1995 sidekick JLX transmission relief valve

Diane R · 09-23-2009, 03:42 PM

I have a 1995 Sidekick with 100k. After a drive up a long hill (I'm not towing anything or hauling anything heavy) a small amount of transmission fluid blows out of the relief valve. I've had the transmission flushed, the lines checked for blockage and new transmission fluid installed. My mechanic is recommending installing an axillary cooling system for the transmission. If my understanding is correct, the cause for the problem is that the radiator does not cool as well as it used to. The transmission is working fine. Has anyone had this problem or are Sidekicks/Trackers known for this problem? I'm trying to verify that the additional cooling system will fix the problem.

aquanaut20 · 09-23-2009, 08:11 PM

First I would check the temperature of the tranny fluid while running.
What is your actual engine temp when this problem exists?

IR temp? engine, top of rad, bottom of rad.

Diane R · 09-24-2009, 08:13 AM

Aquanaut20,

The engine temperature gauge stays in the normal operating range when climbing a long hill. When I first noticed the problem (The transmission fluid burns off, so I got a nice cloud of white smoke) it was a very warm day, around 85 degrees. I had a large cloud of white smoke when I parked at the top of the hill, initially, I thought the engine was overheating. I took it to the top of a hill again and parked after the transmission flush and new fluid installation. This time outside temperature was around 70 degrees. I still had some transmission fluid burning off, but a very small amount.... no big white cloud this time, just a small amount of smoke that I had to open the hood to see. Cooler temperatures are coming here in Pennsylvania, so I'm thinking that when it's 30-50 degrees it won't happen. I will ask my mechanic if he can check the other temperatures as you suggested.

Diane R

kick-fix · 09-24-2009, 02:08 PM

im gussing , dont really know what tranny you have.
3sp or 4sp, the 3sp has a vac modulator
the 4sp no .

vac,modulator is cracked, (remove vac hose, see it drip. do a leak down , see it fail?)
at the mod valve on side of tranny.

dont know any relief valve on outside of a tranny. huh? (edit, its the beather.)

point to relief valve.?

aquanaut20 · 09-24-2009, 02:20 PM

Thanks Jerry,

That was my next stop, just wanted to check that she was not cooking the Tranny.

kick-fix · 09-24-2009, 11:38 PM

yes, cooking check is always #1 , just was wondering that relief valve , thing.

no location, stated.
nome Alaska
or
Mesa Arizona 120F in shade.

Diane R · 09-28-2009, 01:45 PM

Some more info:

After the first time I saw the white smoke, I had a look at the transmission fluid. It was still a nice red color, it did not look burnt.

I live in Pennsylvania, when the problem first happened it was about 85 degrees.

My mechanic cleaned the engine compartment and drove it up a hill (a smaller one than the one that caused the cloud of smoke) and could not duplicate the problem and did not see anything leaking. He flushed the transmission and checked for blockages and replaced the fluid. After that work was done, I drove it back up the hill that makes it smoke and opened the hood. I could see fluid dripping out of the relief valve (the two tubes under the distributor cap) and onto the exhaust pipe below.

I couldn't find any pictures of the modulator on the tranny, so sorry if this is a dumb question (Maybe I am looking at it and thinking it is the relief valve). If the modulator is cracked or leaking could it cause the relief valve to open up?

kick-fix · 09-28-2009, 06:39 PM

yes, the breather tube (only 1 there is not 2) is throwing Dextron ATF.
(its overfilled or it foaming because some one put some crazy additive it it) [ id bet not]

the smoke is not coming from the end of the tail pipe its coming OFF the outside of the tail pipe (header)
big difference this is.

that is an air vent, the top cap is just shield so water (splashes) can just fall down the vent.
or some major failure in side cause it to be foamy or turbulent. (possible)
the tranny must beath, the fuild expands when hot and most NEVER pressurize the case. (or the seals will leak)
make sure the that breather end devices is not clogged up.; it is just a piece of plastic , (toy like)

are you sure its that tube or the infamous DIZZy base gaskets cracked.
o-ring here always cracks and squirts on to header.

4speed drawing, dont know for sure what tranny you have 3sp or 4sp.?
i guess JLX = 4 doors = 4speed..

Diane R · 10-01-2009, 03:12 PM

I can rule out the transmission fluid being overfilled and you are correct, no additives.

It is a JLX..... 4 speed.

I'll check into the possible clog of the breather tube vent and bad gaskets and o-ring.

I don't think that I have a major problem inside the tranny. I don't hear any unusual noises and it seems to be working normally. (I own the Sidekick for about 10 years). The only time this happens is on a very long hill on a very warm day.

I appreciate your help and suggestions.

kick-fix · 10-01-2009, 05:32 PM

no red drips of ATF on floor?, just exh collector outside burn off is your only issue?

clean back of block / head and drive and look.