Minor transmission fluid leak

[aphex]

Turns out the small spots I've been seeing on the garage floor are transmission fluid, not oil (as confirmed when I took my car in for an oil change). Its been very minor for the past 2-3 months and the guy checked my fluids and said my transmission fluid levels were fine, so the leak isn't too bad.

That being said, obviously it will depend on where the leak is, but how much should I be looking at to get this fixed?

 

[Gibson486]

Well...mazda uses that liquid gasket on the 3 (you do have a 3, right?). It could be as simple as the liquid gasket deteriorating over time. That is, if the leak is coming from the pan. Also, no matter how they choose to fix it, you will probably have to pay them to either top the fluid off or just flush it.

If they have to reapply the gasket, they will have to drop the pan. That alone will cost you $100 in labor. If you haven't yet, you might as well tell them to replace the tranny filter if they do drop the pan. That will be another $60 probably. To flush it, you are looking at atleast $250 because the mazda 3 uses expensive MV fluid (it's not Mecron V). Last I saw, dealers sold that fluid at 8.50 a bottle.

If you play your cards right and you know you need the gasket replaced, then just go to a Mazda dealer and tell them to do a complete flush. They should drop the pan and everything and charge you something like $275. However, if you go in there have them diagnose it, they will itemize all of it separately and you will pay more.

If the leak is not coming from the pan....good luck.

Also, are those small spots the residue after the ground has absorbed it? Because if the spots are black like oil, you may be overdue for a flush....