Tranny Leak

I got a pretty bad tranny leak right now and I’m having a hard time finding exactly where it is coming from. I know its a tranny leak because I filled it up not too long ago and recently when I stuck my finger down in the fill hole, I couldnt feel any fluid. It almost looks like it is coming from the axle on the passenger side. But there is fluid above that area also just not quite as much. I can see fluid underneath the starter on top of the tranny and I can also see it on the sub frame. The area with the most fluid looks to be right on top of the axle. Any ideas what it could be?

There is a seal where the axle goes in. Its not an expensive part. You will have to remove the drive shaft to install it. I replace mine when I do axles just to be on the safe side. When it goes bad the drive shaft spins and it throws oil in every direction.

You can see it in this picture. The seal is the black rubber part that surrounds where the arrow is pointing to.

So when that seal leaks, it doesn’t just drip fluid, it actually slings it around everywhere? I was thinking it was that seal too but it just didn’t make sense how the fluid would be above where the axle sits. But if it indeed does shoot out, that might explain it.

It can drip when sitting. It tends to leak more while driving since the oil is heated.

Here is a quick howto I found. Not for a Honda but its the same thing. If you do it yourself investing in the removal tool is a good idea. Its tricky to remove without one. You don’t have to use the installation tool, you can place the old seal over the new one and tap it in place with a hammer.
http://www.automedia.com/Replacing_Axle_Seals/ccr20060401as/1

good luck!

Yea a year ago when i put my engine in, I remember looking at that seal when I was reinstalling the axles and thinking that I should replace it but I never did. Now that I finally have been driving the car around, I’ve noticed the leak

well now next time you have that thought, you might listen to yourself:D

thankfully thats a very easy fix, and shouldnt take up more then an hour of your time:up:

Another possible problem I am wondering about is the VSS. My VSS is not fully secured because the hole on the VSS for the 10mm bolt broke off of it. What I am confused about is that I read where people actually fill up their transmission through the hole for the VSS. All along I though the VSS was lubed up from the power steering fluid not the tranny fluid. Could this be tranny fluid out everywhere?

The VSS is lubricated through the PowerSteering system. Notice the two hoses on top? They’re routed to the PS system.

People fill the tranny through that hole because its easier to get a hose down there rather than through the side of the trans.

As long as the hoses are still intact, and the VSS feels like its properly seated in the tranny, your leak is more than likely coming from the axle seal.

also a seal on the intermediate shaft. check that one as well

There’s no fluid in the intermediate shaft though… its just grease for the inner-bearing, isn’t it?! That was my impression. Either way though, im betting on a seal rather than the VSS.

The intermediate shaft is on the driver’s side right? This is on the passenger’s side. It is cool to know that I can fill up the tranny from there. Thats alot easier than using the filler hole and having to run a hose and funnel to fill it up. I will probably change out the axle seal today and hope that fixes it.

where the intermediate plugs into the trans there is a seal. but now that you mention it, and judging by the design of that seal, i think it is just a dust seal to protect the seal on the trans side.
yes. the int. shaft plugs into the dr. side
and you can buy a plunger type pump to fill the gear oil. i’m sure it’s not more than 10$. but whatever you feel works best

[QUOTE=welfare;2151074]where the intermediate plugs into the trans there is a seal. but now that you mention it, and judging by the design of that seal, i think it is just a dust seal to protect the seal on the trans side.
yes. the int. shaft plugs into the dr. side
and you can buy a plunger type pump to fill the gear oil. i’m sure it’s not more than 10$. but whatever you feel works best[/QUOTE]

Ohh, I was thinking you meant the female end of the intermediate shaft, lol. I was gonna say, the shaft itself isnt filled with anything.

But yes, each side of the transmission case (driver and passenger) both use an oil seal to keep the fluid from leaking out of the trans.

I put two different axle seals in and I’m still getting the leak and still think its coming from the axle. Could there be a problem with the tranny? Also, can it leak from where the shift linkage goes into the transmission?

does anyone know how to replace that piece where the axle seal goes on? i think it’s called the transmission seal? a simple 10 dollar job that i was doing might’ve turned into a hundred dollar job if not a few hundred dollar job. i am in a deep hole right now please need any help i can get.

Hey, what kind of tool did you use to remove filler cap? How much torque should I tighten it