1995 850 GLT sedan leaking trans fluid

kluhrm123 · Post by **kluhrm123** » 16 Jan 2015, 11:02

Brought my 850 home and it was losing auto trans fluid. After getting a chance to getting under it I noticed that it is losing fluid near the rear where the engine and trans join. Not sure if this means that I would need to pull the trans to do this or not. We have three 850 s and have not had this issue yet. I posted some photos. Any help would be appreciated. Mike

Post by **cn90** » 16 Jan 2015, 11:59

Clean it up and monitor it.
Could be axle seal that spins ATF around.

If it is from the cooler hoses, then search for the DIY I wrote a while back.

kluhrm123 · Post by **kluhrm123** » 16 Jan 2015, 12:05

I cleaned it up, then after raising it up started the car again. Seems to be in the rear and you (I) can see the backside of the trans plate (torque plate) turning there where the access port is. Will check the DIY that you mentioned- thanks Mike

Post by **cn90** » 16 Jan 2015, 17:01

And leak that high up trickling down could also come from previous owner filling the ATF using the wrong funnel causing spill.

kluhrm123 · Post by **kluhrm123** » 16 Jan 2015, 19:10

Thanks for the follow up. Will try cleaning in up again. I did clear out the air box and other items and it didnt seem to be from there. I also followed the trans cooler lines but that doesnt seem to be it since they connect in on the front side. It does seem to be in the area where it might be the axle seal but that is a tough call. Will look at it again tomorrow. Thanks Mike

kluhrm123 · Post by **kluhrm123** » 25 Jan 2015, 10:27

After a clean up and observation noted where the leak starts Seems to be the front seal. This will of course require pulling the trans. As I like the car much I have decided to pay a mechanic to fix it. Drove the car for about an hour yesterday and shifting and all other trans issues seem to be fine. Will pay the mechanic to do the seals and the rear main seal while accessing the back of engine. Has about 183K and is a very clean nice car.

Post by **E Showell** » 17 Feb 2015, 10:22

Do car underbodies really look like that in Texas, or was that one specially prepped for the photo shoot?

Post by **cn90** » 17 Feb 2015, 10:27

For RMS, use only Volvo seal b/c this is a 10h job!

Post by **abscate** » 18 Feb 2015, 05:23

E Showell wrote:Do car underbodies really look like that in Texas, or was that one specially prepped for the photo shoot?

Only us Northeasters can commiserate.....

Post by **scot850** » 18 Feb 2015, 19:39

I agree about using only the Volvo part for this. Probably worth having the rear main seal of the engine replaced while in there. Again only use OE part, but as it is the same 10hr job for labor, you might as well have them do that, and check the front trans cover for leaks and reseal as required. Looking at your first picture, the axle seal also looks like it is bulging, so get that both of those done at the same time. It may cost a little more to do all of those, but then the labor to remove separate the trans and engine is where most of the cost will be.

Worth considering if you plan to keep the car for a while.

Neil.