MikeVicksDog

i have a 1996 Laredo that had low tranny fluid so i added some, to my surprise it took 3 qts, well just to be safe i checked it again 2 weeks later and it is now 3 qts low again. But i have no leaks in my driveway? where could the fluid be going? my antifreeze looks new still ? any help would be appreciated.

dave1123

As far as I know, jeeps don't use a vacuum modulator for shift points and my experience is that's where this problem comes from. On the older cars that had a modulator, the diaphragm would rupture and the fluid would get sucked into the engine and burned. Just for grins, check your transfer case and see if it's overfull. This used to be a problem with the Chevys with the New Process t/cases. Jeeps have a drain hole in the adapter and the Chevys didn't, but who knows?

MikeVicksDog

Funny , first thing i thought of was the vacuum mod. but i didn't see one on the jeep so i figured they didn't have them. And i checked the transfer case and everything looked up to par. i am so lost on this issue lol.

SteveMongr

Transfer case? I thought it was 2WD

MikeVicksDog

you are right sir, i meant the torque converter . Have not had my coffee yet

rangermonroe

check the two lines by the radiator and surrounding area for "wetness". I have found that as the hoses decay, they sometimes need a twist on the clamps/replacement of hoses to quench a thirsty transmission.

SteveMongr

What transmission is this, AW4 ?
The lack of visual leak from three quarts defies logic. With that said, the logical place is the rear seal to driveshaft. When leaking there it does not run onto drivshaft but instantly gets flung outward and splatters transmission tunnel.
The heat exchanger inside radiator is another potential possibility, but you say the coolant looks good.
And there is the bell housing. If the front seal is leaking it pools in bottom of housing. Upon driving, fluid drips out, gets flung out or evaporated. Maybe remove an inspection cover for a look. There would be residue in the bell housing.
Otherwise another member had a good idea with the cardboard and letting it idle. Also, hold brake and shift into each gear and back to P then have a look underneath.
The Gopro may not be able to see the fluid if it is being misted or fogged out from somewhere due to airflow when driving.

Firestorm500

44RE: The 44RE four speed automatic transmission was used in 1996 to 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokees with 5.2L engines.

42RE: The 42RE four speed automatic transmission was used in 1993.3 to 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokees with 4.0L engines.

AW4 was only used for a little while very early in production on 4.0 only.

SteveMongr

Thank You! Hopefully the same principals of my above post are valid with these other transmissions.

MikeVicksDog

i will give these recommendations a shot when i get off today , i will report my findings lol. also i have the 42RE trans.

dave1123

If I recall correctly, my 97 with the 42re had hydraulic "B" nut fittings on the radiator cooling lines with swagged-on rubber flex sections near the engine. What happened with mine was the steel sections along the oil pan vibrated and wore thru under a clamp, dripping under the engine. I found a ZJ in the junkyard with a brand new set on it and took those. I think a new Mopar set was $80. I thank whoever took the radiator out of that one because he unscrewed the lines rather than cut them. Nice guy.

I just checked and Rockauto has them for $14 for the set.

rangermonroe

If it is leaking from the pump/input seal, or the cooling lines by the transmission, it will drip off the bottom of the bell housing. Directly onto the exhaust pipe. You would presumably notice the cloud of fog following you, and the gasping folks vulgarly gesturing as they passed.

dave1123

If that's the case, you should notice your hatch has a slimy feel.