Transmission leak, thoughts?

M

Meister

Registered
Well, I am in the process of replacing my front end (air bags, control arms, tie rods, endlinks, brakes, bushings...) and while under the car I noticed that everything is not 'dry' like I am used to. I always prided myself in a car that didn't leak anything.

It looks like the transmission is leaking out of the TC plug. Last time I had the plug out was approx 12k ago, so I don't think the drain plug in the TC is leaking as it probably would have manifested itself by now.

Which leads me to believe that the front seal of the tranny is leaking....great.

The P/O had the dealer replace the seal once already (back in 2004). The car/tranny has 118k on it. I was thinking about doing the J-MOD soon, but I hesitate now. I don't want to put more money/work into the tranny if I am going to have a problem down the line.

...these seals do they just seep for a long time? Can they just blow out?

...my thought is it would be a waste of time to pull the tranny out, replace the seal and put it back in. Given the fact that it is 15 years old w/ 118k on it. I might as well put together and upgraded tranny and install it.

How hard is it to get the tranny out? Do you guys recommend replacing the seal or budgeting up for a new unit?
 
Hey Doug!! :D Honestly, working at a transmission shop for a few years, I can recommend just pulling the transmission and replacing the seal. If they trans is working/shifting good and there isn't a TON of miles on it, I would just fix the problem. Pulling it is a pain in the rear but if you can do that, changing the pump seal or the input shaft seal is/would be a breaze. That, ofcourse, you can do after you try the Lucas. :)
 
J!

...moving to Sac town now I hear?

When the original tranny in my SHO was starting to give me trouble I put in the Lucas...I did not like what it did. I'm very hesitant to put that in the Mark.

I was reading through the process in my Helms regarding pulling the tranny. Sounds like I'll have to get the Mark up high on the jackstands to slide that tranny out underneath it.

....my SHO's tranny took two people to move, I assume this one is the same? Do you have to have a tranny jack to get it out? Also, how in the world do you get at those bolts ontop of the bellhousing?
 
Yep...house hunting as we speak.

Trust me, you do NOT want to do this transmission on your back. Its possible with long extentions, dealing with rusty exhaust bolts, and spilling fluid all over your head but its best if you have a vehicle lift.

Things to consider if you want to tackle it....

You have to remove the exhaust, you have to either remove/lower the gas tank or drop the diff down to slide the drive shaft out, you have to get the bellhousing bolts off, you have to either remove or most likely damage the EGR tube to get the bellhousing "ear" past it, you have to slide the trans back to clear the torque converter, you have to support the engine and remove/disconnect the steering shaft ALL ON YOUR BACK. Doesn't sound like fun to me. :)

I would have considered doing this myself when I swapped out my engine, but after watching my friend (trans swap guru) do it, twice, I would pass even if you paid me well....unless I had a lift.


Oh....I'm with you on the Lucas...I only use it in power steering fluid.
 
My black Mark has the same leak. I did try the Lucas but it didn't work.

I plan on replacing the seal this summer, it's easy once you have the trans out.:D

That Ear on the trans can be cut off with a Dremel. Just cut through the hole in it, and it will pass right by the EGR tube.

I have done 2 of my transmissions in my driveway, on my back. It's a pain, but it can be done.:)
 
....well, I've had the exhaust off before, and it is a Cali car, I know the bolts move and that they arn't seized. (now that I have said that, I will have a problem with one of them.)

-I have lowered my gas tank several times in dealing with my d-shaft, so that isn't a big deal to get it out.

-I was thinking having the tranny out would be a good time to relace the heater hoses- maybe more accessible?

-My EGR tube/valve ect is new, I replaced it not too long ago. Is it possible to get the tranny out without hurting the tube, then just cutting off the ear when it is out? (i'd rather leave it be, then R&R it....)

Bill, how high did you have to get your Mark to do this in your driveway?
 
They must have changed something in '98, I didn't have any issues with the EGR tube when I R&R'd my tranny.
 
Oops sorry, I didn't use my dremel (you probably could with the right bit though) I used a small pneumatic reciprocating saw. I've also just used one of those hacksaw blades with the little blade holder. It's aluminum so it cuts easy.

This is how high my car was::D

transinstall.jpg
 
Is that Jeremi? I pretty sure...you can tell because he dresses like Niko in GTA4 :p

Thats pretty high though, almost too high because you have to hold your head up.
 
Yes, it has to be that high to be able to slide the trans out from under the car.:)
 
:D

Those are my good friends Scott and Jeremi that were nice enough to stop by for the installation.

I do most of my work on my cars, but there's some parts of doing the trans that you really appreciate an extra pair or two of hands.:)
 
You can do it yourself, but putting the trans back in is easier with a little grunt help.

"Meatloaf" help is always nice. That's someone that is there just to hand you tools and hold things while you are under the car. For me, the hardest part of doing the job is having to constantly get up from under the car, then crawl back down there. That takes up a lot of time too.
 
billcu said:
"Meatloaf" help is always nice. That's someone that is there just to hand you tools and hold things while you are under the car.
Click to expand...

That is a job that I would accel at :D

It would be a step up from "official watcher" but I think I'm ready for the big leagues... :D

:D -J
 
We all take turns being meatloafs. It depends on whose car it is, and who has more experience for the job.

After you did your intake, I'd say you rank well above meatloaf material.:D
 
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