So I was about to drop the pan and all and do a ATF change and I noticed some thing I wanted to get a second opinion on.

So when I go underneath I notice some leaking fluid on the bottom of the tranny? I assume its tranny fluid. Anyone have any idea how bad it is or is it nothing? http://ahsan.fotopic.net/p4710990.html
http://ahsan.fotopic.net/p4710991.html
http://ahsan.fotopic.net/p4710992.html
http://ahsan.fotopic.net/p4710994.html

Another question, I have read on this forum that IF there is a leak changing over to a syntheric tranny fluid will worsen the leak. So should I NOT go to synthetic in this case?

 

Well I'm not an expert in this stuff but that's exaxtly where my car is leaking oil. I don't know what seal it is or anything but that's where my leak is to. If you figgure it out post it here man

 

Common, anyone have any idea about this "sticky" situation????

 

i'm no expert.
looks like its leaking there from a bad gasket. pain to fix imo.

if you have a leak you must fix it unless you want to sell the car imo. maybe its just me but if there is a problem on my car i try to get it fixed asap and get it back into optimal condition.

 

You asked about Synthetic causing it to leak worse: Most synthetic oils are made differently and have different molecular properties. Syn oils like Amsoil have very small molecular particles to allow for amazing flow and filtering characteristics. Amsoil SynATF would indeed leak worse. To an extent you'd ever notice or be able to measure, probably not.

 

why don't you just FIX IT or deal with it(note it gain and will get worse)

 

My 96 has the same wet fluid at that point, however, it never leaks on the ground, its just wet looking like that is. I changed my oil and trans pan fluid last night and noticed it.

My uneducated guess is that the torque converter seal might be leaking a bit and allowing fluid to seep down. I havent looked closely to see if thats where the engine and transmission bolt together, but it seems logical.

If not the torque converter seal, it might be the engine rear seal. At any rate, its probably somewhat normal on a higher mileage engine and wouldnt worry too much about it.

 

I don't think thats normal on high mileage cars. Mine doesn't leak and I've got 129+K. Clean it off real well and then monitor where the leak is orginating. Then go from there.

 

Try some of that ATF leak stop

 

I don't know about that recommendation... I'm wary of using all those snake oils.. who knows what else it will "plug".... the valve body has many many tiny passages...

Just my 2 cents.

 

The only way that tranny fluid can be coming out of that spot is if you have a leak in your torque converter or it's leaking where the TC connects to the transmission.

 

.. or out the rear main seal as discussed above.

Listen, unless its leaving puddles under your vehicle, I wouldnt worry about it. What you are seeing may be the result of thousands upon thousands of miles of driving. Any small oily leak will manifest itself as a big problem since the oily residue gets EVERYWHERE. The cost to fix whatever is doing that probably is not worth it in the long run unless you are having puddles of fluid under your vehicle.

 

He mentioned that it was ATF. That would be the only way ATF is leaking from that spot.



If it's oil, definately your rear main seal. Would involve dropping the tranny and removing the drive plate to get to and replace.

 

Doh!!

You're 100% right. I missed the ATF part.

 

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my Max has the same wet spot..... mine looks like oil to me.... so rear main oil seal is leaking
if it is ATF on your car.... then it is the front pump seal in the trans.... requires removing the trans to repair.... I am ignoring the small leak at this time.. until it drips on my driveway or makes more of a mess on the trans.... I just clean it up each oil change....... later

 

mine had a little bit in the same spot as well when i bought it. not a real big deal. it's got 64,000 on it. when i got it home, i put it on ramps, and cleaned it with simple green and a shop rag. now every time i change the oil, i look at it to see how bad it's leaking, and i don't see anything at all.

 

I wouldn't bother fixing it. If it was my car, I'd probably clean off the residue with a solvent and then use some high temp liquid gasket along the seam where where it appears to be leaking. The liquid gasket probably won't stop the leak entirely, but I'd bet it would stop most of it.


Dave

 

ATF stands for Automatic Transmission Fluid right? Does this mean that it happens only for Automatic? Not true because mine is a 5 speeds and it has the same oily spot. I cleaned it a few days ago with a rag. I will check it again in a few days.

 

Ya ATF is automatic trans fluid but if your is a 5 speed and leaking then its just could be MTF (manual trans fluid) instead of ATF.

 

Thanks everyone, I appreciate all the feedback. Just to followup, I dont know if I mentioned but it doesnt leak to the extent that it drips or anything. There has never been anything on the driveway below the car. Its just the staining at this point. So I think Ill probably just clean it off and observe it for now.

 

Bump old thread. mine does this and it is intermittently leaving ATF in my spot. I will take pics soon..