auzivision

What used to be any annoying drip has turned into an all out leak. It used to be a drop or two a week and is now more like a quarter ounce. Me thinks this need fixed before SITM.

The fluid is coming from up around the TC and it’s presumed to be front pump seal or TC seal. Can these jobs be performed without dropping the tranny? If not, it’s most likely going to the shop which I’m sure isn’t going to be cheap.

LightStriker

TC seal can only be change with the tranny dropped. Sadly. Cost me a LOT to change that damn seal... And the tranny still leak, but much less and from somewhere else undefined.

sidehatch

If your gona get that done,i would do all the other repairs to the trans. that need it.

Cosmo Kramer

Try dumping in some transmission conditioner, could slow down the leak or stop it for the trip to SITM.

Mrmerlin

your fist idea about the leak is probably correct If you do take on the repair make sure to rwplace the front pump seal as well as the radial seal and IIRC there is a new updated B2 piston, and you could prolly go ahead and repalce the front TC bearings and the TT bearings if they have not been done.
The TC drain plug should line up with the bottom opening when the engine is at TDC

auzivision

If my piggy bank would allow it, I’d get the transmission rebuilt as well as the TT and add one of those fancy Constantine clamps. Since these are technically broken at the moment, I’m probaly going to have to pass.

Smaller items like seals, gaskets, bearings, etc. would be okay... probably the B2 as well. I'm hoping for less than $2k total.

Another concern is I’m just starting to batten down the hatch with the stereo install and need to know if there are bolts inside the car will need to be accessed to drop the rear suspension. No sense in sealing that up this week, if it’s going to be ripped apart next week.

goodspeed928

Big J O B just add......

NoVector

Kurt - I was having the exact same problem--along with other leaks. I replaced both cooling lines at the tranny and changed the filter/gasket too. I refilled with Valvoline Max Life "Dex/Merk" fluid (the stuff with the 75,000 odometer picture on the lable) and my TC leak has all but stopped! If nothing else, it's buying me time 'til I can drop all that crap and have it rebuilt.

BTW - I also used a turkey baster and sucked the ATF out of the power steering res. and replaced it with the Valvoline ATF fluid. Seemed to have stopped my steering rack leak too. In fact, I'm thinking about drinking some of the stuff next time I have diarrhea

Mrmerlin

I forgot to add that you should probably replace the flexible portions of the trans cooler lines with the trans out of the car, a good hose shop can do this

auzivision

Thanks for everyone’s input… I’m trying to compile my list for quoting.

For sure replace:
1) Front pump gasket
2) Front pump radial seal (11 inch o-ring)
3) Front pump bushing
4) Torque converter seal
5) Torque converter bearing

Might replace:
1) Flexible cooler lines
2) Upgraded B2 piston and seal
3) Torque tube rebuild (100K believed to be original, no noise)

I just recently replaced the pan gasket and filter. Does dropping the rear suspension mean a 4 wheel alignment is needed? What else am I missing?

Mrmerlin

suggestions.
First the front pump gasket will probably be OK it sticks to the trans housing, if so simply wipe it off and install the front pump ( more damage can be done by trying to scrape the gasket surface than leaving things alone here)
Next the TC bushing( Fitted to the front pump housing) should be left alone unless it has lots of wear make sure to have one on hand as well as the front pump gasket just in case and use some vaseline on the bushing prior to fitting in the TC so it wont seize on startup

auzivision

Status update.

One year after dropping pan, replacing filter, and addding some Tran-X... It's been leak free and shifting great.

Who would of thunk it?

SeanR

Tran-X stopped the TQ seal leak? FugaA, I'm going to have to try that.


*Edit, nevermind, I have to replace my tube anyhow.....

auzivision

Dang thing leak the first five years I owned it…. usually just a drop here and there. I would top it off once a year.

Then it started leaking so much, that I needed to check/fill every couple months. Someone around here tipped me off about Tran-X and figured it was worth a try. I figured I’d be dropping thing sooner rather than later. I even bought a tranny jack just to be prepared.

Now it works... dry as a bone, but it still somehow seems like snake oil to me.

Don Carter

O cool, I thought I was reading a recent thread, then saw the "one year later"... I need to do the tranny fluid/filter anyway and do have some very minor leakage, so this is good news.