cobalt

I started noticing a drop or 2 of oil on the garage floor after it sits for a couple of days. I had the car up on the alignment rack yesterday and did some investigating. It is impossible to tell were the leak is coming from. It appears to be originating from the top of the tranny. There is oil in several locations but nothing definitive as being a problem. I see oil accumulating around the plug on the left in the blue circle. I don't think this is the cause because there is considerably more oil above. I did not get a clear picture of the oposite side but I am thinking the hose that leads from the front mounted tranny oil cooler were it mounts to the tranny might be suspect. Has anyone ever had this problem? How difficult is it to repair? Must I drop the tranny to fix the problem? I was also curious about the pipe (red arrow). Is this part of the PSD system. It appears to have some oil but does not appear to be leaking. I also noticed that the PSD appears to be activating more often than before and for limited reason.

Mongo

can't really tell from the picture, but is your car an automatic or manual transmission?

cobalt

Sorry it's in the Sig, it's a 5 speed. Can't tell when your on top of it either. PITA as they say.

BTW Stig the new picture is nice but the previous one was killer.

Jim M.

Is the leak coming from the transmission or the PSD system. I have a similiar problem so I serviced the PSD with ATE Super Blue fluid. Now I know it's the PSD system that's leaking. Now I just need to find the source and the time to fix it.

Jim Mayzurk
93 GTS 5-Spd

cobalt

LOL, I wish I knew too.
I think I need to get a mirror up there and see if I can get a better idea. It is definately an oil though. Impossible to get an idea of where it is coming from. I was planning on doing a tranny oil change in September when I do the sway bar install. I think I might have to do a PSD fluid change also. The super blue idea makes sense. I agree it takes a lot of time and I don't mind the minor oil drops I would just hate to find out I am much lower on fluids than I should be.

Mongo

oops my bad on that one Cobalt. I hate manual transmission leaks. Is it possible to get a picture at a different angle of that spot you circled? That hex style bolt I see going into the tranny, is that a bleed screw? There's a lot of blow back oil too that makes it hard to tell where it's coming from alright.

Sometimes the bolts can loosen up and cause a leak. If you can trace it to something similar to that, check the little metal washers on it. My auto tranny has metal washers on the bolts that connect the ATF cooling hoses. One decided to vibrate loose one day causing my car to drip ATF and sending me on a looney trip

cobalt

The Hex bolt has clean oil around it which may be an issue. That is easy to take care of. There is however a large amount of oil around the top of the tranny. I don't think the oil travels upwards. As you can see the rubber boot on the other side also has oil on it and above it. So I would have to assume it is coming from above and leaking down over these components.

Mongo

I'd assume blow back. However that amount and gravity would prove that theory wrong. I've never really looked at the top of a manual transmission before. Methinks someone with the tranny out on their car may be in a more familiar ground on this one, I just drive an auto

v-tach

cobalt
you ever find out where the leak was coming from ? i have a similar one in mine..
thanks
v-tach

cobalt

Yes, the leak is very slight coming from the rear seal. It is a very small leak that only occurs when the car is moving. It splashes around and makes a small mess but never leaves more than a few drops on the garage floor. I have been told that so long as I keep an eye on the level it is not a problem more of a nuisance.

When I need to do a clutch or other work I will take care of it otherwise it seems to be under control.

Marine Blue

Anthony,

Mine has also recently sprung a leak after the drive to Frenzy. I noted it on the garage floor where it is being stored. I checked the last garage and it is spotless so this is definitely a new leak.

Anyone know which areas are prone to leaking? The car has lower miles so I wonder if all the newer miles are starting to bring new leaks. Unfortunately the car is now in VA and I'm in MA so I won't have a chance to look for the leak until December. I would like to try to narrow it down so when I'm in VA I can diagnose and repair it before the spring. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Are any parts prone to wear after a given amount of miles.