Leaking transmission

LQQKatJon

LQQKatJon

Well-known member
Oct 22, 2010
3,228
550
113
St. Cloud, Mn
lqqkatjon.blogspot.com
After spending a few hours cleaning my driveway off from my coach dripping in the same spot for 7 years, then seeing the mess it is making on the
ground while it has been hovering up on a lift at the exhaust shop, I am realizing I need to address this a little bit.

I do not believe it is the governor or the dipstick tube. I also know the o-ring is new on the modulator.

My plan is to drop the Pan and super seal up the pan, and see about shift linkage and where kickdown wires go in.

I believe my leak is mostly because the torque converter leaks down when it is parked. I hope to not do a tranny rebuild this year, maybe next
winter.

My question is asking advice on parts (o-rings??) for the kickdown wires, the shift linkage. And also anything about the speedo cable?

And preferred pan gasket?

I am not sure I will change the filter. It maybe has 6000 miles on it. I am not racking up big mileage. I am aware of fitment issues with some
filters.

Hope to have my gmc back from exhaust shop next week, so this maybe next weekend's project. Need it to leak "less"
--
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
 
Jon,
Your wasting your time, unless you can figure out where the oil is leaking
from.
Suggest you wipe things down to where you'll see fluid leaking.
Pan should be hammered out straight as possible and use sealent to augument
the gasket.

> After spending a few hours cleaning my driveway off from my coach dripping
> in the same spot for 7 years, then seeing the mess it is making on the
> ground while it has been hovering up on a lift at the exhaust shop, I am
> realizing I need to address this a little bit.
>
> I do not believe it is the governor or the dipstick tube. I also know
> the o-ring is new on the modulator.
>
> My plan is to drop the Pan and super seal up the pan, and see about shift
> linkage and where kickdown wires go in.
>
> I believe my leak is mostly because the torque converter leaks down when
> it is parked. I hope to not do a tranny rebuild this year, maybe next
> winter.
>
>
> My question is asking advice on parts (o-rings??) for the kickdown wires,
> the shift linkage. And also anything about the speedo cable?
>
> And preferred pan gasket?
>
> I am not sure I will change the filter. It maybe has 6000 miles on it. I
> am not racking up big mileage. I am aware of fitment issues with some
> filters.
>
> Hope to have my gmc back from exhaust shop next week, so this maybe next
> weekend's project. Need it to leak "less"
> --
> Jon Roche
> 75 palm beach
> St. Cloud, MN
> http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
Jon,

This piece is a common source of leaks and is easy to replace, but not easy to repair, plus the price is right:

http://appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/1681

The best pan gasket I have seen is one that Jim K sent me with a new Ragusa pan. I think it was a Federal Mogul (FelPro). I prefer to not use any
type of sealer on the pan gasket and it works well. Just be sure the gasket surface on the pan is flat and torque the bolts to the spec (I think it
is 12 - 15 Ft Lbs).

Make sure the cooler lines and adapter fittings are tight.

I think the linkage is an O-ring seal that you need to drop the valve body to replace. Someone might correct me on that one.

Do you still have a tranny dipstick for me?
--
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
 
Spray on foot powder is a good way to find the leaks after you clean everything up as Jim suggested. Spray the powder on the trans and see where it
gets soaked with fluid.
--
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
 
I’m pretty sure mine is leaking from the speedo cable seal at the “bullet”.

Why do you say “not easy to repair”? I bought a new seal from a GM dealer - that was my plan... Should I be expecting it to still leak after I replace it?

I would have just replaced it (from Jim K) - but two way (to send the core back) cross border shipping sounded like a hassle...

