Is there a mechanic in the house?

[Penguinfan]

I don't know much about cars and zero about transmissions, but my 2000 Cirrus is leaking transmission fluid, I'd say nearly a pint a day at this point. I was gonna take it to the tranny shop tomorrow but my neighbor offered to look at it first.

For about half an hour we couldn't find the leak, then he said it must be the pan gasket because he cleaned it off and now it has fluid on it again, seems reasonable to me. He offered to fix it tomorrow and we filled it up with fluid so I can get to work and the parts store tomorrow.

I just ran to the parts store now and looked under the car when I came back and I see spots of fluid above where the pan gets bolted on. Isn't the pan gasket located right where the pan gets bolted on? Again, seems reasonable to me.

If I see fluid above that spot wouldn't it make sense that the gasket is not the problem? Where could that leak be coming from then?

Thanks for any help.

 

[RAYMOND]

maybe its time for a new car

 

[freelancc]

maybe its time for a new car

:mj15:

 

[Morris]

The gasket is where it bolts up to the tranny. Fluid could have blown up above when you drove the car. GL

 

[Morris]

After thinking about this it's probably the coolent lines that run into the front of the tranny. They have a tendancy to rot and under pressure they will leak and blow fluid back around the gasket giving the appearence the gasket is leaking. You said a pint a day. A gasket wouldn't leak that much unless it had a pretty big hole in. The fluid in the lines are under pressure and could leak that much. The other thing would be the solenoid pack near where the lines enter. That has a gasket too but I'm guessing one of the lines is bad GL Let me know how you made out.

 

[Penguinfan]

Thanks Morris, gonna change that gasket tomorrow and take a look with him. I tonly seems to leak right after the car has been driven so fluid running down back into the pan and leaking out of the gasket makes as much sense as anything.

I will ask him to look at the lines as well though.

Thanks a lot.

 

[DOGS THAT BARK]

Before you take it to transmission place--take it to shop and have them change fluid-filter and gasket-- should cost you less than $50 --will probably fix it--

 

[Morris]

If it was the gasket it would leak all the time. There is always the majority of the fluid in the pan. Only leaking while you drive it indicates the fluid is being forced out. GL

 

[Old School]

:mj07: I take it not to many fellas here who work on their own trucks and cars.:mj07:

the fellas have given some good suggestions..

my 02cents worth..

take the car to a power wand car clean stall.

pressure clean all you you can underneath the car..every bit of fluid,grime and dirt that you can..
after you finish.. drive the car out where you can at least see underneath for any immediate leaks..

losing 16oz a day is considerable and you may spot leak right away..if not..get the car on regular old drive up ramps for working on your car at home.Easier to spot the leak or leaks with it somewhat clean.hopefully the short drive to the ramps for inspection will divulge the problem.Transmission leaks are sometimes slow trailers...so using a flashlight helps to detect the origin..

transmission leaks are not always easy to find.

hopefully it as Morris suggested and gasket is shot..you buddy probably knows this but be sure to clean the surfaces real good when replacing gasket..

Have many mechanics with 20 plus years of busting their knuckles at my beckon call so if it still is a problem just drop a note in this thread and I will get one on the phone and describe the symptoms..



good luck...

 

[kneifl]

Penguinfan

Penguinfan

A piece of advice if yu need a good mechanic cheap. Check out www.craigslist.org. I have found a mom and pop shop mechanic that charges me next to nothing to get work done. A lot of these guys are looking for work on this website to do at cost or very cheap. Check out the ads and you'll see what I mean. I was amazed at some of the quotes I got from here after calling around to regular shops.

kneifl

 

[Old School]

just got off the phone w/mechanic

2000 Cirrus notorious for gasket leak at the pan..

after pressure cleaning you should be able to see leaks at the bolts..

be sure to let fluid leak to a complete stop.clean area til completely free of any debri and fluid..
gasket should be applied w/no gasket sealer..use green locktight on the bolt threads ..your buddy is probably aware of this..

good luck...

 

[Old School]

A piece of advice if yu need a good mechanic cheap. Check out www.craigslist.org. I have found a mom and pop shop mechanic that charges me next to nothing to get work done. A lot of these guys are looking for work on this website to do at cost or very cheap. Check out the ads and you'll see what I mean. I was amazed at some of the quotes I got from here after calling around to regular shops.

kneifl

great advise ...

kneifl you have probably noticed that there are some good buys on LCD and projection hi def tv's as well..college kids looking to unload present from mom and dad and young married couples who realize they should have never bought an expensive tv they could't afford..

also for those in military towns some nice CASH buys on autos from guys getting shipped out or transfered..

 

[Penguinfan]

Quick update

Quick update

Changed the gasket yesterday, actually, put a gasket on as there wasn't one to begin with, just a bead of silicone.

Felt pretty good that the gasket was the problem after seeing that. Got out to the car this morning and about a dime size drop of fluid under car, thought it could be from anything.

Drove to work, no problems, went to leave work and a pretty good size puddle under the car.

Took the car to the mechanic, let him figure it out.

 

[Morris]

Let us know.

 

[airportis]

Let us know.

you got mail

 

[RAYMOND]

good luck with your car

 

[Eddie Haskell]

In addition to my law practice, I know a little about cars and do screen door repair in my down time. I'm not sure about this gasket stuff, but you may have a lemon law case. Treble damages, puni's and atty's fees. Come to papa.

Eddie

 

[Penguinfan]

In addition to my law practice, I know a little about cars and do screen door repair in my down time. I'm not sure about this gasket stuff, but you may have a lemon law case. Treble damages, puni's and atty's fees. Come to papa.

Eddie

Well, who can I sue over all this f'n snow!


:rant2: :rant2: :s1: :banghead: :chairshot

 

[Agent 0659]

Nice signature....

 

[Penguinfan]

Old School

Old School

Mechanic says it's the transmission itself leaking. Pretty common problem, so much so there is a factory made kit to fix it.

Involves dropping the tranny, gonna get it done for $575. Not happy about the expense, but honestly glad I am getting away from this that cheap.