I just drove the car today pretty hard and at the end of today I noticed a leak under the car. It looks to be coming from the transmission where the axles push in. The fluid isn't red though (is manual transmission fluid red too?)

The oil seems to have the consistency of regular motor oil and not transmission fluid though... not sure what might be in that area that might be leaking....


It's the 4spd manual (Muncie) and I have a 3800SC engine...

Thanks guys

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I don't think manual tranny oil is red, more like regular oil.
Although a quick google search brought up mixed results.

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Dave

www.ltlfrari.com

[This message has been edited by ltlfrari (edited 06-14-2009).]

Manual transmission gear oil is a clear to light brown color and is probably leaking out of the transaxle seals

Kevin

Transaxle seals just press in?

I hope I didn't crack the case...

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yes, the seals press in.
yes they leak, they are old.
not likely you just got a small crack in the case, they usually explode.
you probably just flexed the axles in the spline and sloshed some fluid up to the seals.
you will need to pop the axles to do the seals, and use a pipe to drive in the new ones. if it is only a couple drops I would not worry,
you may end up worse with new seals.

quote Originally posted by tjm4fun: yes, the seals press in. yes they leak, they are old. not likely you just got a small crack in the case, they usually explode. you probably just flexed the axles in the spline and sloshed some fluid up to the seals. you will need to pop the axles to do the seals, and use a pipe to drive in the new ones. if it is only a couple drops I would not worry, you may end up worse with new seals.

That's somewhat comforting except for the part about "worse with new seals"?

It would leak more??

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On a previous Fiero of mine, a muncie as well. I replaced the axle seals as I has a small leak, and they leaked worse. I scratched the surface a little while getting the old ones off and because of that tiny scratch caused a bigger leak. If you can get them off with out scratching anything you should be fine. You can use a piece of pvc piping to hammer the new ones in place. This way they will pop in.

Good luck.

You could if you wanted try some RTV sealant. Just have to make sure the area is 100% clean if not the RTV sealant will never stick. Since you mention its a small leak, this might be a better, cheaper, easier option.

Ken~

The original spec.s called for 5w30 oil for the manual transmissions. If you have not changed it, that's likely what's in it. GM later, through a TSB, specified Synchromesh fluid.

Just an intresting tid-bit of info the F23 manual getrags attached to cavaliers and sunfires DO use AUTOMATIC trans fluid

yes - the manual tranny fluid is 5w-30 - basicly oil.
or, synchromesh - which is basicly a synthetic 5w-30 with no detergents, and extra anti-foam
auto tranny fluid is red

when you pull the axles, the tranny will dump its fluid
when doing the new axles seals - you need to make sure you get them all the way in, and square/flat
and, wet them with oil
and, it is a VERY good idea to polish the axle surfaces which will be riding on the seal. some 600+ grit sandpaper will do the job nicely.
if the surface has a rut worn in, you'll have alot of sanding to do - or, better yet - replace the axle.

I'll take a look at the seals today and determine weather I'll just drive it as is right now or replace the seals.

I was looking around for the tranmission dipstick today and couldnt find it... where is the thing? Where is the fill point for the tranny oil as well?

Thanks guys

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"Dipstick" -- Remove the speedometer sending unit. (Careful you don't snag it on its way out and knock off the gear!) It has a line etched on it that shows the "full" level. The pigtail connector in this pic is connected to the sending unit.



BTW, Good info on what's REALLY in synchromesh. Synchromesh is EXPENSIVE! Is a detergent additive a bad thing for a manual tranny? Could we use 5W30 instead?

[This message has been edited by fyrebird68 (edited 06-15-2009).]

the 4 speed mucie has no dipstick
you fill it, and check the fluid thru the VSS
you unplug the VSS, undo the 11mm bolt, and pull up the VSS - careful to NOT drop the VSS gear
you fill thru this, and, if you look on the gearshaft or the plastic gear itself, you will see "level lines" for the fluid.

Thanks for the info guys. I'll have to check that and see how low I am.

Is it possible that it will only leak after really pushing the car hard, or once I"ve "flexed the axles" and it will not leak if I just drive it modestly?

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