How Water Can Get Into Your Transmission
You need to keep water out of your car's transmission, even a little water in the transmission can cause costly problems. To stop water getting into the transmission, you need to know how it gets there in the first place. Here are three common ways in which water can reach your car's transmission system:
Coolant Leaks
A damaged and leaking radiator is dangerous, not only since it can lead to engine overheating, but also because it can lead to transmission damage. Several things can cause such radiator damage, including normal driving vibrations, collisions, and even internal corrosion of radiator cores. It's not just the radiator you should be worried about; damage to any part of the cooling system, such as heater core and water pump, can cause leakage.
Don't forget that coolant is usually mixed in a 50-50 ratio with water. If it gets to the transmission, it can cause transmission failure. This means any damage leakage to the cooling system should be promptly repaired.
Puddles on the Road
Your car's transmission may also be exposed to water after passing through a puddle of water on the road. Even if the puddle isn't too deep, it can splash and reach the transmission system. The more you stay in the puddle, the higher the chances of the transmission getting affected. Water may get into the transmission through the vent usually meant for maintaining an equal barometric pressure inside the transmission.
This is one more reason motorists should avoid driving through puddles. If you happen to find yourself in a puddle, restrict your driving as much as possible until a mechanic checks your car. This is because water damage isn't usually immediately apparent, and further driving will aggravate the problem.
Unsealed Dipstick
Finally, you should also be concerned about water reaching your transmission system via the dipstick tube. The dipstick may channel water to the transmission during engine cleaning, car wash, or even when driving in the rain. Proper positioning and sealing of the dipstick can prevent it from channeling water into the transmission.
Despite your best efforts, there is always a chance that water may damage your car. For example, you may have no choice but to drive in the rain if it starts while you are miles away from any shelter. If this happens, check whether the water has reached your transmission. A transmission fluid appears milky or diluted (you can confirm this with the dipstick) usually indicates water contamination. Don't drive your car if you suspect water damage; have it towed to a mechanic, like Aamco Transmissions & Auto Repair.