I noticed that there is some transmission fluid leaking from my car from around the front of the transmission. I was just wondering if it could be leaking from the tranny dipstick. I just changed spark plugs a while ago. Could I have knocked the dipstick loose? It is really hard to tell where it is leaking from because I don't have a jack with me at the moment.

 

Sure it is possible that the dipstick tube could be leaking. There are also two cooler line fittings right in that area that could be the culprit. It may also just be that the pan gasket has a little leak. The worst possibility is the front seal at the torque converter is leaking. The only fix for that is to replace it and that requires a transmission removal. Jack up the car and have a good look under there to determine where the leak is comiing from.

 

I would put my money on the pan gasket. Easy fix too.

 

I have a major leak also.. It leaks above the passenger side header when the car is on but after sitting for a few days it seems to be leaking out the back of the pan. I am going to attempt to fix it by buying new trans hoses and a new gasket and tightening the pan this weekend. Is replacing the hoses that difficult other than putting them on? The reason i ask this is because the guy I bought the car from said to take it to a shop and let them do it. Any suggestions please.



left bottom is header leak and top is the other leak.

 

My first car was an 84 oldsmobile that didnt run when i got it. After I had got it back to good running condition I drove around with no transmission fluid Checked under the car and I could loosen the pan bolts with my hand. A simple job of tightening them and problem fixed.

 

Hey 88Spinner, Hell of an exhaust you got there!

 

It could also be your speedometer cable.

 

speedometer cable eh' where does it go into the trans at?

 

Was it an automatic tranny? Because you cant drive an auto without any fluid. the car wont move because the fluid clutch(torque coverter) requres fluid to operate at all. Did it have most of it fluid gone?

 

The VSS or speedo cable is in the tail housing on the drivers side.

 

Yeah it was an auto. It wasnt completely gone, but it was so low that not one drop showed up on the dipstick.

 

Ok after repacing the trans lines the leak continued on the passenger side. Then I replaced the pan gasket and the leak still continues to flow. That leaves the dipstick... Is the dipstick a typical spot to leak and how should I go about fixing it... O ring, sealant...what? HELP

 

Did anyone mention the shift selector shaft seal? That could also be a culprit. As far as the dipstick seal, its like a rubber sleeve if I remember correct. Just unbolt the mounting tab at the trans/block bolt and pull the tube up and then remove your old seal. Not too hard.

 

Another item that is next to the diptick tube is the TV (throttle valve) cable. The TV cable housing has a thin rubber boot at the trans case. The TV cable is secured to the case with a 10mm bolt. It is not often that the TV cable boot leaks, but like anything else, I supose it could. What you might try to do is get a spray can or two of carb or brake cleaner. They're like a couple bucks a can at any auto parts store. Then spray/clean the suspected areas as best you can and dry them off. Then take an inspection mirror and flashlight, and recheck the areas after a short test drive. The leak should be more apparent then.

Things to check:
cooling line fittings
dipstick tube
TV cable housing (Not to be confused with television cable :sillylol: )
pan gasket
Torque converter/ front seal
speedometer cable housing


A couple things to note about metal cooler lines:
I have seen instances where the two metal cooler lines might rub/chaff together, they would wear a hole in the line. When the hole is very small it is sometimes hard to believe that there is a hole there because it is vertually invisible untill you get presure behind it. If any part of the lines are rubbing, then wipe them down with a rag and verify.
Lines can crack right at the flair of the fitting. You may tighten the line fittings very well, but the crack is usually right at the bend of the flair, out of site behind the fitting.
Just something to concider.

 

this is all helpin me out. i think its a pan leak, but im not sure... i got under the car, but i still really couldnt see it.. If i fill it up and let it sit, the withing a day, there will be a puddle a little bit smaller then the size of my foot (size 14). im gunna replace the filter and pan gasket to see if that fixes it. i gotta do this before the Thirdgen Nats

 

OK, thank you all for the replies I appreciate them. I finally for once figured out what was leaking, its the pan . I bought a new gasket yesterday and replaced it and it was still leaking. So I got another one plus gasket sealant and it still wants to leak. I tried tightening it not too tight but snug and it still leaked. Then I tried it tighter but not broken off in there and it is still leaking. Any suggestions, I have alot of bigger issues I need to move on to but I am stuck on this one. I am thinking that maybe the pan has a bend in it but i cant see it by the eye... anyone with any suggestions PLEASE!!!! thanks.

 

your pan might be cracked. one to many bottoming outs did it in. it happens... check the pan around where you think the leak is...

 

It looked as if the fluid was leaking out of one of the bolts but then I tightened it and it started to leak out of the gasket area on another side. After replacing the gasket once it wasnt leaking horrible but still bad but now with the gasket and sealant it is leaking all the way out of my garage after about 5 hours. Does the filter inside the tranny have anything to do with the leakage, I wouldnt think it does.

 

The filter would have nothing to do with the trans leaking.
When you drop the pan for a gasket change, you need to inspect the pan flange area for deformation around the bolt holes. Closely inpect the pan for cracks. Use a hammer and some support for the flange and flatten out the raised areas around the pan bolt holes. If the flange is clean and straight, it should seal up just fine.
The bolts should only be tightened to about 45-50 inch pounds. Or about 1/2 to 3/4 turn after the bolt head seats on the pan. Too often I've seen mechanics use a 1/2 impact on the pan bolts, squashing out the gasket, and wondering why it still leaks.
Sealant realy isn't nessesary if the is the flange is clean and striaght. I have not had to use sealant on a pan gasket yet.

 

@jonarotz Did anyone mention the shift selector shaft seal? That could also be a culprit. As far as the dipstick seal, its like a rubber sleeve if I remember correct. Just unbolt the mounting tab at the trans/block bolt and pull the tube up and then remove your old seal. Not too hard.

I realize this thread is extremely old but....gotta take a chance that someone is still reading these helpful hints, i am lol...

I assume one would have to drop the transmission to change the shift knuckle seal?
My 91 GTA has a leak somewhere on the top, front portion of the transmission / torque converter area. I'm thinking the shift knuckle seal?
Thoughts?

 

need some help with dipstick mines is leaking horribly from there