Transmission fluid leak around belly pan...

[jtm703]

Recently sheared off a stock skid plate. It bumped the belly pan on the transmission pretty hard. Now there is fluid leaking out around the gasket.

Could this be as simple as removing the belly pan and replacing the gasket? Can I do this in my driveway, or do I need to go to a transmission place?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[jps4jeep]

depends on the damage. you might have cracked the case. How bad is the leak and can you locate exactly where the leak is originating? the connection should be a dry connection between teh engine, transmission, tcase with no fluid transfer. What gasket are you referencing? Is it the case it-self that is leaking.

 

[Crazy4diesels]

Yes,

As Johnnny said, check for cracks in the housing. The pan gasket should not have leaked from banging the pan. It might be leaking from above the pan - or the pan might have cracked near one of the bends. Also, check the lines really well. Best of luck - John

 

[jtm703]

Oh crap. I didn't think about a cracked case. I'll get under it tonight with a flashlight and check further - thank you both for mentioning it.

When I removed what was left of the stock skid plate, I could see fluid seeping around where the pan meets the case - which is why I assumed I'd have to remove it and replace a gasket. When the skid plate was damaged, it tucked hard into the belly pan, and the whole damn Jeep vibrated like crazy until I removed it.

It seems to be leaking around 2 tablespoons worth of fluid overnight. The bottom of the transmission is coated in fluid now, so I may have a tough time finding the exact location of the leak.

Again, thanks much for the responses.

-Joe-

 

[SteelHeadz]

To give you a more difinitive location of the leak, pick up a small bottle of ATF dye and a blacklight. pour the dye into the trans. filler tube and shift it in all gears while at idle to mix the dye into the ATF. Use a degreaser to clean all the saturated areas where the leak is located then wait for the atf to leak again. Use the blacklight to isolate the source. If there's a hairline crack, you will find it.

 

[jtm703]

Everything I can see makes it look like the leak is from the gasket between the pan and the case. So, I picked up a filter & gasket kit from Auto Zone (at 90K miles, it's time for a flush-and-fill anyway) to see if that works.

Cross your fingers...thanks again, guys.

 

[jtm703]

It was indeed the gasket. When the pan was removed, there was only a sliver of it left around the pan - there were even 1/4" gaps in some places where no gasket material was present at all.

The replacement gasket is, what, 3/4" wide? What was left of the old gasket was maybe 1/16" wide.

This was quite a messy job, but worth it. With new fluid and filter, it seems to shift smoother and with little hesitation.

One disturbing thing I found, though, was a lot of black 'sludge' around the magnet. I didn't see a lot of silver metallic flakes, though. The sludge was still weird, and I don't know if I should be concerned. Again, she has 90K miles on her and this is the first t-fluid/filter change (oil is done every 5K).

Thanks again for all the replies.

-Joe-

 

[Crazy4diesels]

Glad to see you didn't have a cracked housing!! The black sludge you found on the magnet is normal. That is all steel powder which has accumulated. As the transmission wears those filings will collect on the magnet again. Best of luck - John

 

[jtm703]

That's what I was hoping to hear, John. Thanks a million!

-Joe-

 

[SteelHeadz]

So as long as there is no big chunks of metal, you'll be fine..