Leaking Red Fluid
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Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Marysville Wa
Leaking Red Fluid
Say you had a friend and his 2004 Z06 was leaking red fluid on to the passenger side on the exhaust pipe.... See pictures...
Guessing Tranny but maybe someone has a better clue from experience.
Glen aka Hurricane
Guessing Tranny but maybe someone has a better clue from experience.
Glen aka Hurricane
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
Definitely trans fluid.
More than likely leaking at the seam of the rear trans (tail section) where it meets up with the main trans case section.
Common area of leakage at that junction.
GM didn't put a gasket between these two sections.
They used a form of black sealant that ends up leaking after time.
See red (drop) of trans fluid in picture
More than likely leaking at the seam of the rear trans (tail section) where it meets up with the main trans case section.
Common area of leakage at that junction.
GM didn't put a gasket between these two sections.
They used a form of black sealant that ends up leaking after time.
See red (drop) of trans fluid in picture
Last edited by bumble-z; May 7, 2013 at 08:00 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 65
From: Rochester Hills MI
no gasket is available to my knowledge, but you could certainly make one out of some gasket material. I'm not sure how spacing out the rear extension housing would affect the transmission though. Could be bad news. I'd stick with the sealant.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2003
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From: East Meadow NY
St. Jude Donor '12
It is probably transmission fluid. It could be differential fluid if it is the same color. It used to be that differential fluid smelled really bad and was one way I used to tell what was leaking.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,551
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From: Jenks OK
I believe the differentials for our cars still use a heavy weight gear oil with limited slip additive so it should still smell like a baby diaper full of Indian food. If it's red it's transmission fluid.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 226
Likes: 30
From: Imperial, Mo. USA Mo
I had the leak at the bottom seam of the transmission and differential and thought it was the seal. I lucked out though and it happened to be the O ring on the CAGS solenoid. I would recommend to put a UV leak detector in the fluid and drive for a couple of days. There are a couple of fittings that can leak. Good luck
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 86
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From: Marysville Wa
Thanks for the suggestions. (sorry I have been swamped at work and couldn't get back to here...) I did get a chance to get a better angle and it looks to be from the middle of the tranny not the bottom. Does this change any diagnosis of the issue? Is it a show stopper of just an inconvenient leak and watch your fluid levels??
Glen aka Hurricane
Glen aka Hurricane
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
Hurricane,
The leak appears to be at the skip shift solenoid location.
I would check the o ring on the skip shift solenoid.
You will need a 1-5/16" open end wrench (across the flats) or a 34 mm axle nut socket...will work too.
By you posting up the picture of the leak area...the leak of course is not from the main case/tail shaft seam.
The leak appears to be at the skip shift solenoid location.
I would check the o ring on the skip shift solenoid.
You will need a 1-5/16" open end wrench (across the flats) or a 34 mm axle nut socket...will work too.
By you posting up the picture of the leak area...the leak of course is not from the main case/tail shaft seam.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
Saber D is correct.
The skip shift is on the drivers side.
As shown in your picture the leak comes from up high on the passenger side.
Probably higher than the back up lamp switch.
More than likely the vent tube.
It lives up on top of the trans along with the reverse lock out solenoid.
NOT FUN
The skip shift is on the drivers side.
As shown in your picture the leak comes from up high on the passenger side.
Probably higher than the back up lamp switch.
More than likely the vent tube.
It lives up on top of the trans along with the reverse lock out solenoid.
NOT FUN