LT-4 Help with leaking trans
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Toms River NJ
LT-4 Help with leaking trans
Guys, i keep finding little drops of oil under the car when it sits awhile and have traced it back to the trans. It seems like it is leaking pretty good. Has anyone experienced a problem like this, the car only has 50k on it. I have heard of the 97's having problems but not the c4. Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,009
From: Texas
Re: LT-4 Help with leaking trans (96 CE LT-4)
Several things tend to eventually leak on the ZF...
1) The clutch slave cylinder fails and you get drips from the front of the tranny because the clutch fluid is leaking inside the bellhousing
2) Rear seal, around the driveshaft yoke
3) VSS o-ring
4) The tailshaft housing bolts on the ZF strip out and the rear housing becomes loose. This is likely from the load being imparted by the C-beam, combined with steel bolts going into aluminum threads.
[Modified by 96GS#007, 2:51 PM 4/17/2003]
1) The clutch slave cylinder fails and you get drips from the front of the tranny because the clutch fluid is leaking inside the bellhousing
2) Rear seal, around the driveshaft yoke
3) VSS o-ring
4) The tailshaft housing bolts on the ZF strip out and the rear housing becomes loose. This is likely from the load being imparted by the C-beam, combined with steel bolts going into aluminum threads.
[Modified by 96GS#007, 2:51 PM 4/17/2003]
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 6,694
Likes: 1
From: Gurnee IL
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: LT-4 Help with leaking trans (96GS#007)
Are you sure it's trans fluid? You didn't mention if it was red.
An oil leak from the motor can travel a long ways away until it drips on the garage floor.
An oil leak from the motor can travel a long ways away until it drips on the garage floor.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 10,864
Likes: 196
From: Southern CA
Re: LT-4 Help with leaking trans (96 CE LT-4)
There have been cases of porous casings, but I tend to agree with the other comment re: a leak can travel a long way. My dealer pulled the tranny off my 02 Suburban looking for an oil leak only to figure out that the kid who changed my oil last time didn't wipe the slop off & it migrated back to a place where we all thought there was a seal or gasket leak. Expensive lesson for the dealer. :flag
[Modified by froggy47, 3:11 PM 4/17/2003]
[Modified by froggy47, 3:11 PM 4/17/2003]
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Toms River NJ
Re: LT-4 Help with leaking trans (froggy47)
it looks like it definetely leaking right from the bell housing but it looks like it is oil, is it possible it could be the rear main seal!
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,230
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From: VA
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: LT-4 Help with leaking trans (96 CE LT-4)
I'd bet my left eye it's the intake manifold leaking oil at the rear section between the block and intake. :D Highly doubt it's the tranny. Can be but i doubt it. :p:
Drifting
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 1
From: Greensboro NC
Re: LT-4 Help with leaking trans (ConeKLR)
Probably true.......the rear main seals are pretty stout on the LT engine......the intake however is another story
[Modified by Alex D, 9:54 PM 4/17/2003]
I'd bet my left eye it's the intake manifold leaking oil at the rear section between the block and intake. :D Highly doubt it's the tranny. Can be but i doubt it. :p:
[Modified by Alex D, 9:54 PM 4/17/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Re: LT-4 Help with leaking trans (Patrick96LT4)
Are you sure it's trans fluid? You didn't mention if it was red.
An oil leak from the motor can travel a long ways away until it drips on the garage floor.
An oil leak from the motor can travel a long ways away until it drips on the garage floor.
[Modified by GlockLT4, 9:56 PM 4/17/2003]
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Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,230
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From: VA
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: LT-4 Help with leaking trans (GlockLT4)
Um....guy's not sure if you know but the GM ZF trans fluid is clear in color not red. It will be dirty if it's not new. But red, don't think so. Not the GM fluid. Any one know what color the Catrol BMW stuff is?
Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
From: Maple Grove MN
Re: LT-4 Help with leaking trans (ConeKLR)
Um....guy's not sure if you know but the GM ZF trans fluid is clear in color not red. It will be dirty if it's not new. But red, don't think so. Not the GM fluid. Any one know what color the Catrol BMW stuff is?