Transmission Leaking

[Yellowdart]

I had the oil and coolant changed, on my 82 Cordoba. The mechanic mentioned that the trans was leaking from everywhere, and needed complete resealing. Does anyone have an idea, of how much this might cost? i haven't got an estimate, yet. Thank you.

 

[Aspen500]

Before that, it should be cleaned up, and then find the actual source(s) of leakage. If it's got fluid everywhere, no way to know for sure where it's coming from, and what needs to be done to fix it.

They can put dye in the fluid, and using a UV light and special goggles, any leaks will show up bright yellow.

 

[Camtron]

Tell them to clean the trans and find where it’s leaking. That’s going to greatly affect the cost of things. A number of seals can be replaced while the transmission is still in the car. Could be the .75cent o-ring for the rear band pivot shaft. That guy takes about 3 min to replace while the trans is in the car…

 

[AMC Diplomat]

The redneck option: just let it leak and top it off with fluid as needed. If ya ain't losing more than a quart (what is that, a liter in Canada units?) a month/thousand miles then it's no big deal

 

[Yellowdart]

The car is not used in winter. I added one liter last summer, then the mechanic added one liter last week. The cardboard that I keep under the car, in my garage,was soaked, He said it was dripping, while in his shop. He is retired, and has a hoist, in a barn, where he does minor service on cars.

 

[Camtron]

Gotcha.
Most shops are going to charge a rebuild price for the labor. A complete seal/gasket job is more than half a rebuild if the shop pulls the trans and tears it down to clean up mating surfaces to ensure a good seal. While they do all that, may as well check clutches and kick down band; may as well check servo seals; may as well plan on a rebuild. Probably $1,300-$2,300 depending on shop and what all they do and charge for.

 

[Mikes5thAve]

If it's coming out to replace seals it might as well be rebult. The input seal on our 90s GM truck got so bad you had to add a litre every time you went out. It was around $1,600US I think to have it rebult. It didn't need it but it wasn't much more.
I'd want to know where it leaks, don't want to spend a lot if it's something simple.

 

[Yellowdart]

Thanks for the advice. I guess I'll leave it. One liter per year is not terrible. The mechanic who worked on the car, thought the transmission would have to come out.

 

[Camtron]

Internal seals aside, the only seals you can’t really get to with the trans in the car are the front pump oil seals and gasket. Otherwise you can pull the drive shaft, drop trans mount/crossmember and trans pan, drop the valve body and remove the tail shaft housing all with the trans is still bolted to the engine in the car. From there the pan gasket, shifter seals, speedometer gear o-ring, tail shaft oil seal, tail housing gasket, rear kick down pivot shaft O-ring and even the servos could all be resealed; probably a couple others I’m forgetting… I still have my trans apart and out of the car, lol

 

[Mikes5thAve]

Taking the transmission out of these is the easy part of the job.

 

[Yellowdart]

Internal seals aside, the only seals you can’t really get to with the trans in the car are the front pump oil seals and gasket. Otherwise you can pull the drive shaft, drop trans mount/crossmember and trans pan, drop the valve body and remove the tail shaft housing all with the trans is still bolted to the engine in the car. From there the pan gasket, shifter seals, speedometer gear o-ring, tail shaft oil seal, tail housing gasket, rear kick down pivot shaft O-ring and even the servos could all be resealed; probably a couple others I’m forgetting… I still have my trans apart and out of the car, lol

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Thanks for all the info. right now, I'm heading off to Carlisle, Pennsylvania

 

[AMC Diplomat]

Thanks for all the info. right now, I'm heading off to Carlisle, Pennsylvania

Well if you're driving this thing there with a leaky trans, keep an eye on it

 

[DCAspen]

Thanks for all the info. right now, I'm heading off to Carlisle, Pennsylvania

How long of a ride from Ontario to Carlisle is it for you

 

[armataz]

I had the oil and coolant changed, on my 82 Cordoba. The mechanic mentioned that the trans was leaking from everywhere, and needed complete resealing. Does anyone have an idea, of how much this might cost? i haven't got an estimate, yet. Thank you.

the shop should be able to give you an estimate . if the seals are bad, and you have never had it serviced, it might be a good Idea to spend the money now, to have a full check and service done. it would be a great time to have it checked for wear. then to be stuck and needing a tow later. just my opinion.