[StarmanDXE]

So, I posted this over in the S60 forum and now no one seems to want to help me with my followup question(s)...

Quick background:

It appears that in the same ordeal (before I got the car) which busted up the radiator (which got replaced replaced) and broke one of the fog lights (which didn't get replaced and I haven't bothered with yet) also took a chunk out of the bottom of the transmission:



So, needing to know how the fluid was holding up, I drained it and refilled it. It came out black (probably original for all ~110k miles) and appeared to be full, so I was happy about that. Now, with the new stuff in, I have been keeping an eye on it, and it is definitely leaking. It's a very slow leak, though. I never see any drops on the pavement, but I can always wipe a little bit off of that bolt there with the chunk missing around it. I'm guessing it's on the order of ~1 mL per week (if that), but it's still bothering me. (And I'm still not sure if it only leaks when the transmission is run, or if it does it all the time.)

Now, my question is this:

1) Can I put something on there to seal it up? JB Weld? Silicone sealant? [/I]Something else?[/I]

2) Would it be foolish to bond the two halves of the transmission casing together? (i.e. Would I foreseeably want to have the transmission worked on instead of just junking it and putting in a "new" one?)

Thanks for any/all help!

 

[VTT5]

Re: Manual transmission leaking fluid (StarmanDXE)

The proper way to seal it would probably involve removing the tranny, cracking it, sanding and sealing the mating surfaces, and putting it all back together. You don't want to know what that would cost.

Not sure if applying something to the outside would be an issue. You can only get rebuilds these days; if the fix didn't work and you ended up needing to replace the unit (say, when you had it out for a clutch) would this mean you'd forfeit the core charge if the tranny you sent back was JB Welded? Would it matter if the damage prevents this from being reassembled in the original casing?

I guess the math here is over the likelihood of the fix working. If it works, the above concern is moot. If you still have a leak the eventually requires replacement, then it's legit.

This is my long-winded way of getting to this (while letting you in on my twisted reasoning): this won't get hot like an auto transmission, so start with the least intrusive solution (silicone) and work your way up until it stops leaking.

Good luck!

 

[StarmanDXE]

Re: Manual transmission leaking fluid (VTT5)

Thank you, sir. Very good answer

Some interesting things I had and hadn't thought about directly and indirectly.

Quote, originally posted by VTT5 »

The proper way to seal it would probably involve removing the tranny, cracking it, sanding and sealing the mating surfaces, and putting it all back together. You don't want to know what that would cost.

You are correct!

Quote, originally posted by VTT5 »

Not sure if applying something to the outside would be an issue. You can only get rebuilds these days; if the fix didn't work and you ended up needing to replace the unit (say, when you had it out for a clutch) would this mean you'd forfeit the core charge if the tranny you sent back was JB Welded? Would it matter if the damage prevents this from being reassembled in the original casing? I guess the math here is over the likelihood of the fix working. If it works, the above concern is moot. If you still have a leak the eventually requires replacement, then it's legit.

Any idea what a rebuilt transmission costs? And what the core charge would be (assuming I wouldn't be able to get it back)? I hadn't even thought about getting a rebuilt tranny and was basically just planning to snag one from a junkyard or something. Maybe I could price just the housing/casing if someone else would have a need for just the gears?

Quote, originally posted by VTT5 »

This is my long-winded way of getting to this (while letting you in on my twisted reasoning): this won't get hot like an auto transmission, so start with the least intrusive solution (silicone) and work your way up until it stops leaking. Good luck!

That is a good idea. I hadn't thought about the lack of heat, but I had thought that silicone might not hold just due to the fact that it could get worn off from rocks and stuff kicking up from the road (and my car doesn't have a skidplate for whatever reason

) So, I guess I'll try the silicone (and also try to source a skidplate!) If that doesn't work, got any suggestions for something between silicone and JB Weld?

And, if all else fails, and then my clutch fails, I'll just try and couple the labor charges and have them replace the tranny at the same time

Thanks again! http://********************/smile/emthup.gif

 

[StarmanDXE]

Re: Manual transmission leaking fluid (StarmanDXE)

Blargh!

So, I siliconed it, and it was still leaking slowly. The bolt towards the back seemed a tad loose, so I decided to tighten it. In my infinite ignorance, I decided that the thread diameter must be the same as the socket size, and I torqued it until it broke...

Started dripping much faster than it was before. Had nothing to lose, so I JB Welded the crap out of it. Seems to be leaking much slower. (Hope it's not just the colder weather...

) Looks like I'll be picking up another two tubes of JB Weld in the hopes of getting the leak to stop...

Hopefully at least someone reads this and doesn't make the same (idiotic) mistake that I did...

 

[VTT5]

Re: Manual transmission leaking fluid (StarmanDXE)

Oh, man -- sorry to hear that!

 

[StarmanDXE]

Re: Manual transmission leaking fluid (VTT5)

Live and learn...

But, I'm gonna try some JB STIK before going with a whole new tranny...

 

[rogersampson]

Re: Manual transmission leaking fluid (StarmanDXE)

Can you get to the broken bolt with an Easy Out, or something similar?

Now that it is not holding anything, the broken piece should come out pretty easily. May need to use angle drill, Easy Out by itself, etc.

I would not be too concerned about JB Weld being an issue. It is a good product, and I have used it, but it can be scrapped off.

 

[SML]

Based on my experiences with JB Weld and a radiator, I really wouldn't waste your time or money.

Get the broken bolt out and re-torque the bolt.