Tranny leaking just a few drops

[coopns]

02 Grand Caravan 145k. Tranny had the pan dropped/new filter at dealer after is gave various codes about a year ago. They replaced filter cleared the codes, runs fine. Last 5 months noticing drips around pan on driveway. Snugged up the nuts a bit but not sure if I should again or would that squeeze out all the goo. Would like to avoid taking pan off. I also noticed on the stick that there is a bit too much fluid in there, not awful but above full line. What should I do with the whole thing?

 

[Ojustracing]

Make sure its from the pan. They have a valve pack in the front of the tranny that leaks and makes it look like the gasket. Also where the rubber lines attach to the tranny are another common leak point I see. John

 

[01rangerxl]

The goo shouldn't squeeze out. If they sealed the pan with RTV, it set about an hour after the pan was installed. The bolts shouldn't be backing out either though. Torque all of the bolts the right amount then keep an eye on it. If the leak continues, you will need to remove and reseal the pan. See if an OEM gasket is available; there may be a reusable one. There's nothing wrong with RTV when used correctly, but there's less of a possibility of an installation issue with a cut gasket. How far above the full line is the fluid?

 

[coopns]

Just a shade above the full line. My buddy has a impact gun to snug them a bit more. Also, am I in trouble if it is the valve pack? I will have another look but I remember seeing fluid around the pan seal area and a bit behind it. Might be valve pack area I don't know what the is or looks like though. Thanks.

 

[ET16]

I would try to torque the bolts to spec. If you go to far over you risk deforming things.

 

[MNgopher]

No need for an impact gun to snug up transmission pan bolts. A torque wrench on the other hand...

 

[2oldtommy]

Impact wrench on pan bolts = one destroyed tranny housing.FWIW---Oldtommy

 

[HTSS_TR]

Did you check the ATF fluid level after engine warmed up with engine running or engine off ?

 

[JTK]

Probably a long-shot, but have you checked the vent tube on the top of the transmission case? If it's pinched or plugged, pressure will build in the case and ATF will take the path of least resistance out seals or gaskets. I've seen some vent tubes with little filter/spargers on them. Often they'll get caked with mud to the point they won't breathe like they need to and you'll have leakage issues. Joel

 

[Rand]

Originally Posted By: coopns

Just a shade above the full line. My buddy has a impact gun to snug them a bit more. Also, am I in trouble if it is the valve pack? I will have another look but I remember seeing fluid around the pan seal area and a bit behind it. Might be valve pack area I don't know what the is or looks like though. Thanks.

WHAO.. torque wrench is your friend.. I would never use an impact on transmission bolts.. not even to remove. The spec is usually somewhere between 10-20ft/lb which will feel really loose.

 

[coopns]

If I drop the pan, should I use ATF or a gasket? And, I have tranny fluid unopened that is about 5 years old, should I use it?

 

[Ross]

If the front of the pan is wet, there is a good chance it the solinoid valve pack located on top of the front side of the trans. If the pan is only wet in the back, then its more than likely a pan gasket/rtv leak. I have owned two chrysler minivans 92 and 00. Between the two of them I have replaced the solinoid packs about 6 times due to leaking over the years. They tend to leak more when cold and sometimes they will never leak in the summer, but come winter, out comes the drips. If its the rtv gasket leaking and its only leaking from the bolt hole, I have had luck carefully removing the bolt and using a little rtv on the inside of the head. But if the rtv seal is leaing between the pan and the trans, you will need to drop the pan. Make sure you let rtv dry 24 hours too.

 

[Ross]

Originally Posted By: coopns

If I drop the pan, should I use ATF or a gasket? And, I have tranny fluid unopened that is about 5 years old, should I use it?

you should use rtv. Chyrsler does make a replacement metal and rubber gasket that can be reused. Try googling for a part number. Many have had luck with this. The aftermarket cork and plain rubber once don't work as well. Using just rtv is normally the best on this application. But again, make sure its not the solenoid pack 1st. If it is the rtv gasket, ask the dealership is the leaking is under warranty. They should give you some kind of warranty 90 days or a year against leaking.

 

[coopns]

My buddy and I had a look. It was the solinoid valve pack. (I have never seen one before, just from what you described). It is attached to the tran and there is a little seam you could see it was damp. Should I just leave it, it really is very slight leak. There isn't any product you could seal that seam with? (Probably is starting to sound to odd).

 

[Ross]

Only realy cure is to replace it. If the few drops don't bother you, than just leave it. The leaking will slow or stop next summer, but will return the following winter. I gave up paying the $200 from the dealer and found that ebay is your buddy. You can purchase them for $50-75. They are rather easy to change. After you do it the 1st time the next time (and yes there will be a next time) will go much faster.... Make sure you clean or wash all the crud away from the solinoid before you remove it. You don't want dirt falling down into the trans when you remove the old unit.

 

[Ross]

This is what the top of the trans looks like that you mount the bottom of the slenoid to (gasket inbetween) Keep this area clean This is what the bottom of the solinoid looks like