Help Diagnosing Transmission Leak

[tonyfromjersey]

Hello, it's been a while since I posted here. I have a transmission leak that has gotten steadily worse over the last few weeks. The main thing I have noticed, is that when I park the car, I get two identical puddles, about 6 inches apart or so, towards the rear of the transmission. Sometimes the puddles are small, but lately they have been getting more pronounced.

I filled the trans with maybe a quart of GL-1 today (hard to tell). After an hour or so I see the little puddles forming on the newspaper I put under the trans. I'm not getting any other leaks.

I can't see any visible leaks. I am going to get one of those flexible inspection cameras and see if I can find anything on top of the trans, but I won't get to that until Tuesday due to work schedule.

Any ideas of where to look would be helpful. I have a spare transmission thanks to George's endless supply of parts, however I don't really know the condition of that one as it came out of a non-running parts car. The PO did say the trans worked when he parked it, but who knows what its overall condition is. Mine was in nice shape until this current issue. It shifted beautifully and didn't really leak until a few weeks ago.

Thanks,

Tony

[paintdudeluke]

As annoying as a trans leak might be, its not worth a swap. I would do the following. Get the car on a lift and degrease/steam clean or pressure wash, then an inspection is more productive. Also, does it continue to leak when sitting or only after driving? If after driving only, the leak is not from the bottom. I would check the obvious like the speedo cable and levers. It could be leaking back from the front seal, but without it clean and up in the air you may never find it. Also, if you do find it, you might be able to just clean the area with brake cleaner spray and coat it with a good sealer to stop the leak without having to disassemble anything. Just have to study it until you find out whats up. If its your front seal, just plan on adding or pulling it

[adrians]

Tony,

I too had a mysterious oil leak from the gearbox ('81), with no apparent leaks on the sides or bottom of the gearbox.

What I discovered was it was leaking from the top of the box were the gear selector goes into the box ... the oil leak was always apparent on the left hand side wall of the transmission tunnel. I replaced the seals on the selector input and that solved the problem.

Regards

[tonyfromjersey]

It started out as leaking only after I drove it, but it did leak a bit after I filled it yesterday. I am thinking it is coming from the top somewhere, as that would explain the symmetric drip patterns on the floor. If it is leaking from the top then it is maybe running down both sides of the trans and hitting the ground?

It only leaked a little bit without having driven the car, and only the front of the car is in the air. (just added for clarification)

I don't have access to a lift, but my local transmission shop said they would look at it for free. I'm going to get an inspection camera in there on Tuesday and see what I can possibly find.

[adrians]

Tony,

From memory it's the seal in the very top of the gearbox where the selector goes into the top of the housing, I think it's best access for inspection from inside the car.

Adrian

[tonyfromjersey]

Thanks, I will look there and let you know.

Tony

[wizard124]

Take a look at the speedo cable. The cable sheath screws into the gear housing which bolts onto the transmission. There should be an O-ring to seal the cable sheath end. Mine was missing and I had a persistant leak there. Not as bad as you desribe however.

Have you tried tightening the bolts that hold the plate to the bottom of the transmission?