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.

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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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.

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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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.

Will look tomorrow

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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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

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
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"