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Topic: This Transmision is giving me he##!!!

in Forum: C3 Driveline Components


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This Transmision is giving me he##!!! (1/17)
 10/26/08 8:30pm
zgator
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Savannah, GA - USA

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1982CE,32,000 and counting. (fast!!) 1981 Vette, black on black. ZZ4 (quick!!)


Joined: 1/20/2005
Posts: 936

This thinkg is leaking like a sive. Just all of a sudden. It was working fine. It's in my 81 and is original. Im guess it's a 350. I think GM stopped using the 400 awhile back. I've been under it with the car on stands, I've wipped everything down nice and clean. No luck. I still think it's a line leak because there is trans fluid up front of the engine. Anything you all mght have just might save me from calling AAA and have them that it to a shop.OuchAngry
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This Transmision is giving me he##!!! (2/17)
 10/26/08 8:59pm
Ron 78Lifetime Member
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BINGHAMTON, NY - USA

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SOUNDS LIKE YOUR TRANNY COOLER SPRUNG A LEAK,NORMALLY THEY ARE INSIDE THE RADIATOR,AND THEY DONT LEAK FLUID ALL OVER,THEY LEAK TRANNY FLUID INTO THE RADIATER AND MIX WITH THE ANTIFREEZE AND MAKE ALL KIND OF PROBLEMS.iN MY OPINION 1 YOUVE GOT AN ADDED ON TRANNY COOLER THATS SPRUNG A LEAK OR 2 ONE OF THE COOLING LINES GOING TO THE RADIATOR HAS SPRUNG A LEAK,Adams Apple our resident tranny GURU will prolly jump in and tell you more Shocked

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This Transmision is giving me he##!!! (3/17)
 10/26/08 9:31pm
Okie DudeLifetime Member
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Eastern Oklahoma County, OK - USA

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1980 Black L48 T-Tops


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Have you started the car while it's on stands and darn secure, then crawled underneath to see if it is leaking under pressure so you could see where it is coming from?

I found 3 rub leaks where the lines ran beside the frame rail on mine.  A few pieces of all purpose hose for tranny fluid, some screw clamps, a pipe cutter and a flare tool and I was back in business in one evening. 

Again, don't forget the requisite swearing and tool throwing.  Alternatively, or in addition to the foregoing you can also bust your knuckles and burn yourself.  Any of these sacrifices to the tool gods will make the mod work appropriately.  The more blood/skin/burnt flesh the faster it will go.

This Transmision is giving me he##!!! (4/17)
 10/26/08 9:37pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

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#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20126

What side of the engine is getting the bath? Passenger side is tranny leak, driver side would be a power steering leak...
You prolly have a line leaking, as has been said already. Not sure if the '81s still used the short section of rubber line from the steel line to the radiator, but that would be my first replaced items, if yours has them.
The steel lines can be repaired if you do find a hole in them. You can use rubber line with hose clamps, or 5/16" compression fittings. Just cut out the holey section, and splice back together.
No need to send it to a shop....

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Joel Adams
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This Transmision is giving me he##!!! (5/17)
 10/26/08 10:59pm
zgator
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Savannah, GA - USA

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1982CE,32,000 and counting. (fast!!) 1981 Vette, black on black. ZZ4 (quick!!)


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Mine has the rubber lines spliced in. I thought that was done when the engine was hot rodded. It's the matching engine. The leak is on the pass side. ALL OVER THE PAS SIDE. Way up line from the trans. I did strar it up and cralled under the car. DIDN'T STAY TO LONG!!! found nothing. I have made several offerings to the tool gods!!!
This Transmision is giving me he##!!! (6/17)
 10/27/08 1:23am
acplus
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, - Canada

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Check the tranny lines by the lower control arm, where is the puddle on the floor, look to see if you can see it from up top through the engine compartment.
John
This Transmision is giving me he##!!! (7/17)
 10/27/08 4:14am
zgator
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Savannah, GA - USA

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1982CE,32,000 and counting. (fast!!) 1981 Vette, black on black. ZZ4 (quick!!)


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I put in a qt of trans fluid and it all ran out right under the trans. I did start the car because I was putting in new blubs. He had those cheap led ones and they didn't work. Anyway I did not put the in gear and move it. If the trans has to come out I can't do it. I'm 60 years old and have a real bad back. I take oxicodone all the time, so I can't do it and I don't know anybody who can. I don't want to take it to the shop if I can help it. The trans was givivg me no proplems in daily driving, No little drips that would have my attention. Just one day Bamm it went. I've got to get it fixed its brcause it's for sale The Engine is top notch. I wish I could keep it!! It's the orginal but it's been warmed over with a different set of heads. cam. coaded Hedman hedders, ect. It's really a nice car. I even have the orginal heads.
This Transmision is giving me he##!!! (8/17)
 10/27/08 6:36pm
acplus
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, - Canada

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1972, 1980


Joined: 6/23/2008
Posts: 558

Did it look like it run out under the dipstick tube area?
It almost sounds like the tranny dipstick tube oring is shot, it is at the bottom of the tube where it pushes into the tranny, try to watch at the bottom of the tube and pour a little tranny fluid in. If so this is not a hard fix.
John
This Transmision is giving me he##!!! (9/17)
 10/27/08 10:23pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

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#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
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Did the fluid run out as soon as you poured it in, or did it not run out until you started it up?
If it just ran out as you poured it in, then you prolly have a dipstick tube seal leaking, or...the bracket that holds the dipstick tube to one of the bellhousing bolts has broken loose, and the fluid is running down the outside of the tube as you pour it in.

