Leaking tranny '88 S4
#16
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Don't get me started. I had mine rebuilt last fall. Ive lived life with a drip pan under my car every night since. it appears either my torque converter seal was nicked upon installation( I swear I was so careful) or the pump body o ring is bad. either way Eventually I will get to this and stop the Exxon Valdez. Right now Im dripping about 4 OZ a week. Just enough to make a mess. I put her up on the hoist every Monday and fill her up again.
#18
Drifting
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I Replaced the entire reservoir with new o-ring, so don't think that's it.
There is an O-ring under the yellow cable fitting shown below:
![](https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlist.com-vbulletin/504x675/photo_2b1_26541d0bcd51654119ba08f71d32276b0049ec9b.jpg)
![](https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlist.com-vbulletin/904x675/no_2bo_ring_df0e3999dd3925726f0a25e74407167bc4f645a9.jpg)
![](https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlist.com-vbulletin/904x675/new_2bo_ring_dd8e19717c17a1eead0cae437002aee307d9964c.jpg)
Very common leak. Easy to disconnect cable and replace O-ring when fluid pan is off. I did it with the pan in place and it still wasn't bad, but did require some technique. I did it first by sighting things with a small "mirror on a stick" and then by feel.
#20
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I've "lived life with a drip pan under my car every night" too.
So Jon, what's the yellow cable? I assume my leak comes from somewhere on the top of the unit as after my last effort changing the gasket and oil pan the oil drips on the floor in two separate parts, about the width of the unit apart.
I assume it's leaking from somewhere on the top and running down either side of the trannie.
So Jon, what's the yellow cable? I assume my leak comes from somewhere on the top of the unit as after my last effort changing the gasket and oil pan the oil drips on the floor in two separate parts, about the width of the unit apart.
I assume it's leaking from somewhere on the top and running down either side of the trannie.
#21
Drifting
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Stan referred to a "kickdown" cable on the passenger side, but he and others have often referred to what is shown in my pictures (on the passenger side) as the "Bowden cable". I think the names are used interchangeably. There's more to the function of the Bowden than many think. Stan has explained it well elsewhere. Greg Brown certainly knows...hopefully on of them will chime in. It was leaking a lot on my car because the original O-ring had slipped off the yellow fitting and down into the fluid pan...or so I thought. When removing the pan I found the old O-ring hanging from the lever arm the Bowden cable tugs on. It mostly leaked when parked because that's when the fluid level rises in the pan as the fluid in the TC flows back into the reservoir and pan, and even rising inside the trans case. I swapped in the new O-ring...no more leak.
#22
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Good thread. I have a leaky trans as well. very slow, and leaks after a rebuild.
I plan to drop the pan and replace the filter and gasket, and have the check the surfaces. I also have some leaky rings associated with my reservoir. Any thing else I should check.besides th kick down cabe.. Mine is leaking on the pass side as well.
Finally what about tricks for getting fluid into the tranny. It is a pain in the butt. I have not found a decent pump that works.
I plan to drop the pan and replace the filter and gasket, and have the check the surfaces. I also have some leaky rings associated with my reservoir. Any thing else I should check.besides th kick down cabe.. Mine is leaking on the pass side as well.
Finally what about tricks for getting fluid into the tranny. It is a pain in the butt. I have not found a decent pump that works.
#23
Drifting
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RE refilling trans with ATF. I posted a thread about a method that worked for me. Just a big funnel and hose with the surgical clamp on the end going into the reservoir. There are better ways to do it probably, but it worked well and didn't cost me anything. All stuff I already had. The trick is to fill the reservoir and then start the engine for 10 seconds. Fill again...run engine for 10 seconds...repeat...until you notice not all the fluid got pumped into the transmission. Then it's time to fill it to the low line on the reservoir and run it for awhile and check for constant level (slowly rising as fluid warms and expands). Then drive it.
#24
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Refilling the transmission has become the easy part of my regime. I have access to a hoist at work so once a week I put it on the lift and check the levels. However I've done it at home on my scissor lift and on the ground too. A simple pump put In a bottle of trans fluid and put the top of the pump nozzle in the reservoir.
#26
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#28
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I am also going to assume that the fitting remains on the car, so the last pic is stock.. I have an 88 and did not crawl under yet to take a look, but is my year a Late MY ??