mystery of corolla differential runs dry

Jack · 2005-09-02T01:28:25+00:00

My father's 97 corolla with the 3 speed transmission recently develop awhine. Drove it to my usual mechanic where he suggested to try changeboth the oil in the tranny and the differential to see if it helps.(this transaxle has a seperate differential drain plug). The tranny wasdrained first and the fluid looked and smelled okay. Then he open upthe drain plug of the differential - I could not believe my eyes thatonly a few drops drained out, it was almost dry !My question to the group is : how can the differential run dry withoutmy father noticing any leak ? I am very sure there is no stain on myfather's drive way, where he park his car 99% of the time. Where wouldhave the oil gone ? I was thinking of the drive axle oil seal but mymechanic said it looked okay.Last time the car had the transmission and differential oil change wasabout one year ago at the same shop. I am thinking if my mechanicforgot to fill the differential during the last change, how could theunit went one year a few thousand miles without blowing up ? Actuallyaccording to my dad the whine only developed in the last few days.Any suggestion about what could have caused the leak ?

Sep 02, 2005 23 Replies

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Comboverfish 20 years ago

You have an A245E transaxle, which does infact fill completely from the dipstick. Depending on the year and application, that trans may have a differential drain plug, but it still fills from the dipstick.

Toyota MDT in MO

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James C. Reeves 20 years ago

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st-bum 20 years ago

Thank you very much.

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questzero 12 years ago

Hello, I was wondering where exactly would the A245E labeling be located on the transaxle?

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