Leaking transaxle oil from both sides of case. Seal issue?

The fluid appears to be leaking out of the casing joints. I could be wrong but it looks like the casing has been dismantled and re sealed "possibly due to the rebuild." It does not look like a major issue so I would leave well a loan.

John (Britprius)

 

The leaks have nothing to do with the drain/fill plugs.

Look at the axle shafts which come out of both ends of the transaxle, to see whether oil is leaking at those points. If so, then the seals need to be replaced. Otherwise it would appear that the case is leaking at a seam.

 

The shafts are to the rear of the transmission, and go out to the wheels. However from your pictures the oil does not appear to be coming from that area.
In your first picture you can see the wheel end of one of the shafts going into the large rubber boot to the right of the picture. Following that shaft inwards you will come to another rubber boot that covers the inner CV joint this in turn is fitted into the transmission. Where it enters the transmission there is a seal "one each side of the transmission for each shaft". These seal are often the cause of leaks.

John (Britprius)

 

The leak looks very minor. You will get an idea how much it is leaking from how much staining there is on the floor where it is parked. If little or no staining is found check the level say twice a year maybe after 3 months the first time.
I do not think you will be able to seal it externally, but you could just make sure the bolts are tight in that area.
The transmission works with a slight internal vacuum. This is created by the air in the transmission expanding when the transmission gets hot pushing out through a one way valve on the top of the transmission. When it cools the vacuum is created.

John (Britprius)

 

Yes there is a recommended torque value. I will see if I can find it and come back to you.

John (Britprius)

 

Cover bolts are tightened to 25N-m

John (Britprius)

 

We've got a Civic in the family with a continuously variable transmission, it's underside's looking oily. The leak seems very light, not dripping. I figure to just keep an eye on it.

 

Any chance you can locate the service history for this vehicle and learn if there was a rebuild done on it? The Owners site at New Cars, Trucks, SUVs & Hybrids | Toyota Official Site contains dealer service history if you enter the VIN.

Having had a bad experience with another car where the tech overtorqued and stripped out the oil pan cover bolts (required a trip to the dealership to remedy the situation), I wonder if something similar could have happened here to cause the issue.

Doesn't solve the problem, but could lend some insight.

 

It looks from the picture that the seam is clean at the top of the picture 1. If it’s then problem is around that bolt. If you can’t tell just clean the oil off and then look at it again after some driving.

 

It was a salvage vehicle so it's possible the housing has taken a knock.

John (Britprius)

 

good point

 

get a torque wrench and do it correctly. don't guess and make it worse.

 

Mine has similar leak only on one side, on driver side. Transmission has never been opened. And the drive shaft connection to the transaxle is dry. Am guessing it's sipping through the casing connection there. Do these have gaskets that can be replaced?