On an AT, where are some locations from which water can infiltrate the transmission? Specifically speaking, on a 1993 Accord.

Can water get in if it's poured directly over the transmission dipstick (with the dipstick sealed in closed position). The reason I ask is because I was reading a car flood guide (because of "Hurricane" Irene) and it said water can get in through the transmission dipstick.

 

Only if it's completely submerged under water. You won't get water in it by just splashing water over it

 

The vent is on the top of the transmission case, kinda where the lower radiator hose goes over. Gotta have water level up to there, and then you'll have all kinds of problems elsewhere in the car.

The dipstick is down much lower, and it's not what I would trust as watertight when submerged. So YEAH, you should worry about it in a car that comes from the east coast in the next few months.

If you actually see water in the ATF in any given car, it's more likely to be a leak in the ATF-cooling lines inside the lower tank of the radiator. That would be antifreeze mixed into the ATF.

 

Yeah but if the vent is on top, how do people clean under their hoods with pressure washers and hoses? Wouldn't residual moisture from the air get into the transmission too and rust it like it does with all of the metal under the hood?

 

I pay attention to ALL the air vents when I clean the engine compartment. Gotta be very careful with a pressure-washer.

 

Any description of what it looks like and where it is exactly? I tried following the lower rad. hose but I couldn't see anything. Is it under the air cleaner hose path? Everything under it was already covered with dirt and oil that leaked out from the engine through the distributor.

I'm beginning to worry that I might have waterlogged it when I cleaned under the hood. I didn't use a pressure washer but I did a light hose sprinkle of water in the region under the distributor when I had the dizzy off of the car. This is because this region was saturated in heavy oil. I also sprayed degreaser before doing it.

Car runs but I have no idea what the symptoms are of getting water in the transmission. Maybe this explains why the car does these weird vibrating fits and the transmission appears to whine? Would I see the water when I drain and fill the transmission or is it going to be absorbed and remain inside? I know some of the fluid is going to be left in the torque converter but I'm going to do more than one drain and fill so should I expect to see some water? I'm assuming it's going to be highly obvious like a separation between oil and water. Or is it going to look cloudy and frothy?

 

If you just washing the engine compartment, it should be ok, the vent hoes is very small to take in much water, except the car is submerged into the water, or you intentionally put the pressure hose right at the vent hose.

 

I had a 98 & the auto-trans vent is #7 in this picture.


I looked for the similar vent in a 1993 auto-trans & couldn't find it. But there has to be a vent somewhere to allow air expansion with temperature.

 

They could have the vent at the trans end cover.

 

Based on what you said about the lower rad. hose and what I read about the vent hose I heard it vent somewhere near the starter. I looked for pictures to see if there were any hoses that ended nowhere and saw one that came out by the starter in smoe pictures. Your picture appears to confirm this is where it would usually be.

I swear I checked this area and like you I found nothing. But as Piggy said there has to be a vent right?

The fluid is due to arrive any day now so I guess I will see what is in it but I doubt anything got in. I didn't pressure wash and I didn't spray with high pressure on the hose either. Just a light sprinkle (like rain drops just run the degreaser off). Of course it could have gotten in but I wouldn't have sprayed the area if I saw some sort of obvious opening.

Piggylover1985: Where is the trans end cover?