Topic: This Transmision is giving me he##!!!
in Forum: C3 Driveline Components
Already a Member?
Click Here to Login
Not yet a Member?
Click Here to Register for Free!

Moderator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20218
Vette(s): #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
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...
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...

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)
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.
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

Moderator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20218
Vette(s): #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
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.
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.

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
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

Moderator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20218
Vette(s): #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
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.

Always add fluid with the engine running, and this won't be a possibility.

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
in Forum: C3 Driveline Components
SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)