Rob
Victoria, BC
76 Royale - Rear Twins/Dry Bath

>
> Jon,
>
> This piece is a common source of leaks and is easy to replace, but not easy to repair, plus the price is right:
>
> http://appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/1681
>
> The best pan gasket I have seen is one that Jim K sent me with a new Ragusa pan. I think it was a Federal Mogul (FelPro). I prefer to not use any
> type of sealer on the pan gasket and it works well. Just be sure the gasket surface on the pan is flat and torque the bolts to the spec (I think it
> is 12 - 15 Ft Lbs).
>
> Make sure the cooler lines and adapter fittings are tight.
>
> I think the linkage is an O-ring seal that you need to drop the valve body to replace. Someone might correct me on that one.
>
> Do you still have a tranny dipstick for me?
> --
> Carl Stouffer
> '75 ex Palm Beach
> Tucson, AZ.
> Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
> Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
 
Carl- I am pretty sure I have your dipstick. As you seen from my facebook posts the extended winter and my header/exhaust problem has been not
helping me out.

I put the new dipstick in when I installed the headers. But have not had time to verify how well it works and make sure it is what I want. I also
want to make sure that is not a new cause of extra leaking.

Hopefully I will settle on all that next weekend. But my coach has been sitting on the lift at exhaust shop now two weeks. He should have it done
now monday.

--
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
 
Augument the seal with RTV sealent at the tube.

> Carl- I am pretty sure I have your dipstick. As you seen from my
> facebook posts the extended winter and my header/exhaust problem has been
> not
> helping me out.
>
> I put the new dipstick in when I installed the headers. But have not had
> time to verify how well it works and make sure it is what I want. I also
> want to make sure that is not a new cause of extra leaking.
>
> Hopefully I will settle on all that next weekend. But my coach has been
> sitting on the lift at exhaust shop now two weeks. He should have it done
> now monday.
>
>
> --
> Jon Roche
> 75 palm beach
> St. Cloud, MN
> http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
Rob, My understanding (from more than one source) is that that seal is hard to come by. I have no idea how difficult it is to replace as I took the
easy way out and just bought the assembled 'bullet' from Jim K a few years back.

Jon, I'm not really in a big hurry for the dipstick, so whenever you decide to part with it (or not) is okay with me. Let me know if you decide to
keep it, and I will look elsewhere.
--
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
 
Hey Jon,

I spent a lot of time straightening my pan and used the basic rubber-type gasket that came with my filter (Wix). No sealant, no leaks :)

Shaun
--
1977 Palm Beach, 455, mostly stock and original
 
Ah - OK.

I found the seals at a GM dealer on the north side of Seattle, after a few calls. I picked up two (!) on my way past a few months ago. It looks like it’s just held in there with a circlip of some kind.

I’m hoping it fixes my leak - it got much worse last season and it appears that it’s the main source of *my* leak...

Rob
Victoria, BC
76 Royale - Rear Twins/Dry Bath

>
> Rob, My understanding (from more than one source) is that that seal is hard to come by. I have no idea how difficult it is to replace as I took the
> easy way out and just bought the assembled 'bullet' from Jim K a few years back.
>
> --
> Carl Stouffer
> '75 ex Palm Beach
> Tucson, AZ.
> Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
> Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
 
Following this with interest this morning. Went out yesterday afternoon to start getting L'il Sister sorted for the summer, and discovered there has
been a small, slow drip over the winter into the driveway. Its under the rear corner of the transmission pan, driver's side, but I don't know the
actual source yet. This morning I will be heading under to clean it up and see where it may be coming from. And then check the fluid level to see how
much I actually lost. Naturally there was NOTHING all last summer & fall when it was parked in the same spot. She is not parked quite level - maybe
about 2-3 degree downgrade, with the rear lower than the front. Had no choice - This spring, between other jobs, I am going to get the front yard
prepared as a parking lot for her. Pretty level and the grass won't grow there anyway!

So I have just added one more little mechanical chore for my neighbour to help me out with ;)
--
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
"Li'l Sister"
'77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
TZE167V101404
It's Bigger on the Inside!
 
What looks like a pan leak can be disceaving as there are places above the
pan line that can leak down and land on the pan gasket.
Always look above and check the speedo output and the tran line fittings
and the fill tube.

