So I have a 1991 Camaro RS with a 4 speed automatic.

Yesterday when I pulled it out of the garage I noticed a small pool of ATF where the car was. It wasn't much,maybe a quarter of a cup. I drive it a couple blocks to the store and back,and had no issues thankfully. I parked it in the same spot when I got back. I checked today to see how much there was on floor,and there was about three quarters of a cup in the same spot counting the old stuff. I haven't jacked it up yet,but I saw some sort cross member or something covered in the ATF. This is all near the rear of the transmission. It's all behind the pan. I'll be jacking it up,but I'm just dreading the outcome.

I understand there's no way to tell from all this,but my real question is,is there no good way this can end? Based on my little experience as a highschooler it seems like there's no minor issue that could cause this and no easy solution to it aside from maybe a leaking pan gasket,but I replaced that 4-5 months ago,and had no problems up until now.

 

I am thinking the two things that may be somewhat non catastrophic would be either the VSS or maybe the tin cover over the governor , if not of course the seal for the driveshaft yoke .

 

Where's the governor,and what does it do?

 

In very simple terms , it tells the transmission how fast the car is going , so the transmission can use that info to know when to shift .

If you visit my sticky thread "pictures of every component of a 700R4" at the top of the transmissions page , you will see clean clear photographs of all the inner workings of your transmission . The governor is on the left (driver's) side of the transmission , just in front of where the tailshaft housing bolts to the main case ....

 

VSS O-Rings dry out commonly if the car sits for long periods, drive shaft yoke seals are also common to go bad, both are easy fixes.

Don't panic just yet. Get under the car & try to find the source before you assume the worst.

 

It was the output shaft seal leaking. I replaced it and no leaks yet. Thanks to everyone that wrote in!