Oil is leaking under van - advice?

[Donedirtcheap]

Its not just bands. There are clutch packs too, in fact some may not have adjustable bands. I haven't rebuilt any in a long time. Either way the whole trans works on fluid pressure. The front pump supplies the pressure. If the pump is starved by low fluid level the pressure to the clutch pack or band is too low and slipping occurs causing heat and wear. The clutch pack plates are not only compressed but also also lubricated by the trans fluid. When the dipstick is utilized on a regular basis a low reading will give an EARLY indication of fluid/ LIFE BLOOD loss. At that point, as others have said, the NORMAL, easy, common leaks can easily be fixed. Only given what has been said, and not inspected by me some of the other very knowledgeable guys on here, I would guess that some degree of advanced wear has occurred. Hopefully not but very likely. Hopefully he caught it in time.

We were cursing on over to town the other week and passed a local transmission shop with a couple older cars for sale out front. My wife says " Who the heck would buy a car from a transmission shop" ?

Dag gone good woman.

 

[caseyc]

Should I use a transmission sealer as a temporary measure for the next several days until I can get this problem fixed properly?

I found this product called Blue Devil transmission sealer:
http://store.gobluedevil.com/transmission-sealer-00236/

Or is this a totally bad idea??

 

[Mac J]

Should I use a transmission sealer as a temporary measure for the next several days until I can get this problem fixed properly?

I found this product called Blue Devil transmission sealer:
http://store.gobluedevil.com/transmission-sealer-00236/

Or is this a totally bad idea??

I would.

 

[caseyc]

Hmmm. I just called the Chevron mechanic. He advised me against using any transmission sealer, and said it would worsen the problem, especially since I will be coming in soon to get the problem fixed properly. So for now, I will go back to Jiffy Lube to top off the transmission fluid. Jiffy Lube told me they will top off the fluid for free for the next 3 months. Cool.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

No, Casey, do not use sealer in that tranny!!!
Keep a check on the fluid and get the work done soon as you can.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

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Jiffy Lube checked all the other fluids which are okay. It was only the transmission fluid that was very low from the leaking. I walked across the street to the Chevron repair where I've had work done before and the mechanic told me it's a minor repair for the transmission fluid leak and should only cost around $200 to fix the leak.

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how many quarts of transmission fluid did you pay for? Stop getting your panties in a twist over hypothetical problems and focus on what we know. Your transmission fluid was VERY LOW, the MECHANIC told you it is a MINOR repair. Keep an eye on your fluid level, until they can fit you in, if your transmission is working alright then it is working alright, end of story......if you want to be talked into a 2000 dollar transimission rebuild then carry on, you can put the receipt next to your watch receipts but I would suggest you focus on what you know, everyone has a horror story, but you don't have to make it yours.

 

[caseyc]

The others on this forum are making me paranoid...they know who they are.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Take it easy there Kurbmaster. I'm surprised at your ranting on Casey's issue....doesn't seem like your usual style.
We've had others here who don't know zip about mechanics that were scared shitless over a problem and we didn't find cause to to put them down.
You spend your money the way you like and let others do the same.

Casey....don't let it get to you, bud. Just watch the fluid level and get the damn thing taken care of asap. If it isn't slipping or smelling burnt you're probably ok.
Now, chill and quit worrying.
I'm going to repete myself....take an automotive course and it will help ease your mind about things like this. I'm sure it will be well worth your time and the small expense.

 

[Donedirtcheap]

Nothing to be paranoid about because it is what it is. DO NOT add anything to it. If you can let it sit then dont drive it. If you have to, then drive it but dont be driving on every steep hill that you can find. No one knows what it needs until it is diagnosed by HOPEFULLY a qualified mechanic. Also hopefully an honest mechanic. Relax, if damage is done its too late. You may even get a couple places to look at it. Its basically like this, if it had a tail shaft seal, pan gasket, cooler line fitting or whatever can leak externally it will be a relatively painless fix. If it has damaged the internal rotating mechanism (torque converter hub/seal surface) its going to be expensive. Its unlikely that you will find anyone to go in and put a torque converter/pump/seal in and guarantee it. This is not some bs that I think I know, this pretty much how it is.

What you need to do is let them look at it and tell them you want to see it when....hold on lets stop right here because this is where the danger comes in if you are dealing with a crook. They can squirt oil in the bell housing and make it look major. What you need to do is get a flashlight and crawl under this thing BEFORE you take it to a shop. You need to be active in this or you may take it right up the ole ying yang deep and hard.

