Automatic transmission leak

Blaise · Post by **Blaise** » Sat Jul 03, 2010 8:54 pm

As some of you may know, my car has been sitting and getting plenty of TLC. When I last parked it, I had just fixed a blown transmission coolant line, but it was working quite well. There were no signs of leaking.

Just the other weekend, it started to leak onto my driveway, after more than a month of sitting. I have not even started the engine.

It is clearly automatic transmission fluid and it is coming from the area where the kick down cable enters the transmission case. It seems that the PO put some kind of sealant goop around that area.

I have cleaned the whole area and verified that it is in fact coming from there. It is also leaking at a surprising fast pace. I can clean it and see drops again within seconds.

I have a few questions:

How is that cable connection made and is it supposed to seal?

Should the ATF level be that high?

What would have prompted this to start after months of just sitting? Could the ATF in the torque converter and the radiator drained into the transmission oil pan?

I will so some homework on this, but hoped that someone with more automatic transmission knowledge would have some insight.

Thanks,

RonDwyer · Post by **RonDwyer** » Sat Jul 03, 2010 10:00 pm

First pull the stick and see if it is overfull.
Second, if someone here can tell you how the cable is sealed to the transmission, i just acquired a pile of 4HP22 gaskets and o-rings. You might find the one you need in my goodie box!

Ron

Blaise · Post by **Blaise** » Sun Jul 04, 2010 2:07 am

Yep...overfull. The ATF is about 1/6" above the top part of the indentation...which is above the full mark.

I drained enough ATF to get it to read at the lower mark. Now it no longer leaks at the kick down cable, but the drain plug leaks...haha.

I was hoping that the crush washer would still seal, but it needs replacement.

As for the kick down cable, it looks like there is an O-ring there. I understand why the last guy gooped it up, as you would have to remove the cable to install the ring. I may drop the pan and see if the cable can be removed easily. I like the idea of replacing this O-ring.

While I do not plan to keep this automatic transmission, I want to take good care of it and find it a good home in the future. It works great and was rebuilt in 1989.

Blaise · Post by **Blaise** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 11:20 pm

Ron, or any one else:

It looks like the plastic end to the kick down cable housing is broken, such that it no longer can hold the O-ring.

The cable seems to be no longer available.

Does anyone have a good used one?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=15&hl=31

Blaise · Post by **Blaise** » Thu Jul 08, 2010 1:40 am

I ended up doing a little tinkering to fix the cable end:

http://picasaweb.google.com/blaisedesco ... directlink

I still have not figured out why it was so overfilled, but will monitor it once I get it back on the road. Hopefully in the next week.

Jeff Dennis · Post by **Jeff Dennis** » Thu Jul 08, 2010 9:45 pm

nice repair.

1st 5er · Post by **1st 5er** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 12:22 am

Blaise wrote: http://picasaweb.google.com/blaisedesco ... directlink

That is rich and should be considered as a "Technical FAQ" entry.

Blaise · Post by **Blaise** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 2:24 am

Is this cable housing end break common?

GripGreg · Post by **GripGreg** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 12:41 pm

Nice job, Blaise. I hope Peter or somebody adds this to the FAQ section.
Actually, 9 1/2 outta ten guys here change from the slushbox to the Getrag 265 5spd. Of course every 9 1/2 X 2 creates one dude who doesn't. Go figure.
I have both & the slushbox car sits while I have fun driving my '80 5spd, 'Rosallina'.
Welcome to the fold,,,,Greg

Blaise · Post by **Blaise** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 1:10 pm

Thanks Greg. I have every intention on putting in a 5 speed in the next year. But I also want to take good care of this "slush box"...out of principle....and so that it can go to a good home when I get it out of there.

I recently broke my left foot, so I am liking the automatic right now.

GripGreg · Post by **GripGreg** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 2:18 pm

Great point, to pass on good stuff! That's another reason why I love this website. These great guys want to pass on good stuff if possible.
I have a semi active sciatic nerve as of late, so, I was drivin' the Brick lately. But, my nerve is losing it's nerve lately, so, I'm back to Rosalina. Good luck with your foot,,,,Greg

jorgebmw · Post by **jorgebmw** » Thu Oct 07, 2010 5:52 pm

Can anybody tell me what's happening with my reverse? I have a 3 speed automatic. I have a 1976 530IA...All forward gears work great...it's just reverse...

socalfiver · Post by **socalfiver** » Thu Oct 07, 2010 7:05 pm

You should start a new thread for this. This thread is about a cable leak.

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