Coachella Valley Mechanic

[Starter986]

What if it's just the seal? I'd rather keep my transmission.

If a tech identifies it's another problem... a pump seal or something for which parts are hard to or impossible to source... then a might consider a used tip from Woody.

Any thoughts on the dye/camera approach... see if it's going to be an impossible to source part before the transmission is removed? $105 plus a tow. Watcha think?

Thank you!

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by Starter986

What if it's just the seal? I'd rather keep my transmission.

If a tech identifies it's another problem... a pump seal or something for which parts are hard to or impossible to source... then a might consider a used tip from Woody.

Any thoughts on the dye/camera approach... see if it's going to be an impossible to source part before the transmission is removed? $105 plus a tow. Watcha think?

Thank you!

My guess is that if it's coming out between the bell housing and the engine block, without removing the tranny, I don't know how they could tell tell if it's the seal, the pump or the TC even with the dye test. So, if you have to take the tranny out anyway I can't see how the dye test would be of much help, because once the tranny is out you should be able to see where the leak is coming from anyway.

Having said that, I've only done dye tests on A/C units, not trannies so take my statement with a grain of salt.

Did you ask them specifically if they could tell whether the leak is coming from the front seal vs. the pump with the tranny still bolted to the engine? If they say yes, I'd ask them how.

[Starter986]

Originally Posted by piper6909

My guess is that if it's coming out between the bell housing and the engine block, without removing the tranny, I don't know how they could tell tell if it's the seal, the pump or the TC even with the dye test. So, if you have to take the tranny out anyway I can't see how the dye test would be of much help, because once the tranny is out you should be able to see where the leak is coming from anyway.

Having said that, I've only done dye tests on A/C units, not trannies so take my statement with a grain of salt.

Did you ask them specifically if they could tell whether the leak is coming from the front seal vs. the pump with the tranny still bolted to the engine? If they say yes, I'd ask them how.

The guy said they would introduce the dye... and insert a camera into the transmission. I asked if it was going to be one of the 'holes' under the transmission (one through which I can see the dry flywheel teeth). Yes. One of those holes. Start the engine... camera through hole reveals from where the dye is coming. Then I'll know which way to proceed: repair or replace.

Another question: I have the exhaust removed right up to the exhaust manifold. The manifolds remain attached to the engine... but nothing fron there on back. Should the car NOT be swtarted without the pipes on? If the car was started... might that cause some problems with valves... or anything else? Thanks!

[blue62]

Originally Posted by Starter986

The guy said they would introduce the dye... and insert a camera into the transmission. I asked if it was going to be one of the 'holes' under the transmission (one through which I can see the dry flywheel teeth). Yes. One of those holes. Start the engine... camera through hole reveals from where the dye is coming. Then I'll know which way to proceed: repair or replace.

Another question: I have the exhaust removed right up to the exhaust manifold. The manifolds remain attached to the engine... but nothing fron there on back. Should the car NOT be swtarted without the pipes on? If the car was started... might that cause some problems with valves... or anything else? Thanks!

The shop is giving you a good first step of a proper diagnosis for a reasonable price.
You have to start somewhere and the dye in an attempt to locate the leak is spot on in my opinion for a first step.
Starting the car with the exhaust pipes removed will not hurt anything except your ears

[Starter986]

Originally Posted by blue62

The shop is giving you a good first step of a proper diagnosis for a reasonable price.
You have to start somewhere and the dye in an attempt to locate the leak is spot on in my opinion for a first step.
Starting the car with the exhaust pipes removed will not hurt anything except your ears

Thank you, Blue. A neighbor suggested that with the pipes off any cold air getting sucked into the exhaust manifold might damage the valves.

OK. Next step is getting the car to the shop.

Thank you!

[blue62]

Originally Posted by Starter986

Thank you, Blue. A neighbor suggested that with the pipes off any cold air getting sucked into the exhaust manifold might damage the valves.

OK. Next step is getting the car to the shop.

Thank you!

I first heard the cold air getting sucked into the exhaust and damaging the valves "wives tale" back in the sixties.
But it is just that an old wives tale