Need Help Identifying Transmission Leak

Giri · 06-14-2022, 04:04 PM

Hey y'all

Last night I was driving back from the airport with extreme spirit. Empty roads, lots of speed...

An hour later I get home and when opening my trunk I noticed my car was covered with a sticky fluid. I looked under the car and saw the bottom of the car coated in some liquid.

As soon as daylight hit today, I drove the car up a set of ramps and I can see that it's red fluid that starts 2/3 ways back of the transmission and it's gone as far to soak everything behind it.

I did get my torque converter replaced a year and a half ago because of the transmission shudder issue but the TQ is at the front of the transmission, right?

Any ideas or guesses as to what the source of the leak might be? I'm taking the car into the mechanic that fixed the TQ last time but I'm looking for some insight to help me sleep the night before they see the car. Am I looking at hundreds or thousands of dollars?

cjperformance · 06-14-2022, 04:35 PM

Could be oil pan, cooler lines, fill or drain port. None of that prob too bad. Worst case, cracked case... then it's a new tranny. Clean it all up and just trace the leak from there. Doubtful it's the tq conv as you said it's at the front.

Trochoidal · 06-14-2022, 05:14 PM

You can reach the rubber fill plug from passenger side. That plug is 2 pieces. The center portion acts as an expansion to keep the main plug attached. It’s a quick check to see if both pieces are there and properly installed.

Sweptwing · 06-14-2022, 05:27 PM

Sure looks like you’re missing the front center pan bolt.

Trochoidal · 06-14-2022, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweptwing

Sure looks like you’re missing the front center pan bolt.

I missed that and you’re right it’s missing. Good eye!

cjperformance · 06-14-2022, 06:02 PM

No fair! I dont think there were pictures when i replied.

cjperformance · 06-14-2022, 06:03 PM

People are prob stealing trans pan front bolts now instead of cats.

Sweptwing · 06-14-2022, 06:30 PM

Yep! Hopefully a new bolt and a re-torque of the trans pan and he should be in business.

Giri · 06-15-2022, 11:44 AM

Good eye guys! I assume the transmission place forgot to put that bolt back in when they fixed the TQ in 2020. I just wonder how the bolt missing would cause a problem years down the line. There were no leaks before yesterday and the only thing different about yesterday was how hard and fast I drove the car.

Here's two short videos I shot of the transmission. It's pretty obvious that the damage actually started at the top front of the transmission - Torque converter? Whatever it is, the pressure shot transmission fluid UP and towards the engine (black plastic cover in the beginning of the vertical video)

https://youtube.com/shorts/Us_oCuCeXvM?feature=share

https://youtu.be/L2mB1aS27Mc

Dynamical · 07-02-2022, 07:50 PM

Unbelievable. Looks like 2 bolts missing. I'd be pissed if I was you. That shop would be getting an earful over this. Piss poor mechanics do that sort of thing. Seriously.
Here's another question, are you sure they didn't snap off the bolts? If so you'll have to back them out too!

06-14-2022, 04:04 PM	#1
Giri Soon to be Millionaire Drives: Blue 2016 Camaro Join Date: May 2016 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 379	Need Help Identifying Transmission Leak Hey y'all Last night I was driving back from the airport with extreme spirit. Empty roads, lots of speed... An hour later I get home and when opening my trunk I noticed my car was covered with a sticky fluid. I looked under the car and saw the bottom of the car coated in some liquid. As soon as daylight hit today, I drove the car up a set of ramps and I can see that it's red fluid that starts 2/3 ways back of the transmission and it's gone as far to soak everything behind it. I did get my torque converter replaced a year and a half ago because of the transmission shudder issue but the TQ is at the front of the transmission, right? Any ideas or guesses as to what the source of the leak might be? I'm taking the car into the mechanic that fixed the TQ last time but I'm looking for some insight to help me sleep the night before they see the car. Am I looking at hundreds or thousands of dollars? Attached Images __________________ I run a Drone Service Company in Gainesville, FL - Please visit my site and take a look Last edited by Giri; 06-14-2022 at 04:37 PM.