> Following this with interest this morning. Went out yesterday afternoon
> to start getting L'il Sister sorted for the summer, and discovered there has
> been a small, slow drip over the winter into the driveway. Its under the
> rear corner of the transmission pan, driver's side, but I don't know the
> actual source yet. This morning I will be heading under to clean it up and
> see where it may be coming from. And then check the fluid level to see how
> much I actually lost. Naturally there was NOTHING all last summer & fall
> when it was parked in the same spot. She is not parked quite level - maybe
> about 2-3 degree downgrade, with the rear lower than the front. Had no
> choice - This spring, between other jobs, I am going to get the front yard
> prepared as a parking lot for her. Pretty level and the grass won't grow
> there anyway!
>
> So I have just added one more little mechanical chore for my neighbour to
> help me out with ;)
> --
> Deb McWade
> Logan Lake, BC, CAN
> "Li'l Sister"
> '77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
> TZE167V101404
> It's Bigger on the Inside!
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
We wiped down the existing fluid yesterday morning (there was not much TBH) and so far, still clean & dry. Insurance is going back on this week so I
can get her out of my driveway and up on some blocks in my neighbour's flat wide driveway to get a better look. So far, it looks like it was a very
slow leak around the pan gasket. But won't know for certain till we can get better visual access (gonna break out the snake!) and a flat surface to
park & work on. And while it's there - the spring oil change, lube etc. And still working on the Onan. If we can't get her going, I am seriously
looking at a replacement jennie.
--
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
"Li'l Sister"
'77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
TZE167V101404
It's Bigger on the Inside!
 
Db,
I notice that you mentioned you wanted to get it up on "Blocks". It is my
sincere that you are not talking about using cement blocks! That is very
dangerous with the weight of our coaches. Only use steel jack stands or
reinforced wood ramps as many have built.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/ramps/p55239-wooden-ramps.html
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/rear-ramps/p42929-rear-service-ramps-8.html
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/wooden-ramps/p55382-wooden-ramps.html
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/rear-ramps/p42925-rear-ramps-7.html

J.R. Wright
GMC Great Laker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMHI
TZE Zone Restorations
78 Buskirk Custom 30' Stretch
75 Avion (Under going Frame up Restoration)

> We wiped down the existing fluid yesterday morning (there was not much
> TBH) and so far, still clean & dry. Insurance is going back on this week
> so I
> can get her out of my driveway and up on some blocks in my neighbour's
> flat wide driveway to get a better look. So far, it looks like it was a
> very
> slow leak around the pan gasket. But won't know for certain till we can
> get better visual access (gonna break out the snake!) and a flat surface to
> park & work on. And while it's there - the spring oil change, lube etc.
> And still working on the Onan. If we can't get her going, I am seriously
> looking at a replacement jennie.
> --
> Deb McWade
> Logan Lake, BC, CAN
> "Li'l Sister"
> '77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
> TZE167V101404
> It's Bigger on the Inside!
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Should have used quotation marks :) Yes - talking about some 4x4 wood blocks & jacks. Just enough to give us an extra few inches to get around
underneath if need be. I saw someone with a 40' trailer up on cinder blocks, and even THAT made me a little nervous! I would shudder to think what
one of our coaches could do! I like wood - doesn't compress overly much and doesn't crumble to dust.
--
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
"Li'l Sister"
'77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
TZE167V101404
It's Bigger on the Inside!
 
>
> And still working on the Onan. If we can't get her going, I am seriously looking at a replacement jennie.

Deb,

Unless the Onan has damaged is some way, it should be very possible to get it running right. Those things are late iron age technology so there is no
magic, all it takes is attention to detail. The ignition is weak, but the Pertonix on the flywheel mod fixed most of that. When they are right, they
are great.

Good Luck,

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
 
I learned about cinder blocks and cars when I was about 18. I had a big old Packard crumble one is slow motion while I was under it. I scrambled out
from underneath it just in time. Never again.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
Those of us in the rural southeast always used Coke crates... they were hell for strong.

--johnny
--
76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
"I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased
 
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