Transmission leak or oil or? Photos... Please help

What does "fast leak" mean? Checking oil level on Transmission fluid is next step if you're certain it's not coolant...

 

If you can purchase some transmission fluid. Open the fill hole. Try to add some. IF it doesn't immediately start dripping out it's probably transmission fluid leaking. The fill hole is at the full level as I understand...

REVVL V+ 5G ?

 

Just sniff the fluid to determine

 

^agreed. If you already know what ATF and motor oil smell like, this will take 30 seconds to solve. But if you don't know what they should smell like, it doesn't do any good.

There is no ATF pump in a Prius. The fluid is not pressurized or moved around other than displacement of the gear/MG assemblies.

However there is an engine oil pump. When the engine runs, some of the oil is pressurized and pumped through the engine, eventually returning to the sump.

If the leak changes rate when the engine is running, I think you're dealing with an engine oil leak.

 

Stick a finger in it or some other object... Proper trans fluid level is bottom edge of that hole. Hopefully it's as simple as accessible bolts that got loose and you can fix it by tightening them. If not, next step is to monitor the rate of loss and keep it topped off and start saving up for repair. If I were you and if I could afford it, I'd use it as excuse to replace with a low mileage Gen 4 engine so you don't have to worry about the known issue of early Gen 3 blowing head gaskets, as well as burning oil.

 

a drop every 3 to 5 seconds.....can this be from your AC?

I can't imagine oil or transmission fluid leaking under your car, it just looks really clean. If there's a persistent leak, the undercarriage of your car would be caked with this oil.

 

It’s trans fluid I can see the red. If it was me I would get a can of carb cleaner and hose the suspected are off so it’s clean. Take more pics. Do you have the iPhone photo magnifier app that would really help.

you sure it’s not leaking out of the seal where the cvt axle enters the trans
And running down to this bolt area? That’s a common leak area if the cvt axle not installed well or damaged.

very rare to have a trans leak there at that bolt.

I wonder if the engine was replaced?

Have you tried tightening the bolt? I would use a 1/2 in ratchet. It’s a big bolt
Pretty high torque.

What’s your ownership history with this car?

 

maybe the fill plug fell out.

 

If it’s dripping at a fast rate, you should be losing lots of oil. If your oil dipstick level still shows full, then it’s transmission fluid. There is no dipstick for that.

one of the more common areas for transmission oil leak would be from the axle seals, particularly the driver’s side seal.

 

When I've changed the fluid in my Gen 2 transaxle, I normally see a bit of vacuum when I remove the plug. You can hear it. I wonder if the vent on your transaxle is clogged/stuck and you're experiencing a pressure buildup in your transaxle, which is pushing fluid out of the front seal or something similar

 

Hey Fried that plate is an inspection plate for what usually is the flywheel in a car but in this car its a clutch throwout like plate with dampening springs to dampen and smooth out the trans/engine connection. Just to remove the engagement shock of the trans powering the engine. There is no harm to take that plate off with its 2 bolts and do a look see in there.
Very interesting issue have not seen that on this site before. if its leaking out of that plate area that's crazy. And the trans has failed.

Whats the deal with this car is it used or is it a salvage title, or did you buy it new? Was the engine replaced they usually replace the engine/trans as a unit.

If used run a carfax on it. See what your up against.