Aman

Greetings Club Lexus Users and the experts!

My dear car encountered some problem in the transmission when I was coming back my city. It happened soon after I pushed it up to 100 mph, I heard an abnormal noise and the RPM shoot up to 6500 and I saw smoke in the rear view mirror so I stopped it by the road and noticed smoke everywhere below the hood.

Also, the transmission oil was trailing my car and kept leaking after I stopped and turned off the engine.

So, after the smoke had gone, I started my car back and realized the transmission had stopped working. Putting the shift **** in D or any other place wouldn't move the car and some strange sound, as if some gears are grinding or slipping, can be heard.

I have brought my car back home with help of the emergency recovery vehicle and have not send it to workshop now.

Anyone has an idea what might have gone wrong? I know the transmission would not work without the oil but why did this happen in the first place.

My car had no oil leakages at all and also my coolant temperature was normal and ATF level normal as well.

Your answers will be of great help for me.

Thanks

jo8594

Those VVTI engines are notorious for transmission problems. Sounds like you just accelerated the failure of it by pushing it too hard.

PFB

By your description of the events it's likely that your transmission coolant hose broke. Have a look, and if so fix it. If you're lucky and you stopped the car in time, than maybe no transmission damaged done

Aman

Thank you very much. Do I have to get under the car to see if it is broken or it can be seen over the hood? I will further look up the exact location of the hose.

ES300NZ

transmission cooler hose is (USA) drivers side, between g/box and radiator.
no fluid in system = no movement. It doesn't always mean the box is damaged. (but it could be).
The cooler hoses are low down, and easily damaged. the fluid would hit the exhaust and smoke in a very impressive way.

100 isn't pushing it that hard.

Aman

Thank you for the answer. I will be checking the hoses in this weekend.
I understand 100 mph is not that hard, since I have pushed it much more harder and nothing ever happened.

Hope it is just the hose and things start working back after I fix and refill.

PFB

Just be sure that you refill the TX with the right fluid. In your case it's Toyota type T-IV. It's marked on your dipstick.

Dont use any other type of fluid, or you'll cause TX damage.

Good luck

speedkar9

+1 on the coolant lines.
All other tranny fluids should be self contained within the transmission, so if its leaking, its coming through a missing drain bolt or a leaking pan.

Aman

Thank you everyone. Just want to let everyone know that I had to get the transmission replaced, as it was badly damaged and repairing would cost more than replacement.

Now I have got my car back from repair and it runs smoother and quieter than before.