MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => Maintenance, Problems & Troubleshooting => Topic started by: rajid on March 30, 2026, 16:01

Title: SMT leak, from gearbox or hydraulic?
Post by: rajid on March 30, 2026, 16:01
Hello!

Fairly new to posting here

Just had my car checked over and there appears to be a leak from somewhere around the transmission area

I believe it may be a hydraulic fluid leak but I don't know (I'm not really a mechanic)

Can anyone provide any info on where to pickup the correct fluid for an SMT car?

and also are there any recommended specialists who can find the leak and fix it for my car

Based around North West London, and willing to travel a decent distance if it means getting the right person to check and fix its problems in one go!

I've seen a few old threads and some of them on other forums / facebook. But I don't know if the fluid recommendations are up to date.

I am looking for a source for the right SMT fluid, and also a recommendation for someone to carry out the work to get the car right for a near future roadtrip.

Thank you
Title: Re: SMT leak, from gearbox or hydraulic?
Post by: Carolyn on March 30, 2026, 16:21
Midlands and East Coast MR2;

https://www.facebook.com/p/Midlands-East-coast-MR2-roadsters-61564612102452/?locale=en_GB (https://www.facebook.com/p/Midlands-East-coast-MR2-roadsters-61564612102452/?locale=en_GB)
Title: Re: SMT leak, from gearbox or hydraulic?
Post by: Gaz mr-s on March 30, 2026, 16:46
Toyota SMT fluid, (if you can get it) is stupid-expensive.  DOT3 or DOT4 brake fluid is what is used by the experienced. I had to fix one with the help of the dedicated SMT people on facebook, after it came back 'dead' from a garage on the south coast that had in theory fixed it.

There's a guy called Carl Gommersal in Yorkshire, who can supply used parts for them -f'book group.
Title: Re: SMT leak, from gearbox or hydraulic?
Post by: fawtytoo on March 30, 2026, 18:35
Quote from: rajid on Yesterday at 16:01Just had my car checked over and there appears to be a leak from somewhere around the transmission area

I believe it may be a hydraulic fluid leak but I don't know (I'm not really a mechanic)
The gearbox is like any other gearbox and uses normal transmission fluid. The SMT bits are additive to the gearbox and has its own fluid, but use what @Gaz mr-s has suggested. Genuine Toyota SMT fluid is about £100+ per tin and isn't anything particularly special. Leaks are mostly likely from the GSA (Gear Shift Actuator) from the O-ring seals. @cyclehead on this forum is your top guy for SMT queries.
Title: Re: SMT leak, from gearbox or hydraulic?
Post by: Ardent on March 30, 2026, 18:41
@rajid

This is what the forum still does best.

Serious question, proper informative replies.

When it comes to repairs we start at the cheap end and work up. Could just be an o ring.

We can also help you spend £'000s on modifications.  ;D

Edit.
Good to see another SMT on here.
Title: Re: SMT leak, from gearbox or hydraulic?
Post by: Joesson on March 30, 2026, 20:23
MR2 - Ben are out of stock!
Title: Re: SMT leak, from gearbox or hydraulic?
Post by: rajid on March 31, 2026, 17:30
Thanks guys

I've dropped a note to the cyclehead fella.
Hopefully he can help with some things.

In the meantime, if anyone knows of a garage that's closer to London than about 3hrs away, that could be very handy!

Just to be clear
I am not mechanically minded enough nor clue up or technical myself to carry out any work at home etc.

I just want to find the right person or people who can do this for me, and pay them for their time (and hopefully great knowledge and experience!)

Cheers
Title: Re: SMT leak, from gearbox or hydraulic?
Post by: rajid on March 31, 2026, 17:33
By the way, does anyone have the part number, barcode, or a link to the genuine Toyota fluid?

I am not confident on the brake fluid option, and can't be seen recommending it to any garage incase I then encounter issues relating to using that. For now id rather find the correct fluid if possible and try to keep it topped up (appears to be a soaking transmission area under the vehicle, but have never seen a patch or puddle where it's parked!)

Would like to try and top it up for now at the least, incase there is none/ not alot of fluid remaining in the reservoir.
Title: Re: SMT leak, from gearbox or hydraulic?
Post by: Joesson on March 31, 2026, 19:32
@rajid
As said Mr2 Ben are out of stock but there is a photo of the can,  I can't  label but maybe you can!
How about your local Toyota spares Dept. Or someone like Toyota on line.

https://www.mr2-ben.co.uk/products/711
Title: Re: SMT leak, from gearbox or hydraulic?
Post by: fawtytoo on March 31, 2026, 20:43
Quote from: rajid on Today at 17:33By the way, does anyone have the part number, barcode, or a link to the genuine Toyota fluid?
SMT Transmission Fluid:
Toyota part no. 08886-02206
Title: Re: SMT leak, from gearbox or hydraulic?
Post by: fawtytoo on March 31, 2026, 20:45
Some reading:
SMT maintenance (https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?topic=72945.0)
Title: Re: SMT leak, from gearbox or hydraulic?
Post by: fawtytoo on March 31, 2026, 20:48
Quote from: rajid on Today at 17:30In the meantime, if anyone knows of a garage that's closer to London than about 3hrs away, that could be very handy!
Most garages I know, including Toyota, won't touch the SMT. Dunno why. So I found a garage local to me that was willing to do maintenance providing I provided an "idiot sheet" for them to follow.
Title: Re: SMT leak, from gearbox or hydraulic?
Post by: fawtytoo on March 31, 2026, 20:49
Some videos by cyclehead on YouTube:
Paul Hibbs (https://www.youtube.com/@paulshibbs)
Title: Re: SMT leak, from gearbox or hydraulic?
Post by: Ardent on March 31, 2026, 21:02
This whole smt thread has reignited an itch I need to scratch.

I have only experienced an smt for a very short time, as a passenger, when I met up with @Petrus. (Happy days)

But even in that short time I was hooked.
The smoothness of the shift etc etc lambo Ferrari tech in a cheap as chips little ole toyota.

Ooh the downshifts  ;D
Title: Re: SMT leak, from gearbox or hydraulic?
Post by: fawtytoo on March 31, 2026, 21:17
Quote from: Ardent on Today at 21:02The smoothness of the shift etc etc lambo Ferrari tech in a cheap as chips little ole toyota
Oh the downshift, the downshift!
Title: Re: SMT leak, from gearbox or hydraulic?
Post by: Gaz mr-s on March 31, 2026, 22:28
Quote from: rajid on Today at 17:33By the way, does anyone have the part number, barcode, or a link to the genuine Toyota fluid?

I am not confident on the brake fluid option,

Really peed-off at that response. Do your homework  I googled "what fluid should be used in a Toyota SMT mr2"

2 seconds later I'm seeing 'brake fluid'

FFS...........
Title: Re: SMT leak, from gearbox or hydraulic?
Post by: Ardent on March 31, 2026, 23:06
Quote from: rajid on Today at 17:33By the way, does anyone have the part number, barcode, or a link to the genuine Toyota fluid?

I am not confident on the brake fluid option, and can't be seen recommending it to any garage incase I then encounter issues relating to using that. For now id rather find the correct fluid if possible and try to keep it topped up (appears to be a soaking transmission area under the vehicle, but have never seen a patch or puddle where it's parked!)

Would like to try and top it up for now at the least, incase there is none/ not alot of fluid remaining in the reservoir.
08886-02206