Transmission Leaks...Help!

Azulin · 09-09-2009, 07:25 AM

Long story short, My 92 Wrangler has been sitting for about four years. I just got it running...rebuilt the engine. I been driving it for a week. I'm leaking oil(transmission fluid). The problem is pointed out...YOu can see where the old "puddy stuff" grey sealant may be cracking off...(on the transmission)... It is dripping a lot...the skid plate is full of it)
I do not have much tools but I am willing to buy what I may need to get this done. Drop it, reseal it put it back on... Is this a weekend job? Get a Hayes book or the Chilton... any advice would be highly appreciated... I have spent all my money in getting her to run again, at this point I am just overexhuasted with everything, but I want her to be my daily driver....
I got some electrical problems as well...
the lighter will not work, my gas gauge don't work, the wipers wont work but when I turn the switch inthe steering column I can hear the little motor turning...
These are all little things that are starting to add up and just driving me crazy...
any advice and/or help in this would be greatly appreciated...
can I pull this off?
I have a date with the mountains that will now be postponed till next weekend again...ugh...

**Louie4** · 09-09-2009, 08:14 AM

First off do you have an automatic or 5 spd? What color is the fluid?

As for the lighter, check your fuses. If that's not it check power to the fuse panel. For the gas gauge check the plug down by the tank. See if you have power there. I assume it does since your jeep will crank and run (assuming that too). Does the gauge stay on a certain level or just on E?

For the wipers you'll probably need to fold the windshield down and check the linkages if the motor is still turning.

Azulin · 09-09-2009, 08:31 AM

Oops sorry, It is a 5 speed. Uhm about its color, at first glance i thought it to be dark or what not so I first thought it was motor oil....getting on my finger from the source, I see that is clear and has a different smell to it...
I do nt have any mechanical skills but I am willing to learn and dive in there... but yeah, I am very basic in these skills...
thanks for the advice on the gas gauge and the wiper....
They did try and attempt to steal the jeep once and they broke the steering column, I think this is where my electrical problems with these guys originated...
Thanks for your time and expertise

Azulin · 09-09-2009, 08:51 AM

Oh about the gas gauge it stays just a lil bit above empty, it does not collapse all the way down... when I fill it up with gas and I turn it on, it sometimes/randomly reads full... then while driving it drops back to empty....

**Mean Max** · 09-09-2009, 09:09 AM

It can only leak from a few places. Start by checking the drain & fill plugs to make sure they're tight & make a good seal.

A front or rear leak would possibly come from the input & output shaft seals.

And the least likely place would be where the front & rear case halves seal up to the intermediate plate.

Start by cleaning it thoroughly, and then checking it to get a better idea of where your leak may be coming from.

Pics will help us help you, so take some & post them up!

Max

2wheelmatt · 09-09-2009, 12:45 PM

I just had to replace my rear output seal between the TC and the tranny. I had never done anything like it before and the job only took me about 5 hours. Just don't let yourself feel like any less of a man because most of the guys around here can do work like this in less than an hour.

Once everything is cleaned up be sure to check very carefully. The area where my leak was coming from was almost impossible to see. Just about everything was covered in oil so cleaning everything to diagnose was done on one day and the work was done on another.

And just think, when you're done, you'll know just how to plug a leaky tranny.

Azulin · 09-09-2009, 12:47 PM

THank You very much....I work an hour away from where I live, but when I get home I will take pictures and try to post them ASAP.
The actual drip can be seen from the oil pan plug, wiped that off then saw the trail on the front part of the skid plate, as I was wiping that I saw the damage in the front, I have a hard time explaining as I do not know what I am talking about...Pictures I will take pictures....
Would I need any special tools to pull this off?

Azulin · 09-09-2009, 12:54 PM

I really appreciate all the advice I am receiving...As long as I can pull it off on a saturday and sunday and stop the darn thing I will be happy... No matter how long it takes, I gotta figure this thing out... and she is babee so I got to learn about her..lol, you know...

Still trying to figure out what tools I will need and either to buy the HAynes or the Chilton, since it seems I lost both....
all input is appreciated....

2wheelmatt · 09-09-2009, 12:56 PM

A tranny jack would help. Also, when mine was leaking, the entire skid plate and underside of the transmission were all soaked. Just make sure what's actually leaking before you go buying a bunch of wrong seals. You might also need to replace your tranny mount if the oil has ruined that as well.

**Louie4** · 09-09-2009, 01:56 PM

A good jack and hand tools will be all you need, and maybe a another set of hands. A pry bar might help separating the bell housing from the engine. Also, the two top bolts on the transmission are torx head bolts. I don't know what size because I rounded mine off and ended up hammering a 3/8" socket on it.

I recommend degreasing everything as it will help determine where the leak is and make your life a lot easier when pulling it out and putting it in.

Another thing, if you end up taking the tranny out is is a good idea to replace the whole clutch assembly and pilot bearing.

**Mean Max** · 09-09-2009, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Louie4

A good jack and hand tools will be all you need, and maybe a another set of hands. A pry bar might help separating the bell housing from the engine. Also, the two top bolts on the transmission are torx head bolts. I don't know what size because I rounded mine off and ended up hammering a 3/8" socket on it.

I recommend degreasing everything as it will help determine where the leak is and make your life a lot easier when pulling it out and putting it in.

Another thing, if you end up taking the tranny out is is a good idea to replace the whole clutch assembly and pilot bearing.

Those are E12 Torx size bolt heads.

I replace them with allen head bolts, there isn't a lot of room for using a socket on a standard hex head bolt up there.

Max

**Louie4** · 09-09-2009, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mean Max

Those are E12 Torx size bolt heads.

I replace them with allen head bolts, there isn't a lot of room for using a socket on a standard hex head bolt up there.

Max

Sweet, lets hope he learns from my mistake. I ended up pulling the engine/trans/t-case out as a unit just to replace the clutch. I replaced those bolts with hex heads as well.

Azulin · 09-10-2009, 07:26 AM

Azulin · 09-10-2009, 07:29 AM

I went to the local jeep hot spot yesterday ( and used some of their tools, they are good folk... they advised that before I go all crazy and buy a bunch of tools, to try a "stop Leak" fluid which I will buy at autozone or something and then drive it all friday and then if things do not go well use the weekend to drop the tran.... anyway I hope the pics help, i am not sure why they do not come up on the actual post...
I was also told it may be the Front input shaft seal...
I did clean the heck out of it yesterday and then ran out of sunlight...
thanks

**Louie4** · 09-10-2009, 07:34 AM

Don't use any stop leak stuff. It never works but that's just my experience. Take a look at your reverse light switch where the wires come out. My transmission is leaking there. I replaced the o-ring but now I see its coming out from where the wires come out of the switch. Just a thought though.