Fluid Leak Diagnosis

Fluid Leak Diagnosis

Notice:
The transmission fluid level must be checked before fluid leak diagnosis is performed to prevent damage to the transmission.

Check transmission fluid level.

General Method
1. Verify that the leak is transmission fluid.
2. Thoroughly clean the suspected leak area.
3. Operate the vehicle for 24 km (15 mi), or until normal operating temperatures are reached.
4. Park the vehicle over clean paper or cardboard.
5. Shut OFF the engine.
6. Look for fluid spots on the paper.
7. Make the necessary repairs.

Powder Method
1. Thoroughly clean the suspected leak area with solvent.
2. Apply an aerosol type powder, such as foot powder, to the suspected leak area.
3. Operate the vehicle for 24 km (15 mi), or until normal operating temperatures are reached.
4. Shut OFF the engine.
5. Inspect the suspected leak area.
6. Trace the leak path through the powder in order to find the source of the leak.
7. Make the necessary repairs.

Dye and Black Light Method
A fluid dye and black light kit is available from various tool manufacturers.
1. Follow the manufacturer's instructions in order to determine the amount of dye to use.
2. Install the dye.
3. Detect the leak with the black light.
4. Make the necessary repairs.

Find the Cause of the Leak
Pinpoint the leak and trace the leak back to the source. You must determine the cause of the leak in order to repair the leak properly. For example, if you replace a gasket, but the sealing flange is bent, the new gasket will not repair the leak. You must also repair the bent flange. Before you attempt to repair a leak, check for the following conditions, and make repairs as necessary:

Gaskets
^ Fluid level/pressure is too high
^ Plugged vent or drain-back holes
^ Improperly tightened fasteners
^ Dirty or damaged threads
^ Warped flanges or sealing surface
^ Scratches, burrs, or other damage to the sealing surface
^ Damaged or worn gasket
^ Cracking or porosity of the component
^ Improper sealant used, where applicable
^ Incorrect gasket

Seals
^ Fluid level/pressure is too high
^ Plugged vent or drain-back holes
^ Damaged seal bore
^ Damaged or worn seal
^ Improper installation
^ Cracks in component
^ Manual or output shaft surface is scratched, nicked, or damaged
^ Loose or worn bearing causing excess seal wear

Possible Points of Fluid Leaks

Control Valve Body Cover (29)
^ Incorrectly tightened control valve body cover bolts
^ Improperly installed or damaged control valve body cover sealant
^ Damaged control valve body cover or mounting face

Case Leak
^ Lube Fill Plug (70)
^ Wiring connector O-ring seal (46)
^ Damaged manual shift shaft seal assembly (713)
^ Loose or damaged fluid cooler pipe fitting seals (87)
^ Loose fluid pressure test hole plug (66)
^ Porous casting

Leak at the Torque Converter End
^ Converter leak in the weld area
^ Converter seal lip cut. Check the converter hub for damage
^ Converter seal bushing moved forward and damaged
^ Converter seal garter spring missing from the seal
^ Porous casting of the transmission case or the fluid pump

Leak at the Vent
^ Overfilled system
^ Water or coolant in the fluid. The fluid will appear milky
^ Transmission case porous
^ Plugged vent (815)
^ Drain-back holes plugged

Possible Fluid Leaks

Possible Fluid Leaks:

1 - Automatic Transmission Fluid Pressure Test Hole Plugs
1 - Automatic Transmission Fluid Pressure Test Hole Plugs
2 - Front Wheel Drive Oil Shaft Seal
3 - Front Differential Carrier Seal Assembly
4 - Automatic Transmission Fluid Pump O-ring Seal
5 - Automatic Transmission Fluid Pump Body Seal Assembly
6 - Torque Converter Assembly
7 - Automatic Transmission Output Speed Sensor O-ring Seal
8 - 3rd Gear Band Anchor Bolt/Screw
9 - Automatic Transmission Input Speed Sensor O-ring Seal
10 - Lube Fill Plug
11 - Automatic Transmission Wiring Harness Assembly
12 - Manual Shift Shaft Seal Assembly
13 - Automatic Transmission Vent Assembly
14 - Control Valve Body Cover
15 - Transmission Fluid Cooler Pipe Fitting Seal
16 - Automatic Transmission Case, Automatic Transmission Case Cover Assembly or Torque Converter Housing Assembly - Porosity
17 - Automatic Transmission Case Cover Assembly to Automatic Transmission Case
18 - Automatic Transmission Case Plug O-ring Seal
19 - Torque Converter Housing Assembly to Automatic Transmission Case
20 - Automatic Transmission Case Plug O-ring Seal
21 - 3rd Gear Band Servo Piston and Cover O-ring Seal
22 - Transmission Fluid Drain Plug