About 169K driven, and another 105-120K being towed (Toad) behind RV's. This is the AWD with automatic.

Due to the towing, I've always done a two year drain and fill, or 20K, whichever came first. Every other time, I do drain/fill/drive 30 mins - and then repeat, for a double flush and fill.

Auto shifts well as always, and heck - the CRV really is mechanically in great shape. Having just gone thru the front and rear suspensions, shocks, new rotor's/pad's and new Michelin's all around too... Cosmetically she's showing her age, but keeps on running so well!!!

Found a few drops where she's parked, and it looks to be transmission fluid. I had a transmission shop with a good reputation get her up on the lift, and they said it's a transmission seal. They recommended dropping, cracking the case and replacing all seals and a bushing like item where the shifting lever penetrates the case. They also said with that 168K on it, and because the labor of dropping and cracking the case was the major costs - to put in a new converter while it was on the bench...

Torn on what to do... About $2.8K for this labor, seals, converter. In now 18 or so old car, with upholstery and painting needed too... So say another $5K. And coming up on the 2nd timing belt (And I replace Water Pumps proactively when everything is open for the belt change., so maybe another $1K. Round off at $9K or so... And we'd have an 18 year old vehicle, with 169K on the odometer. It has it's own personality with a few creaks and groans as you drive it...

It's our 3nd vehicle now, as last year we picked up a 202 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid. Does not get driven very much now...

So I'm trying to decide between three options:

1) Add some AT-205 reseal, and see if it might stop the leak

2) If it does not. Get a drip pan, and monitor the leaking and top off trans fluid as needed. Let things simmer until the 2027 Honda Passport Trailsports come out (I avoid 1st gen model years. Though the 07 was basically a painless 1st year of a new gen!). (We've been off road in the CRV AWD in places is should not have been! But, we want to do more off road exploring (Not rock crawling, but on some of the Southwest Dirt Roadways, and would like higher ground clearance, and the more robust AWD 2nd gen i-VTM4 is would provide more capability, if needed.)

And then worry about a catastrophic trans fluid dumping while out on some dirt road. With banjo's playing in the distance, and no cell coverage, and low on Scotch!

3) Sell the car now (And yes, I would disclose the trans leak on a private sell.) (And no, I would not disclose the leak, on a sell to a used car dealer...). And look for a younger Jeep, Xterra, etc. for the dirt road exploring. Having a Rear Locker would be a plus.)

==========

My wife is tired of me talking things over with her. I myself, am tired of thinking about the different options! Was about to flip a coin to make a decision...

But instead, I thought I'd TMI this group... And get some input!

Best to all,
Confused/Dazed Smitty

 

Replace the leaking CV shaft seal in situation and send it.

I guess it could also be the O-ring that seals the PTO but again that's not a drop the transmission job.

07 CR-V is a timing chain. Zero need to replace it unless you are getting a cam and crank correlation error. Many examples out there well over 350k miles on the original timing gear.

 

LOL! Yep, three other vehicles with 90K timing belts!!! My bad!! And thanks...

I think I'll take the CRV into a 2nd source with a lift, and have them help me look things over. (The place I took it, really does have a good reputation from the 'Internet'. It's a place I've never been before, and I was not able to be with them when it was on the lift to look over as they diagnosed the 'leaking transmission seal' (But no specific's of 'which' seal...) I could probably get under the CRV where it's parked. Flashlight up and see what I can see for the 'source' of the leak (May get lucky!)... But 50/50 odd's if I could 'get back out from under' the CRV at my age!

May still get lucky with ATP-205 Re-Seal... But from reading up on this, that could take a combo of days, and miles driven - to rejuvenate/lubricate failed seals or gaskets... I'll see what that does...

If still leaking. Will get a 2nd source, on a lift, that walks me thru and shows me where the trans fluid is leaking from...

(Drove the CRV today for some errands, and ZERO difference in shifting behavior...)...

Slow but steady on this one,
Smitty

 

Quick update on Leaking Trans Fluid... I went ahead with the AT-205 (Not, ATP-205.). Trans level was just above the low level mark, so was able to add the recommended amount of AT-205. Have about 500 miles since adding, including 220 highway run. The car is now being parked on the asphalt street in front of the home, and it's difficult to determine old leakage (Next door neighbor always has a fleet of vehicles in different running conditions. He's politely apologized for needing to park some of these cars in front of our house for weeks at a time... So, lots of 'stains'.). As I pull away from front of our house, I was getting out each time to look and see if I could see any fresh spotting. At first it was easy to see a a fresh spot, say ping ball size. But as time has gone by, the spots got smaller, and now I'm at a point where I really can't determine if any new drippage/spots are occurring. We're going to pull the CRV into the garage next week, with fresh cardboard, and that should let me determine what's up...

So current status? AT-205 has appeared to reduce, possibly stopped, the leakage...

Smitty