Transmission seals on a 1998 xc

kandkai2gether · Post by **kandkai2gether** » 04 Jul 2012, 09:41

I've been told I need to get seals both front and back replaced on the transmission. Where or how do I begin? Should I? The car is extremely nice otherwise-immaculate interior and normal wear exterior-no scratches, dents, etc. Any idea what the cost would be or how to find a trustworthy mechanic? Single mom and can't afford to be duped! Thank you for any information

Post by **jimmy57** » 04 Jul 2012, 12:58

There are several seals and front and back is not a very good description.
There are seals where the drive shafts go in on left and on right. Right also has seal where the AWD angle gear attaches to transmission. There is a torque converter seal. There is a seal where dipstick tube inserts. There is a seal where the return line from fluid cooler goes into front of transmission.
Does it leak a lot or just faintly staining your driveway?

kandkai2gether · Post by **kandkai2gether** » 04 Jul 2012, 13:12

My dad had it looked at by a guy who is retired (who worked on imports) and said he would fix it but will not get back with us now. It's been over a year. It is not driven very often. Apparently my dad was told all the seals are leaking. Leaks quite a bit.

ONV70XC · Post by **ONV70XC** » 28 Jul 2012, 17:44

The conventional mechanic shops would charge upto $1200 for job only. Dealer shops would charge $1500. Actually this job is done within 8 hours and should realy be worth $700 tops tops tops including parts. Sometimes finding private mechanic to do the job on side for $30/hr will save you tons of money.

Post by **jimmy57** » 28 Jul 2012, 19:45

If the leaks are really all that is wrong with transmission then I would do the pretty low risk and pretty cheap thing: get a transmission additive that lists leak fixing, seal conditioning as its features and give it a go. Get two of them and add one and if three more quarts leak out add the other and then see if the leaks reduce significantly or stop. Autozone/Pep Boys/O'Reilly's/Kragen's all will carry these products. Lucas and Trans-Medic are two I can remember. This stuff can be successful. I have a friend who loves pre-computer cars and keeps his whole family in old 20 year old or older cars. He has put in used transmissions that leaked and poured that kind of product in and stopped the leaks. I was a huge skeptic but I have seen it work for that purpose. It doesn't fix gasket leaks but that transmission does not have a pan gasket or other gaskets sealing it.
The transmission in that car is not known for leaking so it's a bit of a puzzle.

ONV70XC · Post by **ONV70XC** » 31 Jul 2012, 08:33

mine 1999 just keeps pouring once started out of torque converter area. friend's 1998 V70 had same thing. both of cars kept in hot south area. they're northern cars and they love winter that's what i can say. added already second bottle of lucas with no improvement. it's much better oil milage when driven when the sun's down or overcast with less heat exposure otherwise i can loos qt in 50mi.

Post by **jimmy57** » 31 Jul 2012, 10:06

I assume you'll do the TC seal when you do engine. Measure the depth of the TC from trans face first and then be sure it gets back that deep on re-install. If the TC does splines in and goes to that depth then you avoid damage to $stuff when you install engine back to trans.

ONV70XC · Post by **ONV70XC** » 31 Jul 2012, 12:01

Thanks Jimmy, You guessed correct. I know about 3-click rule to reinstall converter. The engine I'm going to swap had been completely resealed front, rear mains... Don't know about trannies much, but is there any other appart from TC I should be consider replacing?

Post by **jimmy57** » 31 Jul 2012, 12:05

The pump/1st clutch support cover is not a leaker, usually just the TC seal. That is all I would do. Look at the converter where seal rides. It may need to be cleaned up with 1000 grit paper.

ONV70XC · Post by **ONV70XC** » 12 Aug 2012, 11:04

It turned out to be the pump that is leaking. If I reseal-regasket it how long would tranny last? I know it's mainly due to the ambient temperatures and wear of aluminium chassis, expansions. Certainly I'd expect stopping leaking finally, but for how long? 10K-miles, 20K-miles? Definitely no dealer or tranny shop would warrant anything on that labor... Any experience?