Key Takeaways
The following are the key takeaways from this article:
- The transmission filter is a metal sheet between the oil pan and the flow regulator to filter out the contaminants from transmission oil.
- Dirt, debris, and transmission oil leakage can clog the transmission filters.
- Some symptoms of bad transmission filters include rough shift, transmission slippage, fluid leakage, burning smell, grinding gear noise, noisy neutral gear, and check engine light.
- You can resolve the issue by replacing transmission fluid and filters and disabling the check engine light.
- The cost to resolve a bad transmission filter problem can range between $50 to $2500, depending upon the extent of the issue.
Introduction
Hard shifting and jerky transmission affect the driving experience. So, the drivers are curious about the actual reason causing the transmission to become shaky and hard (1).
One such reason is a bad transmission filter. A transmission filter is placed between the oil pan and the flow tube regulator to filter the harmful contaminants from the transmission fluid.
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However, this filter can become clogged, which will not only starve the transmission components but will also severely damage these components in the longer run (1). This article delves into the symptoms of bad transmission filters and the ways to resolve bad transmission filter problems.
Role of Transmission Filter in a Car
Transmission fluid is important for lubricating the gears and other transmission components. However, dirt particles, metal pieces, and debris can accumulate in the transmission fluid. And when the dirty fluid flows with these particles across the transmission, the dirt/metal particles will clog between different components resulting in wear and tear of the components.
To alleviate this, a transmission filter is present between the transmission pan and flow tube that regulates the fluid pressure. Usually, a filter comprises a metal plate with meshes inside it.
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This prevents the contaminants from entering the transmission system. So, the fluid from the pan flows through this filter before entering the flow tube regulator (2). A rubber gasket seals the filter with the oil pan, and a pickup tube connects the filter with the flow regulator (1). Hence, a transmission filter enhances the lifespan of different transmission components by filtering out contaminants, debris, and other metal pieces.
Causes of Clogged Transmission Filter
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There are two major reasons for clogged transmission filters. The first reason is the dirt and debris deposited in the filter, and the other reason is fluid leakage.
Over time, the transmission fluid will have dirt, debris, and metal particles. Every time the transmission fluid passes through the filter, dirt will build in the filter, eventually causing the filters to clog (2). Another reason for clogged transmission filters is leaks in transmission seals and gaskets. The contaminated fluid entering the transmission system will eventually clog.
Clogged transmission filters can cause several problems, such as loss of power during driving, gear slippage, friction amongst the transmission components, and fluid leakage. Therefore, it is recommended that the drivers replace the transmission fluid and filters at every maintenance interval.
Symptoms of Bad Transmission Filter
Following are a few symptoms of a bad transmission filter:
Rough Shift
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Rough shift is a common symptom of a bad transmission filter. In a rough transmission shift, the gears will shift abruptly or harshly, which can result in an uncomfortable driving experience.
Ignoring the rough shift problem can cause wear and long-term damage to different transmission components. The rough shift can occur both due to low transmission fluid or contaminated transmission fluid (3). Sometimes, transmission filters get clogged, preventing fluid passage to the transmission components. While in some cases, a bad transmission filter can result in the passage of contaminated fluid. The contamination particles (carbon, lead, steel, etc.) can stick between the transmission components impacting their function. In both cases, the driver can experience a rough shift. If a driver is experiencing a rough shift, then it is recommended to stop driving and search for the transmission problem (4). Driving for longer distances with this problem can damage the entire transmission system.
Transmission Slippage
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If you are experiencing deceleration while driving, it can be due to transmission slippage. Transmission slippage occurs when the gear does not hold its position and slips off.
A bad transmission filter will result in the passage of fluid full of dirt and debris. So, the dirt clogged between transmission parts will result in gear slippage or gears not engaging properly. So, there is a chance that when you rev up the car, it results in a loss of power. It can also happen in reverse. The engine might rev up, and the car does not move (3). This can cause severe engine damage, so replacing the transmission filters at regular service maintenance is recommended.
Fluid Leakage
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If you are experiencing drops of reddish liquid below your car, it can be a sign that the transmission filter has gone bad, resulting in fluid leakage. This happens when the fluid does not flow at the desired rate and starts to leak below the car.
However, it is to be noted that transmission fluid can also be due to several other reasons, such as a leaking gasket, damaged transmission seals, etc. Additionally, bad filters will result in the leakage of transmission through the vent tube. Finally, your car might leak transmission fluid while driving in severe cases. So, you will observe liquid trails when you power up the vehicle. In any case, taking the car to a professional is recommended if you are experiencing fluid leakage.
