Land Rover Repair: Auto box oil leak, article reprints, costly damage

Question
I have a 1996 4.6 HSE with only 25,000 genuine miles. Car drives perfectly well in all respects and around town there is absolutely no problem. However, I took a drive in the mountains (on-road) ona fast and very hilly section driving in either D or 3 and often kicking-down (no abuse and no more than 4000rpm) I noticed smoke billowing from under the rear of the car. On slowing down it disappeared but returned after some more spirited driving. On stopping to check I noticed oil dripping from the area around the back of the transmission and from the tubular crossmember behind the transmission. Driving more sedately the problem did not return. At all times there were no warning lights or messages and the box behaved perfectly. I checked the oil level next day when cold and followed the procedure carefully; the oil level was between the dipstick marks and was perfectly clean. My handbook says to check the oil when cold, is this correct? Thanks.


Answer
You check the oil when cold.  Your leak may not be from the transmission at all, though.  It may be from the transfer case, which must be checked on a service lift.  

Check that out soon before you have costly damage.

Here is a link to magazine article reprints on my web site, some of which may be useful to you.  In particulr I refer you to the article on finding a shop.

http://www.robisonservice.com/articles/RonR_articles.asp

Good luck.

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John