Okay I had a rebuild done by AhartZ28 about 3 months ago from a tranny that was pretty much screwed.

Well I was on the highway the otherday and suddenly a white cloud burst out of my hood. I got it home and everything seemed okay except a little bit of smoke was coming out. I checked it was transmission fluid, EVERYWHERE. The top of the engine, the bottom of the engine, it dripped all the way down the exhaust and was at the back wheel well.

Where could there be possible leaks, and is it normal to not have bell housing on the bottom of your transmission.

My fluid level doesn't appear to be off, and the transmission was shifting fine on my way home. But I since have not driven it for fear of ruining the transmission.

Please help, I posted on the general LT1 forum and no one seemed interested in sheding any light on my scenario.

I am currently driving a borrowed honda so I need help ASAP!!!!

- Z28WannaB

 

I'd check the trans fluid cooling lines connection to the radiator first, then verify the level again. Problem is the fluid has to be warm to check. Proceed with caution and a sharp eye to determine where the leak is. The 'bell housing cover' is just a dust shield.
Doug

 

I agree. Check the cooler lines going the the radiator. You wouldn't believe how much fluid a tranny can pump untill you see it pumping out of one of those lines. Maybe the fittings loosened up on you and it's spraying out. Then it could hit your belt and also fling it all over the place from there. If it's tranny fluid in that quantity, your level wont be readable for long. I wouldn't drive it till you figure it out for sure.

Ken R.

 

Thanks for the quick responses. I actually thought it might be the lines, however I am unable to find them. I checked out the SHbox website, and their image of the radiator is unlabeled. However I have a copy of the manual they use at the dealerships, it is labeled but it doesn't specifiy which hose leads to the tranny.

I checked under the car to look for a broken hose or something to that extent.

A couple more questions, I've searched and was unable to come up with anything.

Could I presumably put more tranny fluid in and start the car to determine the leak? So basically what I am asking is, when the car is started is the tranny fluid continually flowing? And is the hose direct to the tranny, or are there possible connection points aside from the radiator where it could be leaking?

Thanks for any possible information K+

- Z28WannaB

 

Theres 2 lines going in the radiator. One is from the tranny, and the other is a return. Can't remember what side of the car they go in. Think the passenger side. I have a 6spd, so i'm guessing, but i'm sure someone can chime in and say. There should only be 4 connection points. To in the radiator and the other 2 at the tranny. Don't think it would be the tranny connections cause you probably wouldn't have it all over the engine compartment. Don't know if it will flow in park, but definitly in gear. You can put your parking brake on, block the wheels and put it in gear, then look under the hood and see if you can see where it's coming from. But your better off getting another person to sit in the car with the brake on in gear while you check it out. If theres as much fluid as you say, it should be easy to spot. You can also clean it all up real good, and then do that check. May make it even easier to spot. Hope that helps. Let us know.

Ken R.

 

Hey, i had the same problem except the fact that you found tranny fluid on the top of the engine. I had a rear tranny seal out which threw tranny fluid all under the car which caused it to smoke bad from the fluid hitting the exaust. Hope that helps.

Dave

 

okay I checked the hoses. One of them where it met the radiator had a rubber piece attaching it. Well guess what, the rubber piece was fuel line not tranny line so I replaced that. I checked the two connections to the radiator and the two to the tranny. Both of them appear NOT to be source of my problem.

What do I check next?

 

Ok slow down for a minute...There are two lines on the passenger side of the Radiator. One on top, the other on bottom. Both lines should be tight in the radiator. From there you can follow them all the way to the Transmission. Follow the lines and if you have some brake clean, clean them off so you can actually see if they're spitting oil. If niether of the lines are spitting put the car up on 4 jack stands, and crawl under the car, watch out for the exhaust pipes, they get hot. Make sure you have filled at least 4 or 5 qts, of fluid as you've lost a lot. Have a friend start the car and see if you can find any leaks. I would check the front pump...where the converter goes into the trans. That would be a good start. And yes you WILL spill fluid running in park. The trans pump is always pumping fluid...always. it's just not real high pressure, compared to WOT. And be careful as at WOT Line pressure can be in upwards of 3K PSI. especially if it vents into open air other than a controlled tube. Good Luck.

And if you can't figure it out and you're near chicago, let me knkow and we can work something out.

Chris

 

Well I did all the stuff you had mentioned but even sitting under the car with it running its hard to find the source of the leak. I took it into a transmission shop (appeared far less than reputable) and asked if they could give me an estimate. They said that everything was leaking and that I needed to do a "full reseal job". I didn't confront them about it, but I know for a fact that its not leaking at the radiator. There isen't even any fluid there. So I'm definitely not taking my car to a transmission shop.

I think a lot of times shops think they can charge whatever they want due to consumer ignorance.

Back on topic, I am about to replace my tranny fluid pan gasket, and filter, and put in some more fluid. Its not leaking at the radiator I had already determined that. I have no idea what is leaking, when it first leaked it was a huge flood of fluid. Now it just drips, and my fluid level is fine.

 

Are we sure we're talking tranny fluid here? With as much fluid as your talking, I can't see how your fluid level would still be good. What color is the fluid?

 

Red. Its definitely not oil.

I thought the level must be completely screwed, wouldn't you be able to notice even a quart missing? I had a shop confirm that my level was okay. I thought I might have been checking it wrong.

They said its definitely transmission fluid leaking, and so did my friend, and thats what I thought it was.

I know that my pan gasket is leaking, so I am going to replace that tommarow and go from there. I may have to pay to get the front main seal done though.

- Z28WannaB

 

I have heard of fluid shooting out of the dipstick tube too. That would be another way for fluid to get on TOP of the engine, as he said it was.

 

Sounds like there is way too much fluid in there.. These trannies have a vent on the top of them and I've seen it spray everywhere..including to the top of the engine. Go ahead and replace the gaket and filter then add a few quarts..that's about all it should take. If you go and add 11 quarts, it's too much. I want to say anything over 8 but it maybe 6...been a while since I filled one. And how are you checking the fluid?? Just out of curiosity. The car should be at operating temp, then cycle it through all the drive gears including reverse then put it in neutral. Make sure you're on a flat surface, and the e-brake is on (hate for the car to roll away on you). Then check the fluid, like you check oil, pull it out and clean it off, then put it back in and read. It should then be at the level perscribed, if it's below that add until it's at the line. If you over fill it, it makes the shifts slightly firmer, but you can also spit fluid out the top and all over the place...

Chris

In the three months you had this trans in what's the longest trip you've made with it??? Just out of curiosity. Do you have a converter as well??