What I thought was a coolant leak in this thread:

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/problems-service-repairs-42/coolant-leak-%40-rear-engine-new-hhr-8556/

is going to be transmission fluid. Got home this evening and smelled it immediately when I got out. Bent down to look and to my horror, this is what I saw:







Admittedly, the third trip to service is only because I mis-diagnosed
the first incident as coolant when it was in fact trans fluid, and they weren't looking for trans leaks.

 

I had been wondering if it might have been trans fluid, hence my recent post about trying to find the trans fluid dipstick (ain't one) because I thought about checking the level for that reason.

I'm used to seeing a darker red coloring in trans fluid and heavier viscosity, I guess is what threw me off the first time. This stuff is very pale and very light weight viscosity... seems pretty watery.

 

That`s ridiculous, how could they have a ride in the service bay and not notice a leak, right in front of their face.
What the heck had to happen, some arrows pointing to the pan.
This really is unbelievable.

 

At least now you know what it is. Please keep us posted. Hope it all works out!

 

I kind of feel that way too, but I did focus them on looking for coolant leaks. However, you would think they would be more thorough (?)

I immediately went and grabbed my camera, to have some pics to show them this time so they don't think I am full of it.

 

Some times it's dangerous to give the dealer too much information on a repair. They purposely miss obvious problems because you told them what needed to be fixed rather than letting them find it. But I'm a frequent victim of "we can't replicate the problem" so I do as much research as I can before I go in. They hate it when I'm right.

 

From the looks of it, the way it is leaking fairly evenly along the length of the entire gasket, I'm going to venture a guess that the pan bolts were never torqued to spec at the plant. Or over torqued and it split the gasket.

 

But that could`ve been, and still may be a costly oversight. And you`re right, there is no dip stick for the trans..
Found that out when another member had to get work done.
Hope the trans. is ok, make sure you keep any doc., because it may come up later.

 

I agree with BB..that is utter nonsense that they did not notice this..let's hope the take care of you with the white glove treatment..any other dealers you can go to if they try to snow you?



Goose

 

I believe this is good advise

For example (on a real situation with a relative), you take a vehicle into the dealer because it's "missing". Don't tell the dealer, "I need a tune-up". When it's finished and you drive out, you notice it's still missing. Guess who pays for the next service to find out what the miss is. YOU TOLD the Service Writer to do the tune-up. ALWAYS tell the Service Writer what the symptoms are. Be explicite and make sure they are written correctly. That way the dealer has SOME responsibility to do the job right.

Oh, and I also believe that the dealer is less than adequate. I would think that it had to go up on a floor lift to look for a coolant leak.....but maybe not, with some dealers.