Trans leaks bad in reverse!

928 Go Go Joe · 08-13-2008, 04:43 PM

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum. my name is Joe and I live just outside of Philadelphia. I own two 928's , one an '83 Auto in "Rubinrott" (Ruby 1) and another I just acquired from Brian Felts (nice guy). That one is an '84 Auto also in Ruby Red (Ruby2)! Ruby 1 is more of a project than Brian's old car so I'm working on Ruby2 to be my main weekend car.

I've gone through a few things to bring it up to snuff, Delco-Remy CS130 alternator mod- charges great, oil change, fuse contact cleaning, etc. But the main problem I've come up against is a bad trans fluid leak when in reverse. And I don't mean a few drops either, but a steady stream down my driveway until I can get it in drive. Once in drive, no problem, no leaks! Brian lived with this problem for over a year and I was told about it before I bought the car. But I'm hoping to cure it's leaky ways.

Brian thought it is probably the oil seal behind the main pump or a torque converter seal of some type. He tried Lucas transmission conditioner to no avail, still leaks like crazy. I'm not sure that he put in enough as one can probably is not enough to treat a trans with such a large capacity.

So what am I looking at here? Could it be something with the torque converter? Some kind of opening that only leaks in reverse? I watched the leak with the car running in reverse and the parking brake set. It's definitely leaking inside where the bell housing and trans case come together. There must be a drain hole right in that spot on the bottom. If left that way, I bet I could drain most the fluid out of the trans in short order. I'm thinking of putting several cans to trans stop leak in it as a final act of desparation before considering any major disassembly.

But if there's no other way to fix it, what are my options? Is it possible to get to the oil seal without pulling the trans? Is there a "down and dirty" way to remove the torque converter? I am a pretty competent mechanic and my new 928 buddy, m21Sniper said he'd help. If not and I take it to a professional mechanic, how much money am I looking at in labor to replace a $10 oil seal?

Any thoughts, options or hints would be greatly appreciated. By the way, this a great forum. I've been lurking on it for months and I'm now glad to a member. Thanks in advance!

-Joe

m21sniper · 08-13-2008, 08:24 PM

Welcome to the forums bro.

Hopefully Dangler will have some info on this.

Danglerb · 08-13-2008, 08:33 PM

Welcome to the forum Joe.

I don't have a clue about AT leaks, but MANY successful 928 repairs start with the words, I decided to bite the bullet and go ahead and blank the whole thing..

If it was my car I would drop the rear suspension, pull the tranny and torque tube and refresh the whole business back there.

No matter how you choose to do it, remember, playing with your 928 is FUN, so smile while your wrenching.

928 Go Go Joe · 08-14-2008, 06:41 AM

Transmission Leak Update!!!

I went out this morning with the intention to run the car to warm up, put a oil catch bucket under it and really observe how bad the leak is when in reverse. Guess what? After about 15minutes of watch fluid stream out from the torque converter housing, it started to slow, then drip, then stop leaking!!!!

Altogether, it had maybe half a pint too much. Now the reservoir shows the level in neutral at MIN after a couple runs around the block. It may get into the mid level range after being run longer and hotter.

To say I'm relieved is an understatement. Now no more "trail of tears" as I backup down my driveway. Glad to be here and for now, a new happy 928 owner!

Thanks again,

-Joe

m21sniper · 08-14-2008, 08:53 AM

Did we mention that 928s are self-repairing?

Lucky break Joe, sweet!