Trans Reinstall and MTF fluid spill?!

[Marcos]

So I finished a trans reinstall which included a change of the trans seal at the input shaft, seal came out somewhat easily and went back in fine with a nice wide socket tapped in carefully.

Was taking the car to the shop to do a cat-back system and realized I forgot to reconnect the oxygen sensor. Pulled over and shut her down to plug it in, suddenly had what I assume (hopefully) to be bit of a boil over, excess trans fluid.

I had let the trans get rolled over on the wood planks I had it set on and it had lost some fluid during my work on the car. Then as I finished the job, I squooshed some fluid back in and I think I overfilled it because it was still flowing a fair bit from the fill point when I plugged it up.

It was dripping just slightly when I dropped it off... Am I on track here? I hope so... What is the "blowoff" valve on top of the trans about? Is it for this very situation?

couldn't find a prayer smilie... would really hate to take that thing out again

[jlevie]

There is a vent on the top of the transmission and it will leak fluid if it gets below the fluid level in the transmission. It is possible that you overfilled the transmission. Get the car up in the air and check the level.

[LowR3V'in]

It might be leaking at the shifter seal.
Allot of people overlook it. Good luck.

[Marcos]

Frustration, thought I had it right

I was wondering if I may have damaged the input shaft and if that would cause bad leakage?

When I previously mentioned a spill after pulling over, the amount seemed to be about a cup. What is strange to me would be the idea that something suddenly failed when I stopped. I know fluids have a tendency to boil when hot in motion then stopping, like an uncapped radiator might do if you shut down the motor.

Besides the input shaft, I suspect the seal at the input shaft, I doubt the shifter end because I watched the whole cup just sort of spill out suddenly when I reached down to reconnect the 02 sensor. At the bellhousing end of the trans right down over the aluminium and apparently useless tray.

I'm going to check the fluid later in the day. I was hoping that it was a "boilover" out of the vent but was still dripping after coming back from the muffler shop.

Well, the exhaust sounds great anyway...:roll:

I can't stand the thought of pulling the damn trans again, what would a shop charge to do this? Also, I imagine if I damaged the input shaft I will need a new trans yes?

[E30Gus]

1st. are you sure it is transmission fluid. I ask because coming out of the bell housing towards the rear of the engine it could be either tranny or engine oil.
When you had the tranny out, did you replace or at least inspect the rear main seal of the block?
If it is transmission fluid I would just keep an eye on the level. I don't have ramps or a lift so when I fill my transmission i overfill it all the time (car jacked on an angle). Then the shit leaks out slowly. I noticed as it has been dog mouth hot here, my fluid has been leaking a little bit faster than normal. And this is after input, output, and shifter seal replacement.

[Marcos]

Interesting, I'm sure its MTF, has that very distinct odour. No I didn't do the crank seal because it was good and shiny, trans must have been out for PO. Yeah I guess it's really up to me to check the level tonight and say a little prayer.

And damn it is effin hot, wtf!?

[E30Gus]

No kidding man, I'm HATING it!
If it is this hot now, what the Hell is July/August gonna be like?

[blocke]

My car is doing this EXACT thing, but mine looks like a horse is taking a piss when I stop. It is NOT slow. I think I either F'd up the input shaft seal, or the seal cover is leaking. I was reading that the cover has an oil groove that's supposed to point a certain direction..its possible I overlooked this trying to rush to get done in one weekend. Now I am having to drop my tranny a THIRD time. (first was for clutch swap, second cause i put the TB in backwards, now third for the leak).

[Marcos]

You know, that may be the very problem right there. Thing is, when I reinstalled the shaft cover it seemed there was no way that any MTF would be in there. I swore it would all be behind the seal. Why have the seal if it goes past this point?

Also, I have conflicting information. One of my guides, (101 Performance Projects) does not mention any sealant on the guide tube. The Bentley however does indicate that you should either use a new gasket or Loctite depending on model (ZF vs Getrag).

[blocke]

You know, that may be the very problem right there. Thing is, when I reinstalled the shaft cover it seemed there was no way that any MTF would be in there. I swore it would all be behind the seal. Why have the seal if it goes past this point?

Also, I have conflicting information. One of my guides, (101 Performance Projects) does not mention any sealant on the guide tube. The Bentley however does indicate that you should either use a new gasket or Loctite depending on model (ZF vs Getrag).

I was there too...I ended up NOT putting any sealant on it..thinking the same thing: "Whats the point of the input shaft seal then?"

Now I'm going into round 3 with the tranny..this time without access to a lift.

[Cinnabar325is]

Any updates please!! I just put my motor and trans back into the car, drove it out into my driveway and it's leaking fluid out the bottom of the bell housing. New input shaft seal. Thanks. :(