Mystery Leak

[lanciat]

Since purchasing my car 6 months ago, I've been bedeviled by a persistent leak coming from the rear of the engine block/front of the transmission. Until today, I thought that the leak was coming from the rear of my oil pan, and was preparing to drop the oil pan and reseal it. However, as I was getting ready to do so today, after draining the oil pan, I noticed that beads of liquid continued to form in the seam between the engine block and tranny. In other words, the leak could not be coming from the oil pan, because the pan had no more liquid in it. In addition, the drops of liquid that were forming were cherry red in color -- i.e., tranny fluid.

Any thoughts here?

Thanks for any and all help.

Joe Fillip
'95 L AWD ("The Wayback Machine")
Swarthmore, PA

[Bobb]

Hi Joe, The power steering fluid also is red. You might take a look up front and see if any PS fluid is dripping out from the PS reservoir or hoses. Fluid in a car can end up in the strangest places. Take care, BOBB

[ensteele]

If it is the PS, look in the How-To Documents on changing the O-Ring. Good luck with the leak.

Perhaps your torque converter is leaking.



Dave

[Earthworm]

It's either the power steering or the tranny. The main question is which one is low?

[lanciat]

Well, on checking all fluid levels, BOTH the PS reservoir and the tranny were somewhat low. So, I've topped up all fluids, and we'll see which level drops the fastest

There is absolutely no leakage at the front of the engine -- all clean and dry. Additionally, neither of the AT lines/hoses running from the driver's side of the engine compartment to the tranny are leaking. There also does not appear to be any leaking from any of the hoses situated on the top of the transmission case.

As I mentioned, the leak appears to be emanating from the seam where the engine block and the tranny mate. From searching past threads, several members have experienced leaks from this area -- a bad flexplate/tranny seal

Anyway, I'll post back as I hone in on the source of the leak.

Thanks for all of the help. -- Joe

[lanciat]

Well, it's most definitely the tranny that is leaking, rather than the power steering system. Daily checks of the fluid level in each system show a pronounced drop in the tranny fluid level, and no change in the PS fluid level.

As I mentioned earlier, the leak appears to be emanating from the seam where the tranny mates to the engine block. No apparent leakage from any other portion of the tranny case.

Any thoughts as to the source within the tranny?

Thanks for any and all help.

Joe Fillip
'95 L AWD ("The Wayback Machine")
Swarthmore, PA

"You don't learn from smart people. You learn from idiots -- watch what they do, then don't do it." Minnesota Fats

Check the P/S rack... It always hides leaks...

I also have a strange reddish leak in about the same area, that my fiance is trying to convince me is a tranny problem so he can sell my SVX and buy me an SUV. (See post under "Wanted or For Sale".)

Since I don't have the skills to get under the car and check for myself, should I just take it to a garage or take it to the dealer to get it checked?

HOw long before the tranny goes ker-pluey if it's leaking?

[dcarrb]

Originally posted by scubachick2
HOw long before the tranny goes ker-pluey if it's leaking?

That depends upon whether or not it's allowed to run low. Check the dipstick often and top-off as needed until the leak is repaired.

dcb

[lanciat]

See my last post above -- the power steering system is not leaking. Rather, the tranny itself appears to be leaking (the fluid level in the PS reservoir is not dropping; the leak appears to be coming from the tranny above the PS rack).

Any thoughts as to the source of the leak within the tranny?

-- Joe

A leaky tranny is quite odd... I thought the exact same thing. One of the P/S is notorious for leaking and dripping down the side and ending up next to the tranny or on top of the right cat.

A few questions:

1. Does it leak right away after to start the car?
2. Does your SVX smoke after 10-15 minutes of driving?
3. If neither, at what point does it leak?

If it smokes or smells like burning fluid then it probably dripping from the P/S rack and combusting on the top of the exhaust cat. I checked the level of my P/S and I never saw any difference in levels.

or it might just be a tranny gasket done bad... Are you using synthetic tranny fluid?

[lanciat]

"A few questions:

1. Does it leak right away after to start the car?
2. Does your SVX smoke after 10-15 minutes of driving?
3. If neither, at what point does it leak?"

I can't tell you exactly when the leaking begins. I have noticed dripping from the seam where the tranny and engine block mate even when the car is stationary and the engine is not running.

I can tell you that I have noticed smoke coming from the lower rear of the engine bay after the car has been driven (last time I checked, it was after about 30 minutes of driving), but that would also be consistent with a leak of the type that I have described, because leaking fluid from the seam between engine block and tranny would eventually make it way down on to the hot exhaust pipes.

As for the question on tranny fluid, I am using Dexron III, not synthetic fluid. -- Joe

I've never seen any smoke. But it smells like something is burning sometimes after I drive it. I only see leaks on the floor of the garage when I don't drive it for a few days. And usually, it's only a few drops.

Maybe it is just the p/s or some o-rings or gaskets? See, that's what I told my fiance. He just wants me to drive an SUV ... he's really a suburbanite at heart.

[87f383]

I say pull tranny and replace front pump seal. (this is my american RWD mechanic talking). Just my guess though.