Burning Smell
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Another sign of bad transmission is the burning smell. It is because the fluid-starved transmission will not have enough fluid for lubrication. So, the friction between transmission components will result in a burning smell.
Partially clogged transmission filters will stop fluid flow between different transmission components. As a driver, you will never like a burning smell; if you smell so, stop driving the vehicle immediately (4). In addition, driving long distances with heated transmission will severely damage the gears and other components.
Grinding Gear Noise
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Grinding gear noise will be more common in manual transmission. In case of a bad transmission filter, you will experience hard gears. That is, the driver will face difficulty in shifting the manual gears.
Even if the gears are shifting, you will hear a grinding sound, as if the gears are rubbing against each other hard. Simply put, the driver will both hear and feel hard gears while shifting (5). It is to be noted that grinding gears can be an indication of a worn-out clutch and transmission synchronizer. So, check out the cause of grinding gears before ordering new transmission filters.
Noisy Neutral Gear
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A car should be silent in neutral gear. However, if your car makes weird noises in neutral gear, it indicates a bad transmission filter.
Replacing the transmission filter and fluid is recommended to resolve this problem. If the problem persists, it is a sign of bad suspension, axle, brakes, or other transmission components (5). Firstly, it is recommended to replace the filters to check if the noise persists. The majority of the drivers report that the noisy neutral gear problem is resolved with the change in the fluid/filter.
Check Engine Light
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Another sign of a bad transmission filter is the check engine light. Therefore, it is important to diagnose the actual reason for the check engine light, which can be done by connecting a hand-code reader with the OBDII module of the vehicle.
It will display an OBD code that can be decoded using online platforms. This code will tell the actual reason behind the check engine light. If the code is in the P0600 or P0700 series, the problem lies in the vehicle’s transmission system (4).
How to Resolve Bad Transmission Filter Problem?
Following are a few solutions to resolve bad transmission filter problems:
Recheck the Transmission Fluid Level
The first thing you can do is check the transmission fluid level. The transmission fluid reservoir is placed under your car’s hood near the engine compartment.
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Ensure you check the transmission dipstick instead of the engine dipstick. There is a difference between the viscosity of transmission and engine oil, so check the right reservoir. Along with the oil-level check, check for leakages in the transmission oil reservoir (4). If there is no leakage, top up the reservoir with the fluid and drive the car for a few miles. If the problem persists, then try to consider changing the transmission filter.
Replace the Transmission Filter
Another solution to this problem is replacing the transmission filter. Again, this is straightforward if you have the right tools and expertise in dealing with vehicle components.
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The first step to replacing the transmission filter is to locate it. In most vehicles, the transmission filter is in front of the transmission. It is where the transmission and engine components usually meet. After locating the transmission filter, unscrew it using the right keys and replace it with a new one (5). It is to be noted that transmission filter specifications can be found in the vehicle’s instruction manual. So, do read the manual before ordering the filter. Also, top up the fluid reservoir with fresh transmission fluid for seamless transmission performance.
Disable the Check Engine Light and Test Drive
In case you are experiencing a check engine light sign on the cluster meter without any bad filter symptoms, it is recommended to disable it using a hand-code reader.
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After disabling the check engine light, test drives the vehicle. If there are no symptoms, keep driving the vehicle (5). If the check engine light appears again, take the car to a professional service center to detect the actual issue causing it.
Conclusion
To conclude, the transmission filter is an important vehicle component that filters out contaminants from the transmission fluid. However, transmission filters can become clogged with time, resulting in rough/hard shifts, transmission slippage, fluid leakage, burning smell, and grinding of different gear components. To prevent this problem, it is recommended that the drivers replace the transmission fluid and filter at regular service mileage.
FAQs
It can be checked in the vehicle’s instruction manual. Usually, the manufacturers recommend the drivers replace the filters after every 30,000-50,000 miles. However, this mileage varies depending on the type of vehicle, its transmission condition, and its model year. In older vehicles, the wear and tear of the transmission components are high, so you may have to replace the filters at less mileage.
There are short-term and long-term damages to the transmission components when you drive the vehicle with a bad transmission filter. The short-term damages can be in terms of transmission becoming hard, transmission fluid leaking from the parked car and noisy neutral gear. Whereas the long-term damages can be in terms of permanent damage to the gears resulting in gear slippage, deformed components, increased wear and tear, etc. So, driving with a clogged transmission filter will eventually mean that you have to change the entire transmission system of the car.
Both transmission filter and fluid must be replaced every 30,000 miles/50,000 miles; however, if you have replaced the fluid due to leakage or any other problem before this distance. So you don’t have to replace the transmission fluid with the filter. In this case, you can pour a bit of fresh transmission fluid to optimize the vehicle’s performance.
