Aloysius

Hey folks, i have an 83s AT with 2 leaks that i'm wondering how common they are and what the collective opinion is on what to do for each. Here's the scoop:

Leak 1 - looks like oil from the bell housing behind the motor where the flywheel is and the forward connection of the TT. i'm thinking rear main seal of the engine...

Leak 2 - AT fluid leak from between the Torque Converter and the Transmission Case. it drips out from that housing somewhere.

Both are fairly consistent leakers for a little bit after a drive, each leaving about a 2" dia. puddle on the garage. I purchased the car a few months ago and just finished a new gasket and AT fluid change / flush and added a little BG AT fluid conditioner on the refill - we'll see if that make a difference..

TIA for your contributions.

-Paul
83 928s AT 'Aloysius'
95 850 Turbo Wagon 'Kermit'
07 Ford Focus 'Elmo'
(it all makes sense to my 6 year old...)

Landseer

Oil leak: The easiest fix near the rear of the 83/84 motor is the camshaft covers, up high, both sides, 3 holes in cover, 2 10mm bolts in those holes, not 3. Replacement gasket can be cut with exacto knife from standard thick material. So before you start, check the oil pathway again and see if this could be your culprit.

Rear main is also possible, behind flexplate (not flywheel). We need the experienced folks like Mr. Merlin and others to tell us if Torque Tube needs to be removed for this rear main seal replacement or not. I've not done it yet on an Auto 84 (have on a manual 84).


Trans leak: Am working a similar sounding leak now on an 84 auto (same as 83)/ There are Orings and seals in the vicinity that can be replaced inexpensively. Whole Mercedes Benz/ Porsche sealing kit costs about $70 from Roger(Rog100). Similar, from other suppliers.

For me, I will drop rear suspension (easy, they say), then carefully pull tranny backwards from torque tube and drop tranny for the fix. I will also reseal outer case appendages of tranny, and replace torque converter bearings ( 2 at about $30 each) while in there. Also plan on replacing CV joint rubber. Need to do this stuff to pass VA inspection.

I know this doesn't solve your problem in a surgical sense, but might help you.

Paul, in my never ending quest for culture, what does "Aloysius" mean?

SharkSkin

Bill Ball has a writeup for replacing the RMS on an S4 auto -- I imagine it's mostly applicable to your car: http://www.billsworkshop.com/P928S4/seal/seal.htm

Sealing the transmission is a bit more involved. Bill, Matt, Steve B and I did a TT and input shaft bearings on an automatic S4 without dropping the trans, but it was a big PITA. Thread here.

I think you're better off dropping the trans and re-sealing it -- maybe get a higher-stall converter as some have done -- also rebuild the TT WYAIT. With the TT out the RMS should be gravy.

Mrmerlin

Hi Paul #1 leaker, Roger has new silicone gaskets for the rear of the cam housings if you use these dont over tighten them.
If the RMS is leaking then you will have to remove the flywheel to do this job that means things will be easier of the TT is removed so you can remove the flex plate and the flywheel.
Since the TT is out of the way, now is the time to rebuild it.

Leaker #2, the most likely leaking point in the trans besides the pan,( Dont over tighten the pan bolts, only about 6 ft/lbs the gasket will split) is the front pump O ring, this is an O ring thats about 14in. in diameter ( front pump sits behind the torque converter) also you would replace the torque converter radial seal and make sure to add some vaseline to the bronze bushing behind the radial seal so the torque converter wont seize on the bushing
The other leaking point are the fluid lines, if they look original now is the time to remove them and have new lines crimped on as they run along the TT.
Also you should consider removing the torque converter bearings and replacing them............ Lots of stuff . but when your done the car will go for another 20 years B4 it need more attention.

Aloysius

Wow! Thank you all for the quick replies, great to have this community around. All good things to consider and much of it i suspected - except for the cam housings - need to check that one (thanks to MrMerlin and Landseer)

And Sharkskin, thanks for the link to the Bill Ball article - that's a super one! i'm sure i have the same task ahead of me (TT rebuild, RMS, etc.) i'm thinking that while it's all out (Tranny, TT, etc.) the seals and bearings just aren't that expensive and like MrMerlin says, the car will be good for many moons to come.

MrMerlin - thankfully my past mechanics experience taught me the value of a good torque wrench. i did the pan gasket and filter on the tranny a few weeks ago and i'm finding that someone really overtightened things on this car - good to bring it back into spec...

all great input and food for thought as i'm coursing through the to do list on Aloysius - helps me to sort out what he really needs. for those wondering, Aloysius is Mr. Snuffleupagus' first name - hardly high culture, unless you consider Sesame Street high culture (and it's far off from any shark association). My 6 year old has a knack for naming our cars and they seem to stick. When she first saw the rauchquarzmetallic car with the low growl she exclaimed: "it's Mr. Snuffleupagus!!!" - She calls him 'Snuffy'. Aloysius just sounds more sophiticated... Fun!

Thanks Again!

-Paul
83s AT 'Aloysius'
95 850T Wagon 'Kermit'
07 Ford Focus 'Elmo'

Mrmerlin

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tlsmith1999

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SeanR

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Mrmerlin

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