06-14-2022, 04:35 PM	#2
cjperformance Drives: 2017 Camaro SS 50th Anniversary Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Missouri Posts: 929	Could be oil pan, cooler lines, fill or drain port. None of that prob too bad. Worst case, cracked case... then it's a new tranny. Clean it all up and just trace the leak from there. Doubtful it's the tq conv as you said it's at the front. __________________ 2017 50th Anniversary Edition \| P1X Stage 2 DSX Aux Low Side \| LT4 high side \| Flex Fuel TooHighPsi Port Injection (installed & tuning) CircleD 3K Stall \| QA1 CF Driveshaft Forgestar F14 Drag 17x10 NT555R2 305/45/17 Rear Forgestar F14 18x8 NT555G2 235/50/18 Front 10.84@131 w/4.13" pulley ??.??@??? w/3.7" pulley (installed & tuning)

06-14-2022, 05:14 PM	#3
Trochoidal Drives: 2017 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: May 2019 Location: USA Posts: 1,656	You can reach the rubber fill plug from passenger side. That plug is 2 pieces. The center portion acts as an expansion to keep the main plug attached. It’s a quick check to see if both pieces are there and properly installed. Attached Images __________________ Roto-Fab w/sound tube delete, Katech ported TB, Pray IM, Velossa, DD side markers, DSX FF, UPR Catch can, Halo brace, My custom vent gauge pod Originally Posted by arpad_m - “Aww, yet another oil thread with almost the same question in the OP“

06-14-2022, 05:27 PM	#4
Sweptwing Drives: 2017 2LT RS V6 M/T Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Michigan Posts: 180 View My Garage	Sure looks like you’re missing the front center pan bolt. __________________

06-14-2022, 06:02 PM	#6
cjperformance Drives: 2017 Camaro SS 50th Anniversary Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Missouri Posts: 929	No fair! I dont think there were pictures when i replied. __________________ 2017 50th Anniversary Edition \| P1X Stage 2 DSX Aux Low Side \| LT4 high side \| Flex Fuel TooHighPsi Port Injection (installed & tuning) CircleD 3K Stall \| QA1 CF Driveshaft Forgestar F14 Drag 17x10 NT555R2 305/45/17 Rear Forgestar F14 18x8 NT555G2 235/50/18 Front 10.84@131 w/4.13" pulley ??.??@??? w/3.7" pulley (installed & tuning)

06-14-2022, 06:03 PM	#7
cjperformance Drives: 2017 Camaro SS 50th Anniversary Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Missouri Posts: 929	People are prob stealing trans pan front bolts now instead of cats. __________________ 2017 50th Anniversary Edition \| P1X Stage 2 DSX Aux Low Side \| LT4 high side \| Flex Fuel TooHighPsi Port Injection (installed & tuning) CircleD 3K Stall \| QA1 CF Driveshaft Forgestar F14 Drag 17x10 NT555R2 305/45/17 Rear Forgestar F14 18x8 NT555G2 235/50/18 Front 10.84@131 w/4.13" pulley ??.??@??? w/3.7" pulley (installed & tuning)

06-14-2022, 06:30 PM	#8
Sweptwing Drives: 2017 2LT RS V6 M/T Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Michigan Posts: 180 View My Garage	Yep! Hopefully a new bolt and a re-torque of the trans pan and he should be in business. __________________

06-15-2022, 11:44 AM	#9
Giri Soon to be Millionaire Drives: Blue 2016 Camaro Join Date: May 2016 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 379	Good eye guys! I assume the transmission place forgot to put that bolt back in when they fixed the TQ in 2020. I just wonder how the bolt missing would cause a problem years down the line. There were no leaks before yesterday and the only thing different about yesterday was how hard and fast I drove the car. Here's two short videos I shot of the transmission. It's pretty obvious that the damage actually started at the top front of the transmission - Torque converter? Whatever it is, the pressure shot transmission fluid UP and towards the engine (black plastic cover in the beginning of the vertical video) https://youtube.com/shorts/Us_oCuCeXvM?feature=share https://youtu.be/L2mB1aS27Mc __________________ I run a Drone Service Company in Gainesville, FL - Please visit my site and take a look Last edited by Giri; 06-15-2022 at 11:58 AM.

07-02-2022, 07:50 PM	#10
Dynamical Drives: 2022 Camaro LT1 A10 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: new england Posts: 373	Unbelievable. Looks like 2 bolts missing. I'd be pissed if I was you. That shop would be getting an earful over this. Piss poor mechanics do that sort of thing. Seriously. Here's another question, are you sure they didn't snap off the bolts? If so you'll have to back them out too!

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