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[John Lewis]

Hi all

Done my gearbox selector switch (Cheers Chris) and now have noticed I have a leak from the autobox. Looks like its the seals that are leaking; the car must have been dry of DexIII for quite some time because it was bone dry 3 months ago when I got it. Upon changing the switch I noticed red oil around the bellhousing, on the join, but didn't notice it was red at the time (cam cover recently changed thought it was from that). The guy who done the cam cover noticed some on his drive.

Its dry again now, gears shifting pretty poor even with a known good switch on. Slipped out earlier downhill then engaged in 2nd at 30-odd nearly giving the missus whiplash  [smiley=shocked.gif]

So..

How do you replace the seals, is it a gearbox off jobby? If it is, is it worth doing? car is only on 70k (S/98 2.0 16v saloon auto). Prob needs an autobox filter change too whilst we're there. Any feedback would help, ta!

[MutantCav]

If the gearbox has been dry for too long it may well be knackered (technical term) if so I have an AR35 box here for not much money (although would need collection)...would imagine seals are a box off job...cant relly see why taking the box off should be that hard...remove the propshaft bolts and the bolts holding the box on and slide out?? Or is there stuff in the way of removal?

[John Lewis]

Hiya mate I saw you had that - but how much roughly am I looking at for labour in swapping boxes? Not something I'm about to try myself I tell thee!

Any Macclesfield/Manchester members that fancy a pop at it?

[MutantCav]

I would say 2 hours max...less if its on a ramp...but not actually done it so cant be certain...anyone know for sure??

[Marie]

right...

could you get me a picture of where the old is dripping from please.

i have had several problem with the AR25 box and fixed them all she now works a dream.

running a box dry is not a good thing to start with.
I dont want to start quoting possibilitys to you. if you can get me a picture ill be able to tell you where to go from here.

i wouldnt jump straight in at changing the box though.

[John Lewis]

Cushty, thats what I likes to hear, a Pomponian too. I used to be one of those! Got some piccies somewhere, give me a sec. Thx

[MutantCav]

Wasnt suggesting a box change as the first point of call...only if it turns out the box is knackered...gotta eliminate everything else first

[Marie]

i know you wernt chris! sorry if it came accross wrong!

Where's my pics i have been waiting ages

what do you mean Pomponian?

[Pitchfork]

i know you wernt chris! sorry if it came accross wrong!

Where's my pics i have been waiting ages

what do you mean Pomponian?

He means from Portsmouth (close enough to Gosport as makes little difference)

[John Lewis]

Arrgh sorry, bloody busy!! Off on my hols Friday and every man and his dog are calling on their artwork!!

To top it off my wi fi's gone down, cables all over the place. Arrgh

Yeah sorry Pomponian is someone from Pompey - I was DJing there on Spitbank Fort a few wks back, twas ace!

Anyways, the pics...



Also bear in mind these were taken the day after I had my cam cover replaced.

[Marie]

its difficult to tell where its comin from as thier is load of oil from the cam covers.

are you 100% certain that its auto transmission fluid?  
sorry just read your inital post.

i would say its one of three things.

firstly it could be the torque converter seal letting buy but buy the looksof the pictures possibly not.

it could be the seal/gasket between the bellhousing and first part of the gearbox, the seal could be craked and broken which would let oil out. since this part of the gear box is pressureised.

the pump bush has become worn and is allowing oil to leak by the torque converter seal. if thi is the case stop drivin it and get the work done asap cos driving it will cause damage to the torque converter which is the expensive bit.

which ever the one of these its a box out job.
its a same you dont live closer as i have a great gearbox garage around the corner from me. they did the work on my box for me.

you have 2 choices here

1. take the car to a gearbox garage and see what they say just buy looking at it. you wont get a deffinate answer but they hopefully will come out with one of the 3 above.

2. replace the box. but remember its a lottary with used boxes. you will also have to get oil  (looking around £45 with tc just for the oil. ) filters and gaskets.

sorry its not good news.

You are looking around £200 quid for a garge to remove and refit a gearbox. then you have the cost of fixing the snag.

let me know what you decide and what the snag actually is. same you dont live closer and i would come and remove the box WITH you.

[John Lewis]

Wow, thanks very much, a top answer!

Yes, this could be engine oil from the rocker cover hanging around, but my guy said he saw red fluid the other day and its lumpy on shifting right now. I'm going on my hols for a week (taking the Astra with 1000k on I reckon!!) so I'll get it topped up and leave some cardboard under there to give it a look.

My ma lives in Portsmouth still, so if I get no joy up here I might take a few days out one week over the coming months and arrange a trip down to your local garage. I'll keep you posted. Thanks bundles for all your help Marie/everyone, just hope I sort it.

[MutantCav]

Torque converter isnt that expensive...I have 2 in the garage (although one is sold!) from good 3.0 Omegas...wouldnt set you back much either if that tuens out to be the problem lol

[Marie]

he is driving a 2ltr so unfortunaltly if it is that he wouldnt be able to use yours ( being a 3ltr)

i hunted high and low for a 2ltr TC and had no luck as most are sold with the gearbox.

a new one costs in the regon of £180.

having the pump bush replaced was only around £70 and that included the seal between the bellhousing and first part of the gearbox. i also had the tc seal replaced as well in that price.
the bloke reckoned another £200 @ for removal and refitment of the box of the car. but i had the great help of Pat and Kevin.

Here hoping the £££ are not to high for you to fix it. The cheepest option isnt always the best as i found out!