Torque Converter/Auto Trans leak/fault, please help

Chris1990 · Post by **Chris1990** » Sat Apr 18, 15 8:10 pm

Hello everyone,

I was recently enjoying my 65 Plymouth Fury out in the sun when i noticed the car was juddering/jumping when accelerating over 30/40mph then when i stopped to open the bonnet and check the engine bay smoke came pouring out.

After closer inspection i noticed transmission fluid leaking from around the torque converter and dripping onto the exhaust pipe (causing the smoke) would this loss of fluid explain the juddering, high engine revving,loss of power and struggling to get into 3rd gear?

I'm thinking its possibly a faulty gasket/seal or potentially a faulty torque converter. I have no knowledge of auto transmissions so any help is much appreciated. i live in north London, Enfield area so if anyone knows a good classic car mechanic please point me in the right direction.

Thank you

Dave81 · Post by **Dave81** » Sat Apr 18, 15 8:20 pm

Low fluid levels will lead to what feels like a slipping clutch, when you push the throttle past where it's happy. Gears won't engage easily and it's all downhill from there.

Drive to far with little to no juice and I believe it'll burn up the bands......then it's rebuild time!

Rebel · Post by **Rebel** » Sat Apr 18, 15 8:21 pm

The high revving and juddering will be down to the loss of fluid, it means the gearbox is going to have to come out to find and fix the problem hopefully you made it home
Sorry I can't suggest a mechanic, I'm not in London

terryr · Post by **terryr** » Sat Apr 18, 15 8:23 pm

Check your fluid level,you may have too much in there,and it will kick it out the vent,and do all sorts of bad stuff check in neutral, and not park,seeing as fluid is coming out from the bell,I wouldn't have thought it is low

Chris1990 · Post by **Chris1990** » Sat Apr 18, 15 8:31 pm

thanks for the help, i made it home luckily, just kept under 30mph. i forgot to mention that i checked the transmission fluid level and its fine, i think this problem developed today because normally cruise around locally at low speeds but i drove out Essex way today and gave it more of a run getting up to 60mph. Maybe this caused a seal or gasket to blow?

will i have to have the transmission rebuilt, or will this be a repair job? any rough idea on how much ill be looking at labour costs wise and price on a torque converter please

thanks

Mossy68 · Post by **Mossy68** » Sat Apr 18, 15 8:34 pm

Breather vent opening in pump housing blocked ?
Or the fluid filter clogged ?

Dave81 · Post by **Dave81** » Sat Apr 18, 15 8:39 pm

Chris1990 wrote:thanks for the help, i made it home luckily, just kept under 30mph. i forgot to mention that i checked the transmission fluid level and its fine, i think this problem developed today because normally cruise around locally at low speeds but i drove out Essex way today and gave it more of a run getting up to 60mph. Maybe this caused a seal or gasket to blow?

will i have to have the transmission rebuilt, or will this be a repair job? any rough idea on how much ill be looking at labour costs wise and price on a torque converter please

thanks

You can get rebuild kits from rockauto, which will have all gaskets, new filter a couple of o rings etc. this would be my first port of call. Can be done institute, on a lift, so cheaper alternative. Fill with new fluid, and then drive and hope!

Mine leaked, and would drain down to slipping clutch levels as above over a week when sat. Got a local american car guy near me to basically put all new gaskets in and voila........no more leaks!
My leaks are all due to underuse. 4 months not being used........Gaskets dry out and blow during the next heat/pressure cycle.

Mossy68 · Post by **Mossy68** » Sat Apr 18, 15 8:44 pm

Dunc's ( Cannonball) your man for gearbox's. Sure he'll be able to advise

latil · Post by **latil** » Sat Apr 18, 15 8:46 pm

Blocked breather,taken front seal out at a guess.

autofetish · Post by **autofetish** » Sun Apr 19, 15 9:39 am

Anton member on here will fix it easy

aussie pete · Post by **aussie pete** » Mon Apr 20, 15 5:03 pm

When you checked the trans oil did you check it hot?......needs to be checked at working temp (as oil heats up it expands and will pour out of breather if checked cold !)

terryr · Post by **terryr** » Tue Apr 21, 15 12:13 pm

If oil is to high it will get whipped up by the rotating mas and foam and get real messy in there and Bananarama! out the breather, I would pull the filler tube and see if any comes out,I have overfilled myself and it wasnt good,so I drained and refilled and the box was fine

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Tue Apr 21, 15 12:51 pm

I also overfilled once and had fluid spew out at high speed. However I didn't not get ant trans problems at the time.