If the van sits too low drive both tires of one side or the other up on a curb in a parking lot and crawl under it. You need to look at the engine and trans. From the front to the back you will see the bottom of the radiator, the engine oil pan with a drain plug on it, then an aluminum housing and bottom cover that taper and flare back down into a smaller gadget which is the transmission. Its almost 3 feet long. The ugly place to have oil coming out of is the bell shaped flared area where the trans bolts onto the engine. There is usually an inspection plate made of sheet metal or plastic on the bottom of this area. It is removed when pulling the trans as the converter bolts are up in there. If the pump seal is leaking there will be oil in this area. Then look at everything to see if there is a predominantly wet area. You will notice that there is a pan that is about a foot square with several bolts all the way around it. Thats the trans pan. The bolts could be loose. You will possibly see where the dipstick enters above the pan area usually on the right side. You will see a shaft that runs all the way back to the rear end, it has an oil seal where it exits the rear of the trans, it can leak there.
Shut it off before you go under there.

 

[caseyc]

Here's an update. Got the transmission leak fixed at the Chevron station that I go to for repairs every so often. I trust those mechanics there, they do a good job. Cost? Glad you asked. $500 smackeroos. The parts only came out to about $75, and the rest for labor. Turns out there were 2 different spots leaking out transmission fluid. The mechanic showed me a diagram of the 2 different spots that leaked, which is why it cost more than the initial $300 estimate cuz of the extra labor. Anyhow, it's all good now. I checked the ground where the van is parked, and I don't see anything leaking anymore. I'm just glad the problem didn't get any worse. For those that like looking at invoices for details, see attached picture of the Chevron bill.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Glad you're a happy van guy again

 

[caseyc]

Thanks bud. As the saying goes...there's always something!

 

[Patrick46]

I was thinking about this, so thanx for the update.


See??? And all that anxiety for nuthin'!!

Glad eveythings back in order.

 

[caseyc]

Thanks! I even had sleep anxiety about this, haha! I kept telling the mechanic "I need this repaired today, same day!" I didn't tell him otherwise I'd be sleeping on a park bench somewhere, hyuck yuck!

 

[Zil]

I recommend you use this mechanic for any service you do with your van. Avoid Jiffy leak and other quick fix places. If you get your oil and lube at the Chevron, that mechanic will start to look out for you. And, Caseyc, please don't crawl around under your van. It could roll on your head.

 

[caseyc]

Actually, Jiffy Lube doesn't do repairs. They even told me so, even though I already knew it. But Chevron is a full service shop that does all types of repairs. I couldn't get under my van even if I wanted to cuz it's low to the ground, plus the side running boards would prevent anyone from crawling under.

 

[Patrick46]

sounds like you've found yourself a good mechanic...in which case I'd use him for EVERYTHING you do to the van. (even for small things and oil changes)

The more you use him, the better he'll treat ya. Grab a bunch of his business cards and keep 'em on your dashboard...(he'll notice that and you'll get personalised service from that point on.)

 

[caseyc]

Yeah, I have 3 good mechanics that I can go to. The Chevron guys, or my personal mechanic of 25 years, plus the Ford dealer. I have reps at all 3 shops that personally know me, and I mix and choose depending on the situation. In this instance, I chose the Chevron guys over the others cuz they are physically closer to me in distance, and I was certain they would fix the problem same day, whereas the other mechanics might need to keep the van for 24 hours, especially the Ford dealer.

 

[Donedirtcheap]

Thanks! I even had sleep anxiety about this, haha! I kept telling the mechanic "I need this repaired today, same day!" I didn't tell him otherwise I'd be sleeping on a park bench somewhere, hyuck yuck!

Ok so you dabbled in no lube to important parts territory and survived, so will you be keeping an eye on your fluid levels now?
Its easy to forget some stuff as its not our primary concern every day. I always put a label for the next oil change near the speedo when I do my own work. The little stickers they put up in the corner of the windshield are not real noticeable. Probably be good to use a phone reminder also of when to look everything over.

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Also, if those two easy repairs are $500.00, how much is a rebuild?

 

[caseyc]

Thanks for the insight regarding same day charge. Yes, I pretty much expect full pricing when it comes to same day service. I'm not going to quarrel about pricing with the Chevron mechanics because they were always upfront with me about their estimates. I would have really balked had they not finished the same day. I like those guys personally, they are good people, so I'm willing to pay a little extra as I know they will always give me good service. From now on, I will be going for regular oil changes every 3 months, instead of 4 to 6 months. That's cuz I know my vehicle is aging, and as a result any number of things can start leaking at any time. So hopefully regular oil changes every 3 months will help to spot leaks in a timely manner for early repairs before things get worse. Honestly, if I had to do things all over again, I would have gotten a different vehicle, probably a later model around year 2005 or so. Lessons learned. More lessons to come, I'm sure.