leaking tranny fluid

[regalniz]

while driving home today i noticed lots of smoke in the headlights of the guy behind me. when i got home there was tranny fluid leaking from the pan and it had splattered all over the underside of the car. i guess it was hitting the mufflers. there was also smoke coming from the back of the engine when i popped the hood. not a comforting sight. i hope were talking tranny pan gasket here and not something major. any ideas?

 

[vigman]

Lots of idea's

Not enough data to make a guess.. get her up in the air & take a look. 700 r4's NORMALLY leak from the following places.

1) Tranny pan gasket.

2) Speedo cable area.

3) TV cable ( the one connecting to the throttle body to set internal pressure).

4) Front seal ( bad news there ).

5) Rear seal ( not as bad...lotta labor to get to that).

6) To & from radiator.

And that's about it.

Sorry.. but without a picture...no can tell.


Vig!

 

[regalniz]

im gonna take it in to my vette guy first thing in the morn. leak has slowed since i turned it off and let it cool. keep me in your prayers. ill post tomorrow when i found out what it is.

 

[FordNoMore!]

Im praying for ya Brotha,LOL, Regal U sporting a tan top on that Polo Green Machine,?, Good Luck!!!!

 

[regalniz]

yea thats me. tops been down lately with this 65 degree weather.

 

[cntrhub]

One more possible leak to add to Vig's list: The rubber dip stick tube grommet.

 

[regalniz]

i hope its gonna be that simple. i dropped it off today. hes gonna let me know what the story is.

 

[B17Crew]

regalniz,

I had a similar experience with a ‘94 six-speed coupe I had. It turned out to be the “speed sensor” gasket. It produced a lot of white smoke billowing out from underneath the car. It happened with around 50,000 miles on it. From what I remember, it was not a wallet shattering fix, I think it was around $100.00, approximately. Good luck with it!

B17Crew

 

[evolution]

Mine is leaking as well. How much do you think for the front seal?

 

[cntrhub]

Front seal, the big O-ring for the pump cover.......this is just for starters. Now if the torque converter's assembly sleeve is damaged or worn, (which if past serviceable limits, won't repair the leak with a new seal) there's more money. I always say, "Rub two hands together, which one stayed cold?" That's right, if the sleeve is damaged, then the torque conveter's assembly shaft is damaged or worn also. Smart thing to do is change both parts that ride on each other. If not, you now have a new part working with an old part.....soon to fail again. Evolution, my guess would be a base price close to $200, or more in labor, just to R&R the Trans. What they find after that is just a guess?

 

[evolution]

So Im really looking at a new converter and a seal right?

If I need a gnu seal, what is the best one for my application (daily driver, 25 y/o at the wheel in San Diego where the ricers are prevelant), .....mind you I have never had a ticket.

 

[regalniz]

my guy said it was a pump within the tranny. now, i dont know much about anything but he said hes looking at 8 hours of labor. what do you guys think? is this guy jerkin me around.

 

[cntrhub]

For Revolution: Always use OEM GM Parts. Anything else, you're on your own. No, not necessarily a new converter. A trained eye can tell you, and should point the damage out to you. Sometimes simply a new seal, and off you go.
For Regalniz: That guy is pulling chain alright. Trans is on the floor. Pull torque converter. Remove approx 8 bolts. Pull pump body out. Replace pump parts and or whole unit. Relace 8 bolts. Install torque converter. Install Trans. Total time 2 hours. Coffee, donuts and a leak... then back to work....2.4 hours. Done deal. I know professionals that rebuild whole trasmissions in less than 5 hours....including the road test. Find a more reputable/honest shop.

 

[vigman]

Cntr Hub

I'm not sure I agree with your statement.

Assume 2 guys working because you NEED an assistant to be efficent on this kinda job.
Disconnect top side stuff.
Pull exhaust.
Remove I beam.
Remove drive shaft.
support engine.
Drop tranny.
Pull the whole thing apart.
Clean it.
Inspect it.
That's 4 hours right there for 2 guys

Lunch break ( while waiting for new parts )

Put the whole tranny back together CORRECTLY. 2 hours

.. were now up to 6 hours wrench time..

This also assumes these guys are total PRO's

Hell I've spent an hour just TRYING to get a tail shaft seal out!

EVERY TRANNY JOB I HAVE HAD DONE HAS BEEN A 2 DAY ORDEAL MINIMUM!

Not trying to flame here... I just speak from experience..

I'm sure that there are guys out there that make this look like a day @ the circus.. with an amazing High lift act & death defying skills and ..POOF TADA and your car is back in one piece ( and detailed too!)

But I have yet to meet these people.


Vig!

 

[cntrhub]

Vic, "Clean it." Right there is where all the time ticks away. I was never fast working on transmissions myself. I could pull a Suburban 2-W drive 4-L 60-E trans out by myself in slightly less than 15 minutes. I don't think a Vette Trans took me 4 hours to pull it "out" (w/help on the exhaust system only).....ever! SERTA's I could R&R (non-Vettes) about 2.4 a day. You forgot cleaning the Trans oil lines. Just setting up the machine, and cleaning that puppy out spick & span, was close to an hour in itself. I am so glad I don't do those anymore. I did it for 5 years, and went back to twisting wrenches on motorcycles. I'd see horror transmission rebuilds done very quickly. There was no way I would have a "Come Back" on my watch. I took a long time rebuilding the whole Trans, and would set-up the clutch packs like a motorcycle clutch. Very smooth shifts I might add. I was just saying that I know if there are highly skilled Trans mechanics out there, they can do them really quick. No doubt, some items will NOT be replaced. This is where a mechanics reputation begins to take hold. It becomes routine real quickly, and your disassembly speed is more efficient working on these cars day in, day out. I agree with you Vic, 100%. It takes hours to rebuild a Trans correctly. But just (8 hr.) to pop off a seal once the Trans is out, seem a little too high labor wise to me? No flame intended here either.