Diagnosis needed - trans leak

Prothed · Post by **Prothed** » Wed Jun 08, 05 4:50 pm

Recently noticed a transmission leak which I thought was coming from the back edge of the pan - but it actually seems to be coming from above...

In the picture I've drawn an arrow showing the (apparent) source of the fluid.
All the bolts thereabouts seem tight.
From what little I know, I didn't think they were meant to leak from there!
Any ideas welcome.

Blue · Post by **Blue** » Wed Jun 08, 05 5:17 pm

There is an 'o' ring on that shaft, that will be your problem. The other problem you have there is the cast in "lump" on the tailshaft that stops that shaft from falling out is broken off. I see this a lot, you can bend up a sheet metal bracket to retain it. It is possible to change the 'O' ring with the box in the car, but it is a fiddly, messy job, it's pan off, valve body out and fiddle out the shaft which is the rear band anchor support. I won't bore you with the story of when mine fell out at Avon park.....

TrevD · Post by **TrevD** » Wed Jun 08, 05 11:05 pm

i think blue is correct on this , some idiots think this is just a bit of rough casting so spend ages polishing it away only to be told it needs to be thare

, how stupid did i feel

Prothed · Post by **Prothed** » Thu Jun 09, 05 9:54 am

Thanks Blue. Given the three gallons of transmisiion fluid above that pan that will be an inch above my nose when I'm under the car undoing it, let alone the fiddling about that follows - I'm now thinking of a short-term alternative until the trans has to come out for some other reason.
(So purists should stop reading here).
Since there is no pressure behind the seal on that shaft, what about fabricating a cover and just sealing it in place from the outside?
Also, does the bolt above the broken bit go right through the casing? If not, then I'll make up the bracket to hold the cover/shaft in place too.

Blue · Post by **Blue** » Thu Jun 09, 05 6:10 pm

I can't remember offhand if that bolts tapping is blind or not, in any case you can take it out to fabricate your bracket, that's how I do it. I guess if you can get it clean enough a big wodge of silicone over the end of the shaft would seal it in the short term, not that I would normally suggest you use silicone on an auto!

Guy · Post by **Guy** » Thu Jun 09, 05 6:56 pm

That bolt hole is not blind as I found out yesterday

when I undid it and nearly drowned as a result straight down the throat went the transmission fluid , any that I have had to eat drink or smoke taste's then same goddam orible

Prothed · Post by **Prothed** » Thu Jun 09, 05 7:23 pm

I'm impressed that you went through that just to check - so thanks, I'll be very careful with that bolt.
I'll report back after its done.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Thu Jun 09, 05 8:25 pm

Can you not bend a plate in from the pan bolt? Taking one pan bolt out will not make much (if any) mess.

Prothed · Post by **Prothed** » Fri Jun 10, 05 9:34 am

Hmm... maybe, but the bracket would end up pretty long, and any outward movement by the shaft would just tend to twist it(?)

Does that shaft rotate? (Contantly/back and forth/not at all?)
What I mean is that if I make up a cover to cover it, can the cover touch the end of the shaft or would there have to be a gap to allow the shaft to turn?

Blue · Post by **Blue** » Fri Jun 10, 05 4:29 pm

No, there should be no pressure or movement at all, just give it a light tap to make sure it's all the way in before you start, it will hit a positive stop. The bracket you make dosn't need to be very substantial, it's literally to stop the shaft from falling out. If I remember I'll take a picture of the bracket I made for my box.

Blue · Post by **Blue** » Sat Jun 11, 05 3:13 pm

This is the best picture I could get!