Thoughts on this leak? with photo!

[MoVolvos]

I agree that it looks motor oil-ish in the photos, but the dipsticks tell a different tale... Once the fluid puddles on the ground it is pretty dark (I have yet to change the transmission fluid,) where the oil is still new looking.

That leak in the photo looks like a leak from a fresh oil change? Can you top off the transmission fluid and cross check the engine oil for level also? Hot fluid flowing to an 8" size puddle a couple of time is not that much fluid / oil?

If you find the fluid / oil level has not moved much after another one or two puddles then you need to put the dye in.

When the transmission line O-Ring on my 03 S80 T6 was sheared from a poor installation from the previous owner the trans fluid leaked quite a bit and for sometime before it started to affect the shifting. Huge trail of fluid at it's worst towards the end and again probably leaking for sometime till it was obvious.

I did not think to top off (my radar was off) and just went ahead and put in the shift kit and flushed. Use the same amount flushed as a reference to refill. It was only after still experiencing a little bump shift that I thought to carefully check the level and this after a thorough warm up. It was then that I realized it was around 1 to 1.5 quarts low before I started working on it.

[highmiles]

cn90... good thought, the oil line sits right above this, but I am quite sure it is transmission fluid. I do wish it was the turbo! Thanks

[highmiles]

I was hoping to get the transmission out this weekend, but did not quite get there...

The Haynes manual provides decent instructions, though I wish they provided a lot more photos. In some ways it probably would have been faster if I had just gone in with the mentality of "what stay on the transmission and what stay with the car?" and "what is in the way of making that happen?" as the Haynes manual had me chasing some situations that were not present in my car but missed some that were.

The Haynes has you dropping one side of the sub-frame only, but once you get that far you might as well drop the whole thing to really get good access.

I should have it out in short order next weekend, hoping to find something really obvious....

[MoVolvos]

I should have it out in short order next weekend, hoping to find something really obvious....

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That's quite a pad for a weekend get away or man cave. No insulation though in NC summer or winter? Is it about the same as here in RTP?

[highmiles]

@MoVolvos, yes it is a luxury... and the older I get the more thankful I am to have the lift. I am in Winston-Salem, so yes, hot in the summer and cold in the winter. I just had to draw the line somewhere, the next steps would have been insulation, then you might as well throw some heat in there... AC while you are at it some drywall... well, might as well paint that...

[MoVolvos]

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Parents have a newer home. I insulated the steel garage door with 3 types of foam and ceiling with ROCKWOOL. Has an attic above so not that difficult except when shoving it under the attic floor/garage ceiling.

What a difference in the summer and winter. Expensive but easier to install and easy on the skin and respiratory system. Plastic can be used instead of Sheetrock to cover it as it does not sag. Can open the door leading into the garage and it will cool or warm up quickly with the help with a floor fan like yours.

If I had high ceiling in my garage I would prefer a full lift also rather than the Quick Jack (which is still boxed ).

[highmiles]

@MoVolvos, the really sad thing is I am a contractor... so you think I would have connections... any way

I go the transmission out today, and, as one might guess, there was no obvious defect in the seal. Photos attached.

Two thoughts, I should have cleaned up the torque converter shaft where it mates to the seal better. The car sat for a while before I got it, the TC was still engaged with the transmission, but it was somewhat exposed to the elements as the engine had been removed. There is some discoloration of the shaft, but no sharp areas.
The seal looked just fine, but I am not sure of the brand. I replaced it before I put the motor back in. I removed it and examined it. It seemed to be the correct fit for the TC shaft, though not particularly tight. I will get a new Volvo seal.

OK, three thoughts. I am seen "repair sleeves" that increase the diameter of a shaft to allow for a better seal, I think I have seen this for this application... not sure.

I would really like it if I didn't have to pull this transmission out again... but my only course of action seems to be to replace the seal, clean up the TC shaft and reinstall. Any other thoughts?

Thanks! John

[MoVolvos]

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the really sad thing is I am a contractor... so you think I would have connections... any way

I would really like it if I didn't have to pull this transmission out again... but my only course of action seems to be to replace the seal, clean up the TC shaft and reinstall. Any other thoughts?

Thanks! John

The best mechanic who I worked with Pepboys and later pulled to Acura sent his car to the dealership. He later went back to his old shop and then not too long after started his own business. He was a business man who happened to excel at car repair but didn't bring his job home .

I'm wondering if the oil in the picture is a problem. Did a clutch job on a 78 Mustang II in 1981 and have never seen the inside of any transmission since so am not familiar with what I'm seeing.
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[abscate]

That should clean up with a fine emery cloth. It needs to be mirror smooth, or it will leak

[highmiles]

Thanks to you both.

@Mo, Funny how we try to find that balance between work/hobby/life. I enjoy working on cars as a hobby, might make it more if I can as I get closer to "retirement" age.
I thought about that apparent oil seepage too. When I pulled the transmission I was not able to keep the TC with the transmission so it dumped fluid everywhere. Once I wiped that area up it stayed dry, of course the transmission is drained and not running... but thinking that area would leak all the time some and perhaps not more when running... which is different than the leak the way it presented, but hard to tell.

@abscate good to know that there does appear to be an issue with the shaft. Easy fix there. I am going to give the TC a good look over again for any perforations, with the quantity of fluid leaking it is hard to believe it is just the sealing at the shaft. Really don't want to buy a TC, but might be rational to avoid going back in there. I wonder if a transmission shop can test the TC for leaks. It is functioning fine.