Sooo, I guess the 5th gen maxis have been known to have gasket issues and what not? My brother saw the leak around the tranny and he identified it as tranny oil. He took the car to a mechanic we know. I am guessing a gasket by mechanic is around 700-800? You think that is the issue? I wish I could give pictures but I am out of state and can't obtain them at this time.

I know its a shot in the dark but I figured I would try here. At least if a mechanic gives me a bogus estimate I will know.

 

It could be an axle seal. You'll see the fluid making a mess where the axle goes into the tranny. If that's the case it shouldn't be too bad. Certainly nowhere near $800.00.

If it's the seal for the main shaft, they'll have to pull the tranny. You'll see that the fluid is coming from a little square hole where the tranny and engine bolt together at the lowest point. If that's the case, think about getting a clutch too since nearly all the labor of a clutch job is pulling the tranny.

For what it's worth, my money is on the axle seal.

 

Well I am hoping for that then, how much does an axle seal usually run? Labor and all....

 

The seal is only a few dollars from Nissan.
I don't know how many hours the job books for but it's much less than pulling the tranny. It should be similar to changing an axle. It's a pretty straight forward job so they should be able to give you an estimate pretty easily.

Once you get a diagnosis, call a few shops and get some estimates.

 

Thanks for all the great responses in both of my threads Derrick.

This isn't a picture of my vehicle, this is a picture my brother found online to trying to explain to me where the leak was coming from. He said its coming around where that yellow stripe in the back is. What do you think that is?

 

Can't tell much from that picture. That's from a rear drive car so it's a completely different setup.

 

Lol, my bad.

Well, I guess I will find out what the mechanic says sometime today. I will keep you posted and let you know what he says.

 

See if he can take some pics while the mechanic has it in the air.

BTW, how did he determine it was tranny fluid?

 

I wish I could get some pictures but he already dropped it off and he is at work so don't think he can.

He said it looked similar to what tranny fluid looked like and looked like coming out of tranny.

He took it to one mechanic we know and that mechanic confirmed tranny fluid and recommended a tranny specialist that he took it to. So I am going off what I hear so I really cant be too specific on it. I will be flying back to Florida tomorrow so hopefully by Monday I will have it situated but might know the conclusion today.

 

I am just hoping it's not too bad of a problem and I replace gaskets and end up being barrings than replacing axle seals, etc parts and keeps on leaking.

I just got this thing!

 

I have to drive from Florida to Colorado so I want to get this fixed by next week so I don't blow the tranny on the road trip in the Maxi ;D

 

Mechanic said the tranny has to be opened to figure out whats up. Ugh, he said labor gonna be around $700 to open and then the parts are gonna be "Cheap". Looks like I have a 700-1000 bill headed my way, ugh.

Will post back to let you know what he finds out when he opens it.

 

Opened or removed? Shouldn't have to open it. The only place it should leak is from the axle seals or the main shaft seal.
Once it's out, the seals are easy to put in.

 

Ya, probably meant removed not opened. I just relayed the message I got from my brother. I am going to talk to the mechanic myself when I get a chance when I am out of work. I haven't talked to him personally, yet.

 

it's the input shaft seal if it's not leaking from an axle seal. axle seal is an easy fix, so if the mechanic is referring it to a transmission specialist it's either the input shaft seal or he shouldn't be working on cars. i'm assuming it's the former.

if the input shaft seal is leaking then it's leaking for a reason, and that reason is that your input shaft front bearing has gone bad. replacing the seal won't fix your problem, and the bearing issue will continue to get more severe, accelerating oil loss and eventually compromising the internals of your transmission (assuming they're not already, depending on how long it's been leaking/how bad the bearing is/how much oil has been lost).

replacing the input shaft seal is basically about 70% of a transmission rebuild. pretty much the whole transmission has to be taken apart except the gears and hubs pressed off the shafts.

 

Thanks for that very articulated response. That was helpful, he said a bearing went bad and the back plate needs to be replaced.

So I think it matches up with what you said...

P.S. Anyone know what the "back plate" is? Is that just a plate sealing the tranny?