Hello everyone,

after sitting for about 3 weeks (I was on vacation) I found a small puddle of oil under the tranny. This is the first time that any oil leaked anywhere.

After reading the archives I decided that the culprit is most likely the gasket and since I have no idea when the last oil and filter change was done (don't trust the PO) I bought everything needed to undertake the task.

I could never really see the level before, but now the car is off the ground and level and I'm under cleaning things up. To my surprise, I don't have the little glass bottle that you all describe. All I have is a solid brass tube with no sight glass or markings. When I remove it I find what appears to be a brass valve. This is on the front right side of the pan, between the tranny and converter.

I see nothing else that could give me an idea of the oil level.

What am I missing ?

Thanks all for your help

Paul

 

Hi Paul,

There is a white plastic rectangular reservoir on the right rear of the transmission. On top is a fill cap about 1.5-2 inches in diameter, probably red. The reservoir is covered by a shield on the right side and underside.

 

Thanks Thom,

I just found it <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
It's amazing how things can look different when you're on your back under the car

This brings me to another problem. Ever since I found the puddle, I assume that the level is too low of course. I found that shifting from 2nd to 3rd, the whole car shakes. If I easy up on the gas, the tranny does shift and everything smothes out.
Is this a sign of a more serious problem?

Paul

 

Hi Paul,

Glad to help! That white plastic was camouflaged better than a sniper when I started looking around under there. I have cleaned it up very well now.

There is a vacuum modulator on the other side of the transmission that can regulate shift force. It may be shot or misadjusted. Being vacuum controlled, the rubber diaphragm can be bad. The vacuum hose can be disconnected at either end. The feed for the vacuum beneath the brake booster can be disconnected. In that case your environmental/heat and a/c will not work properly. I just replaced my modulator, and am not sure I have it adjusted right yet. Search the archives for more discussions on that subject.

I am using Mobile1 synthetic ATF now. It may help to smooth your shifts some. My Porsche certified mechanic convinced me to use synthetic fluid.

If you find that the torque converter is the leak source, try some Valvoline transmission stop leak before you even think about pulling the transmission.
<img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

 

Paul,

If your transmission is leaking, it’s probably the cause of your 2-3 shifting problem. While the car is up in the air, you should service the transmission by dropping the pan, changing the filter, and replacing the rubber gasket around the oil pan.

Fill the transmission using a siphon gun. The fluid level should be between 0 max and 0 min on the plastic reservoir. While your there, it’s a good idea to remove the reservoir and clean it. So the levels can be more visible. When filling, the car should be level and hot running in park.

I am not an advocate of transmission stop leaks. Since all they do is swell the rubber seals. By stopping a front seal leak, you may be creating a more expensive full rebuild problem.
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

 

Yep,

I do agree with Steve about the stop leak to a degree. That is the last thing I would try before pulling the transmission. If you pull it, the expenses skyrocket. What seals do you replace in the Torque Converter area? The pump is right behind the Torque Converter (TC). There are quite a few levels of likely suspects in that area. About the only simple TC area leak to fix is the crush ring on the drain plug. I still cringe when I think about ever pulling the rear suspension, and exhaust to get the transmission out again.
<img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

 

Paul and Steve,

Steve could be right that the rough shift is caused by a low fluid level. He gives good advice. Take his advice, and try one solution at a time. If that does not work, look into the vacuum modulator.
<img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

 

Thank you Thom and Steve,

I have the filter kit all ready to go. I certainly hope that a fresh filter and oil will do the trick. I'll do the differential while I'm at it.

The weird thing is that the tranny never leaked before but ever since that vacation, if I leave the car sitting for 3 or 4 days it starts dripping again. As soon as I drive, it stops for the next week.

Thanks again guys, I'll keep you posted.

 

On two occations that I didn't drive the car for a couple weeks and left it parked on my slightly inclined driveway, there would be a puddle of trans. fluid growing in the area below the plastic fill tank, also the time I had the front up high on jackstands doing some front end work, it only took three days to start leaking. I have heard that this occurs when the fluid drains down from the torque conv. and comes out a vent or breather, I don't know if this is true but I do know it wasn't from my trans. oil pan. Under normal conditions, driven every few days, it's never leaked.

 

Eric,

You are right. Long duration front elevation will spill oil out of a vent hole.
<img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />