Freaking transmission leak! Any suggestions?

[hatrik8]

I've been messing with a leak for sometime now. I replaced my transmission pan with a TCI pan and used a rubber gasket. It seemed to be leaking from the gasket just a little bit, so I replaced the gasket with a cork/fiber type gasket. Then it ended up leaking worse than the rubber gasket. I got it up on a lift today and tightened down a few bolts that felt a little loose and it was hard to tell where it was coming from. I added a little gasket to the drain plug area and now it's still leaking. I can't quite pin point it. It's definitely towards the back of the pan somewhere. Is there something towards the back besides the gasket that would leak? I can't get this thing to stop. It's getting annoying and discouraging! I'm about to take it to a shop. :rant:

 

[Robert Lone]

Re: Freaking transmission leak! Any suggestions?

Maybe the T-case gasket???
Speed sensor???

 

[KETCH-UP]

Re: Freaking transmission leak! Any suggestions?

I had similar symptoms a while back, and it turned out to be the dipstick boot. Good Luck!

 

[Captain Morgan]

Re: Freaking transmission leak! Any suggestions?

cork gaskets = worst idea ever

get yourself a thick cardboard gasket that usually comes with filter kits, then use a small amount of anti-seize compound *the silver stuff you put on bolts) and use a small amount covering both sides of the gasket, then install and torque the bolts to the recommended specs. If you feel there may be a problem with your threads or the bolts loosening on you, use a drop of green or blue locktite on the pan bolts.

If the pan gasket was infact your problem, that should fix it for good.

 

[hatrik8]

Re: Freaking transmission leak! Any suggestions?

Where is the speed sensor? Does that have a gasket or something? Do you have to drain fluid to fix that?

 

[Captain Morgan]

Re: Freaking transmission leak! Any suggestions?

Where is the speed sensor? Does that have a gasket or something? Do you have to drain fluid to fix that?

speed sensor is in the transfercase, its the 2 wire sensor on the side.

 

[Robert Lone]

Re: Freaking transmission leak! Any suggestions?

speed sensor is in the transfercase, its the 2 wire sensor on the side.

I guess I gave some bad info.

Mine is at the rear of the trans.

Just another FU... :tup:

 

[SY2932]

Re: Freaking transmission leak! Any suggestions?

First, do you still have the torque inspection cover on your truck? If so, did you grind the front to clear the cover? Some trucks need to have this done for proper fit.

"Cast TCI transmission pan, holds two additional quarts. Filter is supported by the four pins cast in the bottom of the pan. Front of pan *may* have to be trimmed to clear TC inspection plate (mine did)."

Second, did you use the suppied hardware than came with the pan? The TCI pan is much thicker than the stock pan. And needs longer bolts to secure it. If you reused the stock bolts, you aren't going to have much thread holding them in. Attempting to torque them tighter will result in stripped threads in your transmission case...

 

[ty166]

Re: Freaking transmission leak! Any suggestions?

i chased a trans leak for months, did pan gasket many times and everytime it looked like the pan gasket leaking. it ended up being the seal around the detent cable leaking and running along the top edge of the pan gasket all the way around the front of the trans and leaking at the left front corner on the pan. something worth checking.

 

[hatrik8]

Re: Freaking transmission leak! Any suggestions?

I did grind down the front of the pan to clear the torque converter cover and used the hardware from tci. It seems like it's coming from somwhere towards the back of the pan because the front is dry. When it drips it runs down the fins and looks like it's coming from the drain plug, but I just put a gasket around the drain plug so I feel 90% that's not possible. I can't tell if it's the gasket or something else.

 

[Robert Lone]

Re: Freaking transmission leak! Any suggestions?

Post up some pics....

 

[George Blake]

Re: Freaking transmission leak! Any suggestions?

clean it up. Degrease it. Spray a little brake parts cleaner on it and then compressed air. Dry it really good. Let it sit. Whereever it's leaking from then, you can easily trace.

