Automatic Tranny Pump Seal Replacement Cost
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
It all depends on how much of the work you are going to do. If you have someone else remove it, disassemble (as necessary), and replace the seal, you might as well have them exchange or rebuild the transmission while they're at it. The bulk of the expense of only changing the seal is the disassembly. Once you pull the converter off, the seal change is easy.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
It all depends on how much of the work you are going to do. If you have someone else remove it, disassemble (as necessary), and replace the seal, you might as well have them exchange or rebuild the transmission while they're at it. The bulk of the expense of only changing the seal is the disassembly. Once you pull the converter off, the seal change is easy.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 0
From: Mesa AZ
it's about a half a days work. at $80/hr mechanic rate, you're looking at about $300. how much does it leak? if it's not much i'd wait till i needed some other tranny work and do it all at once. oh and they're going to want to change the converter too so that's more
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
Like I said, if you're going to replace the pump seal, you should get the whole thing rebuilt. Going that far just to change a seal is insane. 
The "cost" to change the seal is irrelevant. You should be calling some shops for cost to exchange or rebuild your tranny.
The "cost" to change the seal is irrelevant. You should be calling some shops for cost to exchange or rebuild your tranny.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Thanks again but I don't know why you are so insistent on rebuilding my transmission that doesn't need it, especially when you don't even know the car. It only has 90k miles on it and runs like the day I bought it (new) in '76. It would be "insane" to rebuild or especially replace it with another when the car is about 98% original and then quite possibly end up with something less than what I have.
As for the leak, the car doesn't get used that much which makes the leak worse. The fluid is all over my garage floor. If I use the car daily, the leak is not quite so bad. If I can get it done for $300, I think it's worth it. Actually, I'll have all the seals replaced while they have it out. I'd do it myself, but I'm getting to old for this stuff, especially working under the car. Thanks again for the replies.
As for the leak, the car doesn't get used that much which makes the leak worse. The fluid is all over my garage floor. If I use the car daily, the leak is not quite so bad. If I can get it done for $300, I think it's worth it. Actually, I'll have all the seals replaced while they have it out. I'd do it myself, but I'm getting to old for this stuff, especially working under the car. Thanks again for the replies.
Last edited by Jud Chapin; Sep 21, 2009 at 07:43 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
What I said was...that it would be insane to pay someone else for a full removal of the transmission from your car and removal of the converter merely to replace a simple seal on the charging pump. You have 90K miles on the tranny. Your [sane] choices are to:
1. leave it alone and mop-up/add a little oil now and then until you feel the tranny needs to be rebuilt;
2. rebuild the tranny ahead of any significant problem; your seal leak will be fixed and the tranny will be good for another 100K miles;
3. pull the tranny yourself; remove the converter; get a $4 seal from NAPA and install it; put the converter back on (without cutting the sealrings); and reinstall the tranny. Lots of work, but the seal leak is repaired for $4....not $1000. Of course, in 10K miles the tranny could 'throw craps' and you need a full rebuild...which you can't do.
You asked for advice...I provided some rational options. If you don't think they have value, ignore it and go on.
1. leave it alone and mop-up/add a little oil now and then until you feel the tranny needs to be rebuilt;
2. rebuild the tranny ahead of any significant problem; your seal leak will be fixed and the tranny will be good for another 100K miles;
3. pull the tranny yourself; remove the converter; get a $4 seal from NAPA and install it; put the converter back on (without cutting the sealrings); and reinstall the tranny. Lots of work, but the seal leak is repaired for $4....not $1000. Of course, in 10K miles the tranny could 'throw craps' and you need a full rebuild...which you can't do.
