Make sure that your thermostat housing isn't leaking. Often it leaks on top of the transmission, and it runs down underneath, giving the impression that the transmission itself is leaking.

If the thermostat housing is fine, you should check the valve cover, and also make sure the power steering line, which runs blow the t-stat housing, is not leaking. You may also want to have a look at the axle seals to see if one of them is leaking.

 

It is a oil so my guess is its not thermostat related. The Valve cover has a good seal around the front and from what can be seen the side (cant see the back)

I will take a look at the power steering fluid to see if its low, I remember checking fluids and its at the same level it has been at for the last few years, but will look again.

Would axle seals go bad that quickly? when installing the new tranny I also have new half-shafts installed (the old ones had play in the joints and where toast), so the axles shafts saw new parts....

Thank you for the help, I will recheck those items and go from there.

 

Other than worn out axle seals (which is most common) the trans could also be leaking between the clutch slave cylinder and bellhousing. That causes trans fluid to drip down the inside of the bell and out that little rectangular hole at the very bottom of the bell. Usually caused by not using the proper anerobic sealant when installing the slave cylinder. Been there, done that. :thumbdown

 

How long would you say it would take for the leake to occure if wrong sealant was used? Its been installed for the last 2 years (pluse a few months) with no issues... would the seal take that long?

What all is invloved with replacing the axle seals and/or how can you identify the axle seal is the issue?

 

How long would you say it would take for the leake to occure if wrong sealant was used? Its been installed for the last 2 years (pluse a few months) with no issues... would the seal take that long?

When I used the wrong sealant it lasted about 50 miles, but that was a dedicated track car, so the abuse it took was greater than a DD.

What all is invloved with replacing the axle seals and/or how can you identify the axle seal is the issue?

If the axle seal(s) are bad there usually trans fluid on/around where the axle(s) enters the trans, and it will sometimes sling fluid in that general vicinity. Best way to determine is to clean the trans case throughly all over. If you don't have a pressure washer you can put the front of the car on ramps/stands and use engine degreaser with a standard water hose to get all the fluid off (dirty, wet job). Once clean just keep a close eye and see from where the fluid is leaking.

Removing the seal(s) requires:

1. Drain the trans fluid. Note** If you don't want to have to drain the trans, then jack the car up only one side at a time and replace that "high side" seal. Doing this will force the fluid to go toward the other side of the trans and will not drain out the side on which you're working.

2. Remove the axle(s). Note** the driver's side axle has a snap ring and therefore requires an CV puller or other method to remove (i.e. it doesn't just slide out of the trans like the passenger's side axle).

3. Remove the seal(s). Using a seal puller or screwdriver remove the seal from the trans. They generally do not come out easily and require some effort to remove since they're an interference fit with the trans case.

4. Install the new seal(s). Use a seal installer or large socket and fully seat the new seal in the trans case.

5. Reinstall the axle(s). Make sure when re-installing the driver's side axle that the snap ring fully seats in the trans.

6. Refill the trans (if drained)

HTH,
Dan

 

would there be a leak coming from the boot that the axle goes into? If it was the axle seal that would have a fair amount of fluid in it right?

I will clean the bottom of the trans and motor and detail the crap out of it and take a look at the engine on a daily basis.

 

would there be a leak coming from the boot that the axle goes into? If it was the axle seal that would have a fair amount of fluid in it right?

I will clean the bottom of the trans and motor and detail the crap out of it and take a look at the engine on a daily basis.

If you had a split/cut in one of the CV boots that would only sling thick bearing grease, nothing that would drip on the ground. Trans fluid is thin like motor oil, so a bad axle seal could barely seep or drip a decent amount as the seal gets worse.

 

.. its been a while since I have worked on a trans-axle, i thought the axle seals where located on either side of the trans-axle sealed from "elements" by the boot....

Wow, My focus has been so much better to me then my Jeep, I have logged in 10x the amount of work/hours on the jeep compared to the Foci...

 

^^Nope, the boots only seal the "CV" portions of the axles. The seals are installed on both side of the trans where the axles slide in to the diff and their job is to keep the transmission fluid from leaking out. See pics below: