2002 Leaky tranny/rearend
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Calgary Alberta
2002 Leaky tranny/rearend
In the first 700 miles on my 2002, my dealer has attempted to repair a leak on the rearend (at the 6 speed tranny/rearend connection). First it was tranny fluid (lots), then rear end fluid and then tranny fluid again. I haven't tested the last "repair" as I've put the car under the blanket for the winter. My Canadian dealer says his GM reports indicate only 3 leaks like mine. I'm wondering if anyone else has had, or is aware of this problem (or am I just one of those unlucky few)?
For each repair 3 shaft seals were replaced each time (P/N 12455044,45 & 56 and a different sealant was used on the tranny extension to rearend joint each time (P/n 12346004, then 10953466 and finally 12345739). After the first failure, GM tech support thought that one or more shafts may have some burrs on them and so the dealer did do some deburring and edge smoothing. However it still leaked after that.
Look forward to any feedback anyone may have (very disappointing to have the excitement of my first new vette spoiled by this lack of quality). Thx.
For each repair 3 shaft seals were replaced each time (P/N 12455044,45 & 56 and a different sealant was used on the tranny extension to rearend joint each time (P/n 12346004, then 10953466 and finally 12345739). After the first failure, GM tech support thought that one or more shafts may have some burrs on them and so the dealer did do some deburring and edge smoothing. However it still leaked after that.
Look forward to any feedback anyone may have (very disappointing to have the excitement of my first new vette spoiled by this lack of quality). Thx.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Re: 2002 Leaky tranny/rearend (A.Martinson)
:eek: :eek: :eek:
Sorry to hear about your trouble. I have a 2002 MN6 coupe with almost 900 miles on it now and there's no sign of tranny/gearbox leak (knock on wood).
Hope the dealer gets you fixed up right.
Ed
Sorry to hear about your trouble. I have a 2002 MN6 coupe with almost 900 miles on it now and there's no sign of tranny/gearbox leak (knock on wood).
Hope the dealer gets you fixed up right.
Ed
Racer
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
From: Canastota, ny
Re: 2002 Leaky tranny/rearend (Patches)
I hope the dealer did not overlook the fluid coming from the vent tube in the trans/diff area before taken things apart! A factory overfill of these two units was not uncommon making it appear there was a leak after the fluids heated up and expanded and then flowing out the vent tube. The deburring of the shafts by the dealer scares me. Insist on new parts and find out now about the Canadian polcy of GM buybacks for Lemon Laws just in case you need it in the future. I am on my 3rd C5 and 5th Corvette overall and still think they are a great car, but not perfect. I think if Corvettes got better dealer service, GM & the customer would be much happier. Paul.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,857
Likes: 84
From: Gainesville VA
Re: 2002 Leaky tranny/rearend
I HAVE THE SAME THING........... I noticed mine when I did my XR-1 istall and had it on the lift.
I have been to busy to get it to the dealer and deal with that whole mess. Mine isnt leaking that bad but it is coming out the weep hole (no puddles in the garage or anything.)
Mine has a little over 1600 miles now..
BUT I think mine was an over fill issue like dbl y2k said.......since it was comming out the weep hole. I will keep an eye on it anyway...
:seeya
I have been to busy to get it to the dealer and deal with that whole mess. Mine isnt leaking that bad but it is coming out the weep hole (no puddles in the garage or anything.)
Mine has a little over 1600 miles now..
BUT I think mine was an over fill issue like dbl y2k said.......since it was comming out the weep hole. I will keep an eye on it anyway...
:seeya
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Re: 2002 Leaky tranny/rearend (Ryan2002C5)
I changed my fluid at 600 miles in both the tranny and the rear and both were dry (knock on wood). I think I would start negotiating a replacement of both units so that when spring comes the parts are there and can be replaced. Sounds to me that they made a valid attempt at repair, it is now time to replace the parts in their entirety. Let GM figure out the problem. Sorry to hear of your problems, hope everything turns out OK.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 8,205
Likes: 40
From: Tucson AZ
Re: 2002 Leaky tranny/rearend (A.Martinson)
Welcome to the forum; sorry to hear of your trouble. Many "leaks" have been reported that were, in fact, the result of the over-fill mentioned above. MANY posts haver been made about this leak problem, with some of the experts saying that repairs will often fail unless the case is sealed with an anaerobic compound. GM has such a sealer and you should ask if it was used. (I doubt it :rolleyes: ) Good luck. Keep good records and start to lay the ground work for new parts. :smash:
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, Illinois
Re: 2002 Leaky tranny/rearend (A.Martinson)
Sorry to hear about your trouble.
I noticed a small puddle of transmission fluid on my garage floor at 3500 miles, and traced it to a very slow drip by the input shaft of the manual transmission. I don't think this was due to a factory overfill, because of the amount of fluid and the fact that I did not have a problem for several months. I had it repaired under warranty (the tech replaced three seals and kept the car for two days). No leaks or problems since the repair.
Good luck.
I noticed a small puddle of transmission fluid on my garage floor at 3500 miles, and traced it to a very slow drip by the input shaft of the manual transmission. I don't think this was due to a factory overfill, because of the amount of fluid and the fact that I did not have a problem for several months. I had it repaired under warranty (the tech replaced three seals and kept the car for two days). No leaks or problems since the repair.
Good luck.
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,272
Likes: 0
From: Gaithersburg MD
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: 2002 Leaky tranny/rearend (A.Martinson)
Don't panic. It's not that unusual to have trans or diff leaks.
Over fill is the first issue to eliminate.
The diff most commonly leaks on the left side halfshaft seal.
Transmission can leak both front and back and at the spacer to diff connection.
One other place is the Spacer itself. I have had leaks twice now. On the first one, the dealer automatically replaced the spacer saying that they have have seen many that are "porous".
The sealant mentioned above is sort of a rubber cement type sealer which seems to work pretty well.
Unless you have fluid literally pouring out, there is little to get excited about. The underneath of the car will slowly get a little messy, but otherwise, there is little chance for real damage to gears, etc. It takes a looong time for any significant amount to leak out when it is one drip at a time.
Over fill is the first issue to eliminate.
The diff most commonly leaks on the left side halfshaft seal.
Transmission can leak both front and back and at the spacer to diff connection.
One other place is the Spacer itself. I have had leaks twice now. On the first one, the dealer automatically replaced the spacer saying that they have have seen many that are "porous".
The sealant mentioned above is sort of a rubber cement type sealer which seems to work pretty well.
Unless you have fluid literally pouring out, there is little to get excited about. The underneath of the car will slowly get a little messy, but otherwise, there is little chance for real damage to gears, etc. It takes a looong time for any significant amount to leak out when it is one drip at a time.