Tranny leaking fluid

clean2g · 10-09-2005

I moved my car(awd 2g) today getting ready to change the oil and I saw two almost dime sized drops of oil on the floor right under the tranny. So I jacked the car up and looked at the tranny and the area near and around the tranny drain hole/bottom side of tranny closest to passanger side was damp with tranny fluid. I thoroghly cleaned the whole area and examined for cracks.. but as far as I could tell there are no cracks. It's not leaking from the drain hole because the oil-damped area extends quite higher than the drain hole. Could it be a seal or something? It had to have started leaking within the last few days because the oil is very fresh. I may have over filled it when I installed my new clutch but.. I'm not sure.. anyone have any ideas, and is a tranny leak a major,get myself a second car, problem?

**Kracka** · 10-09-2005

Get a new crush washer for the drain bolt from Mitsu, those are not reusable. Same with the filler bolt, but not as important. Check the axle seals too, those could be leaking. Not a bad idea to replace those too since you'll have all the fluid drained out to replace that washer.

sleepydsm · 10-10-2005

Doing axel seals are very easy. The hardest part is pulling the axels! They are not very expensive either, and if you've pulled your tranny before you can do this in a few hours or less.

clean2g · 10-13-2005

I think I found the culprit...

I took the picture from the passenger side. I THINK that cracked bolt is where the tranny is leaking but not sure.. unless that is supposed to be a locking washer.

This second pic is a view from the font.. it's kind of hard to tell where it is damp but I circled the general area.

I believe I changed the axle seals when I put my new clutch in a couple months ago and it doesn't seem like there is any fluid coming from there. It's just limited to that circled area. I cleaned the area up last sunday and now it's damp again; it's a fairly slow leak. Wanted to get a second opinion though.

**Kracka** · 10-13-2005

Go to Mitsu and get a new one along with a crush washer.

Outlaw1 · 10-13-2005

The arrow is pointing at a split ring lock washer.

clean2g · 10-13-2005

wait.. so which is it, lock washer or crush washer?

**Kracka** · 10-13-2005

Well, I'm guessing that is the drain-bolt, but I could be wrong since I have the most experience with FWD trannies and they are setup slightly differently. If that is in fact the drain bolt, it should be a crush washer, not a lock washer.

niterydr · 10-13-2005

Thats a housing bolt, not a fill or drain plug. Pictured is a mount bolt that holds the casing together, its a split washer, not a crush washer.

clean2g · 10-13-2005

Ok thanks everyone, so I should still go get a new housing bolt and split washer to see if that fixes the leak?

niterydr · 10-13-2005

Odds are the casing is cracked. I'd inspect further to see exactly where it is coming from.
The problem is the casings just don't crack. Its usually impact related (either something let loose inside the transmission and is trying to get "out", or you hit something and it shifted the transmission in its chassis mount and cracked the case, I've seen both instances) or stress related (again similar circumstances).

TheBlizzard · 10-13-2005

Or your missing a dowel pin.

Outlaw1 · 10-14-2005

Do you think it's just by chance there's a large piece of RTV hanging out of the case? Reseal the side cover.

clean2g · 10-15-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super4x4Duty

Do you think it's just by chance there's a large piece of RTV hanging out of the case? Reseal the side cover.

Oh.. didn't realize that would cause the leak. Sorry, still learning

I will give that a try, thanks.