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Dodge Pickup Automatic Transmission question

R

Robert in Md

Member
I have a solid old 89 Dodge 3/4 ton pickup with a leaky transmission

My mechanic says the front seal is leaking. There is oil everywhere

around the transmission. My question is if I fill the transmission and

the truck sits for 2 weeks the oil level has lost 2 quarts, is the

oil level above or below the front seal. If the level is below the seal

I would think there would be no leaking until the truck was running.

Which would mean the pan was leaking. I would change the pan gasket if

that would fix the problem but I don,t want to pull the trans to fix the

front seal. I don,t think the truck is worth that expense.

Robert in Md.
 
Maybe the oil from the torque converter is just draining back to the trans but leaks out of the weak front seal instead of working back to the trans.
 
The oil level rises some when you shut if off but I believe it should be below the seal. If the torque converter drained back it goes into the case and would raise the level. However, I think you would see some hesitation when first taking off while it pumps the converter back full. It shouldn't drain. There is a valve in the body.

If the seal is leaking it will be dripping out of the housing where the torque converter resides.

You drop the tranny, pull the torque converter. Pull the seal out and replace the seal and then the converter. Reinstall. This would be the minimum.

RT ( My 2?)
 
Mine is a little newer being a 2001 but when I got it last year, just about a year ago it was using fluid as well and the complete tranny was covered. Turns out that they had a problem with the pan rusting out and leaking.
 
There are a few seals that can leak near the pan area. The neutral safety switch, trans shift linkage, wiring pass through and pan gasket. It might have a front seal leak but those don't leak like that if only sitting. Its possible the converter shell could be cracked, or drain plug if it has one.

What I would do is clean it up real good, fill up and let it sit. After sitting see where the fluid is coming from. It might be a good idea to check the leak in a day or two, without driving or running engine.
 
The dipstick tube has a seal on it that likes to leak. Fairly easy fix. I had a trans crack the bell housing around the pump area, it only leaked when running.
 
I have a 92 Cummins with auto tranny. It began leaking back in the summer at the pan gasket. It took a day or so to find but I replaced it and changed the fluid while at it and all has been ok since.
 
my 1992 Dodge with auto and Cummins split the convertor once,, leaked pretty good but still worked to get it tot he shop to fix it, may not be your issue
cnt
 
Dip stick tube was my problem. Of course, I THOUGHT the pan gasket was the source as the transmission was coated. Only leaked when sitting still--should have been a clue.
 
Robert, got a 93 that was doing that' Changed the pan gasket and still leaked. Turned out the o-ring at the trans on the dipstick was the culprit. Real pain to get the new one to seal, but after installing and putting the bolt back in the bellhousing, loose, took a 2x4 and tapped the dipstick in. No more leak. Good luck.
 
If I could not tell for sure where the leak was,I would jack it up,crawl under,and pressure wash it.Then I would watch for the leak to occur.That said I am leaning towards the dipstick seal also.Mark
 
The smart thing to do would be to clean it off and keep your eye on it to see where the oil is coming from.
Commonly, the converter leaks back into the trans when it is sitting overnight. That would bring the oil level up somewhat, but not over the front seal. The seal on top of the transmission where the linkage enters the case is a possible source of the leak. Pan gasket is another.
I strongly recommend against pressure washing. This can force water into the transmission which will surely damage it internally. Use a spray solvent like brake cleaner or carb cleaner to dissolve the worst of it and flush it off with a low pressure hose.
At least, that is how I would handle it.
 
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