If it only leaks with it running, then we're back to the cooler line(s), or the accumulator cover on the pass side of the trans is leaking, or...the spring for the accumulator has broken, and the broken pieces have finally worn a hole in the end of the cover. This is really a rare occurrence, but it has happened.

IT is possible that the front seal of the trans is leaking, also...when the engine is running, the torque converter will sling the oil to the passenger side...this would be the only reason you would need to have the trans removed to repair it. The other possible problems can be fixed in-car.

Mike, there's got to be another C3VR member near you somewhere, that could give ya a hand...

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Joel Adams
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This Transmision is giving me he##!!! (10/17)
 10/28/08 4:39am
zgator
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Savannah, GA - USA

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1982CE,32,000 and counting. (fast!!) 1981 Vette, black on black. ZZ4 (quick!!)


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Posts: 936

Adam. I don't think there is a member around these parts. If there is please step forward. I don't know it its leaking with the engine off or on. When i had it  running to check  the lights I didn't think of the trans. I can say that  it wouldn't have leaked that much in the probably 2-3 minutes I had it on. Would it leak out if I have a tosted  line?? I've got another qt I will test it both ways then I'll gret back to ya.
This Transmision is giving me he##!!! (11/17)
 10/28/08 8:05am
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

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#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


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Another idea...the '81 would have a 350C(lock-up) trans, which means there should be a pressure switch on the pass side, just behind the filler tube, with a two-wire connector on it. The plastic on these has been known to crack, and leak like you-know-what, and the location makes it easy to assume it is the filler tube, or the kick-down cable leaking.
However...this switch normally only has pressure on it in high gear(3rd), so it's not likely that this is the source of your leakage...
The kick-down cable could also be broken, which would create a fairly massive leak in that area...
We can guess at it all day, but sooner or later, you're gonna have to get someone to look at it, or crawl under there yourself and see. It might be a good idea to spray the area down with brake cleaner, to get as much of the wet stuff off as you can, then start it up. This usually makes it easier to locate the actual leak...

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Joel Adams
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This Transmision is giving me he##!!! (12/17)
 10/29/08 2:13am
zgator
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Savannah, GA - USA

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1982CE,32,000 and counting. (fast!!) 1981 Vette, black on black. ZZ4 (quick!!)


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I did the clean up thing. I was still unable to locate the leak. I willing to do it as many times as it takes. I'm working nights so I do have time to do it. I don't have anything to do tomorrow so look for a post.
This Transmision is giving me he##!!! (13/17)
 10/29/08 6:17pm
acplus
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, - Canada

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Will look tomorrow
This Transmision is giving me he##!!! (14/17)
 12/19/08 7:40pm
terntes
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Little Rock, AR - USA

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1982 Collector Edition


Joined: 7/10/2007
Posts: 123

  Just a thought, but my '82 vents any fluid that overfills the system. I have overfilled a couple of times and it always leaks any extra out in a big puddle immediately. If I keep the fluid in the safe zone I don't have any problem. My tranny leaks a little in both front and rear seals so, I have to check the fluid level about once a month, and add some. Everytime I add too much the extra comes out immediately. A friend told me there is an overfill vent on the case. Maybe your dip stick is not measuring correctly and you are adding too much.
terntes
This Transmision is giving me he##!!! (15/17)
 12/19/08 11:05pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

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#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


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There IS a Vent on the top of the unit...all transmissions have one somewhere. The vent is simply to allow the fluid room to expand as it heats up, without blowing the seals out in the process. Without a vent, pressure would build up, and the seals would spit the fluid out rather quickly.
If you are getting fluid out of the vent just from adding, you're either adding too much, or you have the wrong dipstick/tube for the trans, and the level is not reading correctly. The vent is at the very top of the trans...in order for fluid to run out of it if you are just adding fluid, the fluid level would have to be all the way to the very top of the trans case.

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Joel Adams
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This Transmision is giving me he##!!! (16/17)
 12/20/08 4:27am
terntes
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Little Rock, AR - USA

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1982 Collector Edition


Joined: 7/10/2007
Posts: 123

  A couple of times I may have added up to half a pint extra, just to empty out the container. I didn't think I was overfilling too much. As soon as I cranked it up to idle and recheck the level it would come out, since it was already warmed up some and it would leave a big puddle on my driveway. My transmission is a rebuild so, maybe I do have the wrong dip stick; if I keep the fluid in the safe zone and never overfill, I never have that puddle. This has happened three different times in the past several months, I thought I had a major leak but I guess not.
terntes
This Transmision is giving me he##!!! (17/17)
 12/20/08 12:30pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

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#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


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Well now...if you're adding fluid without the engine running, it could cause a burp out the vent, theoretically. What could happen is the fluid you pour in might not have time to fully drain from the filler tube into the pan before you start it up. Once started, rotational forces inside the trans, as well as the pumping forces of the pump, could cause the fluid stuck in the filler tube to form a "seal" at the filler tube. This could cause the trapped air in the trans to try to find another way out....thru the vent. I've seen that happen a time or two...
Always add fluid with the engine running, and this won't be a possibility.

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Joel Adams
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(click for Texas-sized view!)
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

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