1998 C70 Coupe Transmission Leaking

DanMarino · Post by **DanMarino** » 02 Feb 2015, 10:09

My 1998 C70 Coupe's automatic transmission is leaking. Over the weekend I drained the pan and added a fresh 3.5 quarts. While doing that I spent some time trying to figure out where the transmission fluid is leaking from. It's a mystery. The drain plug seemed dry. I followed the transmission oil cooler lines and they seemed ok. The transmission fluid was concentrated mostly right along the line where the transmission case seemed split with what looked like gasket sealer in between.

Any other suggestions for where the leak could be coming from? The axles seemed dry and had been replaced by the previous owner.

I also looked at the power steering unit. The connections on the power steering hoses looked bone dry on the way back side.

Thanks for any suggestions. I don't like the leak in my driveway.
Tom

Post by **scot850** » 02 Feb 2015, 11:14

Can you take a photo of the area where the oil appears to be dripping from? Take a couple if you can so that we can get a perspective of where the drip is. Often a photo is taken so close to the problem it is hard to I.D. the area of the car we are looking at.

From your description, it could possibly be the access plate at the front LH corner (RH when looking from the front of the car). There is a sealant used to seal this and it can leak with age. Others with more experience will correct me if I'm wrong, but you have to drop the sub-frame or jack the engine/trans to get the cover off and re-seal. It can be tricky.

The other places the trans can leak are:

1) The axle seals (but you say the axles were replaced by PO. Did they replace the seals?).
2) The trans front seal between the engine and the trans. You may see trans oil (reddish) dripping from the join between the two.
3) The front cover as stated above.

If the trans cooler lines are dry at both ends and between, then they can be dis-counted as source.

Place a sheet of cardboard under the car and when it drips it will give a better idea of where it is dripping, but not always the location of the leak.

Neil.

DanMarino · Post by **DanMarino** » 02 Feb 2015, 13:45

OK I'll work on taking some photos. I know a guy who was a Volvo tech for a while and his comment was that "they all leak".

Post by **scot850** » 02 Feb 2015, 14:34

Can't always argue with that as they age, but there are ok to live with leaks and the ones you have to take care of ASAP. They don't all leak but sometimes the cost to fix makes it un-economical, and if it is not critical, you learn to live with the driveway puddles, or you put it in a garage with a try under it!

Neil.