 

[hatrik8]

Re: Freaking transmission leak! Any suggestions?

Is there a gasket on the governor cover? Also would it hurt to put thread sealant on the trans pan drain plug?

 

[Tooky]

Re: Freaking transmission leak! Any suggestions?

The governor cover actually *DOES* use a sealant per the service manual. I put a bead of RTV around the flange and it stopped my governor cover leakage. My built trans came with a rubber o-ring seal but it was obviously not enough.

 

[ed hess]

Re: Freaking transmission leak! Any suggestions?

clean it up. Degrease it. Spray a little brake parts cleaner on it and then compressed air. Dry it really good. Let it sit. Whereever it's leaking from then, you can easily trace.

like george said but add an extra step to the procedure.... spray foot powder on all the areas... you would be amazed how much easier it makes to spot the source.

 

[ircwet]

Re: Freaking transmission leak! Any suggestions?

like george said but add an extra step to the procedure.... spray foot powder on all the areas... you would be amazed how much easier it makes to spot the source.

Also gives it that fresh scent, while your working on it :rotf:

 

[hatrik8]

Re: Freaking transmission leak! Any suggestions?

NJ93TY had a good tip...

Hey, go back to basics. Drain the fluid and start over when adding fluid. Go slow and make sure you add the proper amount. I had a trans leak once and I literally pulled my hair out for weeks trying to figure it out. Well after taking it to a local shop it turns out I have the level overfilled and it was coming out the overflow spout on top of the transmission. I felt really dumb afterwards and the shop was right, it was overfilled. I thought it was my pan gasket too. I was also running a transmisison cooler and it takes a while for the fluid to get hot and thats when you have to check it. When its hot and up to operating temperature. I know it sounds dumb but thats what happened to me so I am wondering if maybe this is happening to you too. But before draining the fluid again I would clean the trans real good before refilling the fluid and recheckign the level. Hope this helps, Nick

 

[hatrik8]

Re: Freaking transmission leak! Any suggestions?

Well I finally had the time and space (now that I have a garage and it's warmer) to get it up on some jackstands and take a look at it. It seems like it is leaking from the gasket towards the back.

I bought a cork gasket and also am going to remove the torque converter cover. I am going to clean it off and see if I can tell exactly where it is leaking, but I know it is from the gasket somewhere because everything else above it is dry. I also know it isn't over filled because I am halfway down on the operating range when I pull the dipstick in P with the engine warm and running.

Just thought I would update the thread and hopefully next time I update it the problem will be gone.

 

[hatrik8]

Re: Freaking transmission leak! Any suggestions?

The baby powder/foot powder did the trick. It helped track the leak down easy. The drain plug is definitely leaking. Also it is leaking a little at the gasket. I bought a new gasket by mr. gasket. Going to give that a try since I've tried all other kinds of gaskets.

I tried removing the tourque converter cover, but it won't come out without removing the propshaft, so I'll just leave it for now. Maybe I'll remove it when I upgrade to a heavy duty propshaft.

 

[Windedv6]

Re: Freaking transmission leak! Any suggestions?

NJ93TY had a good tip...

NJ93TY had a good tip...

Quote:
Hey, go back to basics. Drain the fluid and start over when adding fluid. Go slow and make sure you add the proper amount. I had a trans leak once and I literally pulled my hair out for weeks trying to figure it out. Well after taking it to a local shop it turns out I have the level overfilled and it was coming out the overflow spout on top of the transmission. I felt really dumb afterwards and the shop was right, it was overfilled. I thought it was my pan gasket too. I was also running a transmisison cooler and it takes a while for the fluid to get hot and thats when you have to check it. When its hot and up to operating temperature. I know it sounds dumb but thats what happened to me so I am wondering if maybe this is happening to you too. But before draining the fluid again I would clean the trans real good before refilling the fluid and recheckign the level. Hope this helps, Nick

I attach a hose on my trans overflows tubes and run them below the trans pan. If they leak it doesn't get all over everything and helps spot leaks else where.

John