You asked for advice...I provided some rational options. If you don't think they have value, ignore it and go on.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
What I said was...that it would be insane to pay someone else for a full removal of the transmission from your car and removal of the converter merely to replace a simple seal on the charging pump. You have 90K miles on the tranny. Your [sane] choices are to:
1. leave it alone and mop-up/add a little oil now and then until you feel the tranny needs to be rebuilt;
2. rebuild the tranny ahead of any significant problem; your seal leak will be fixed and the tranny will be good for another 100K miles;
3. pull the tranny yourself; remove the converter; get a $4 seal from NAPA and install it; put the converter back on (without cutting the sealrings); and reinstall the tranny. Lots of work, but the seal leak is repaired for $4....not $1000. Of course, in 10K miles the tranny could 'throw craps' and you need a full rebuild...which you can't do.
You asked for advice...I provided some rational options. If you don't think they have value, ignore it and go on.
1. leave it alone and mop-up/add a little oil now and then until you feel the tranny needs to be rebuilt;
2. rebuild the tranny ahead of any significant problem; your seal leak will be fixed and the tranny will be good for another 100K miles;
3. pull the tranny yourself; remove the converter; get a $4 seal from NAPA and install it; put the converter back on (without cutting the sealrings); and reinstall the tranny. Lots of work, but the seal leak is repaired for $4....not $1000. Of course, in 10K miles the tranny could 'throw craps' and you need a full rebuild...which you can't do.
You asked for advice...I provided some rational options. If you don't think they have value, ignore it and go on.
Last edited by Jud Chapin; Sep 21, 2009 at 05:34 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Pump seal is about $3.50, plus 6 hours labor to R & R the trans.
I'd suggest that replacing the pump bushing ($2.00) might be a good idea. If you pull the pump to do the bushing, you'll also need a front pump gasket, pump o-ring, and pump bolt seals. Add maybe $8.00 to the cost.
I say replace the bushing because that is the guide for the convertor- it wears, convertor sags, opens the seal and drip, drip, drip.
I'd suggest that replacing the pump bushing ($2.00) might be a good idea. If you pull the pump to do the bushing, you'll also need a front pump gasket, pump o-ring, and pump bolt seals. Add maybe $8.00 to the cost.
I say replace the bushing because that is the guide for the convertor- it wears, convertor sags, opens the seal and drip, drip, drip.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Pump seal is about $3.50, plus 6 hours labor to R & R the trans.
I'd suggest that replacing the pump bushing ($2.00) might be a good idea. If you pull the pump to do the bushing, you'll also need a front pump gasket, pump o-ring, and pump bolt seals. Add maybe $8.00 to the cost.
I say replace the bushing because that is the guide for the convertor- it wears, convertor sags, opens the seal and drip, drip, drip.
I'd suggest that replacing the pump bushing ($2.00) might be a good idea. If you pull the pump to do the bushing, you'll also need a front pump gasket, pump o-ring, and pump bolt seals. Add maybe $8.00 to the cost.
I say replace the bushing because that is the guide for the convertor- it wears, convertor sags, opens the seal and drip, drip, drip.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
Pump seal is about $3.50, plus 6 hours labor to R & R the trans.
I'd suggest that replacing the pump bushing ($2.00) might be a good idea. If you pull the pump to do the bushing, you'll also need a front pump gasket, pump o-ring, and pump bolt seals. Add maybe $8.00 to the cost.
I say replace the bushing because that is the guide for the convertor- it wears, convertor sags, opens the seal and drip, drip, drip.
I'd suggest that replacing the pump bushing ($2.00) might be a good idea. If you pull the pump to do the bushing, you'll also need a front pump gasket, pump o-ring, and pump bolt seals. Add maybe $8.00 to the cost.
I say replace the bushing because that is the guide for the convertor- it wears, convertor sags, opens the seal and drip, drip, drip.
The shifter shaft seal should be done as well. There's a lot of wear from moving the shift lever.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
I agree. I priced that job for my 1979 many years ago. If I remember the Mitchell flat rate correctly it is about 5-6 hours. But a transmission shop or a GM dealer can give you that info with a few keystrokes on the computer.
The shifter shaft seal should be done as well. There's a lot of wear from moving the shift lever.
The shifter shaft seal should be done as well. There's a lot of wear from moving the shift lever.
