Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) small Auto trans leak @ T/Q isp. cover

[PGaither]

I have a 96 Ram 2500 CTD, auto trans. I have a very small/light leak on my auto trans, I beleive its at the inspection cover to the Tourque converter. It seems to put a lite coat of ATF on the transmission pan (but doesn't seem to be leaking there) from the wind as your driving... ... Could the Tourque converter be leaking? could it be the seal on the trany shaft behind the Tourque converter? I've checked the trans fluid level and it seems to full always???? It just a pich (1/8th inch, or 1-2mm) above the "max" level on the dipstick (It was like that when I bought it, I didn't ad trans fluid or overfill it... . ), could someone (before I owned it) have overfilled it? Can I ignore it & just keep an I on the level until I need trany work (or have saved the $$$$ to do it!). Or maybee put a better Tourque converter in it someday & new shaft seal (can I install a beter/performance tourque converter without "beefing" up the entire transmission?). Help!:{

 

[DavidC]

The usual leak in that area is the pump seal for the T. C. . The pump bushing and/or T. C. could also have some play. Usually once the leak starts it is downhill after that. Save your pennies and get the trans. and T. C. redone by DTT, ATS or one of the many other aftermarket companies that you feel comfortable with. Start the research and inquiries now so your ready when it happens. It is going to cost money for the trans. to be pulled anyway. Might as well only spend it once.



Dave

 

[rrausch]

Great advice. That is exactly what I did too. Research, make phone calls and e-mail guys here who have upgraded their Trannys. You can't go wrong with either ATS or DTT. They are different compaines, and you should talk to each one and get a feel for the folks you feel the most comfortable with.

 

[PGaither]

Whoa........

Oh my god! Thanks for the replies & info, but that was the last thing I expected to hear... ... ... . I hate to complain, or look for sympathy, but I have a minor dissabality and I'm unable to work full time (I get some money from the Gov. for my dissability, but very little), and I earn very little money. I know what people must think, why did you buy that truck? Well as I can only work part time, I need a truck to do my work (I'm a handyman, painter, and do lots of dump runs (when I can), so I needed a good dependable truck, I figured the Doge CTD was it, only paid $8,900 for it (making monthly payments). Annyway, what I'm trying to say is if that trany goes in the next year or 2, I'm in real trouble..... Without it I can't earn the little bit of money I earn just to eat, and pay my bills. I was told the trans was rebuilt to stock specs. , but have no proof. It runs and shifts great, no "shuder" or annything. I don't tow or plan to, and never carry anny serious weight in it. And the leak is very, very small, I haven't even seen the level on the dipstick go down yet (and have noticed leak 2-3 weeks ago). Are you sure it could be that serious? Isn't there a less expensive allternative? For the that kind of $$$ I'd really rather spend it on converting to a standard (although I'm hearing the stock 5-speed sucks!). Any help would be greatly appreciated... . :{

 

[DavidC]

Your alternative for your case is to get the trans. front seal replaced and T. C. /pump bushing inspected. Probably should replace bushing while it is out. The labor will be the most expensive part as long as the T. C. is ok. Seal and bushing should be under $30. 00 I would think (never priced these items).



Dave

 

[78repowerwagon]

Try running it abou 1/2 pint low and see if it goes away. the trans will blow oil out the breather in the t/q case when overfull.

 

[PGaither]

Thanks.....

Thanks, guys much appreciated. I actually don't see any dripping from the TC isp. cover, it was just a little wet, but the bottom (not the sides, weird?) of the transmission pan had a light coating of what I thought might be trans. fluid,. But I falso have a dripping leak on my oil drain bolt which could be the culprit (although I orig. thought it "felt different than oil..... ). If I want to drain a "pint" of trans fluid, how can I do that without taking the entire transmission pan off? Can it be done? If I have to remove the pan, shouldn't I change the filter also? Thanks,



Phil

 

[rrausch]

A couple of things... first of all Don't Panic!

Take a roll of pure white paper towels, crawl under the truck and wipe ALL suspicious oil leaks. transmission fluid will be RED! Engine oil leaks will be BLACK!



Has the engine been turned up? Or is it still producing stock power?

How many miles are we talking about here?

How many miles are on the truck, and how many are on the "rebuilt-to-stock" trans? Get under it and look at the transmission. Does common sense tell you it really was rebuilt? Are the sides of the trans whistle-clean? If properly rebuilt, the trans case will have been cleaned to look like new in a parts washer, and the transmission will look a lot newer than the surrounding engine, sheet metal etc.

These stock trannys will last a LONG time if babied and taken care of. Illflem has over 200,000 on his '95 1-ton I believe.

Yes, you certainly CAN install only a performance TC, although with high mileage you might be pulling the trans again at some point.

When was the transmission last serviced? If it has been awhile, you might just go ahead and service it with new fluid & filter.

Since you don't tow or haul much heavy loads, you can easily avoid some common transmission abusing practices. #1 abuse tip is don't give it heavy pedal at low RPM. This tends to make the stock TC clutch slip, which makes it heat up and eventually degrade, which sends little bits of TC clutch material through the trans, plugging up things. #2 abuse tip is to service it regularly. Service manual says every 12,000 miles I believe.



This should be enough to get you going. And RELAX! These trucks are TOUGH! Guys here like to justify their transmission Bombing by saying the stock trans is a POS, but really it isn't behind a stock engine. These are very good transmissions and are built very strong from the factory. Of course they were built for stock power, and if you turn up the power, you'd better not use that power, or you'd better also bomb the trans. Although I ran a stock trans behind my bombed engine for about 60,000 miles with no problem--and the previous owner towed a Loooong 5th sheel trailer! Go figure! I could have run mine for awhile longer without bombing the trans, but got tired of babying it. If your trans is not slipping and shuddering under accelleration, you basically have no immediate problem I think. Now go out there and see if those oil leaks are red or black!!

 

[PGaither]

thanks Robert!

Thaks robert, I apperciate your reply, it was very reasuring. I will follow your advice & relax..... And check with white paper towels.

Answers to your questions; 1) The engine is stock and has no power or Hi performance upgrades, and is producing stock power. 2) I have 150,000 miles on the truck. 3) I have now idea how many miles are on the trans or if it was really rebuilt, it looks maybee a little bit cleaner than the engine if at all, it was prob. never rebuilt (salesman told me it was rebuilt, prob. just to get me to buy it..... ) and 4) I have no Idea when the trans was last serviced, but the fuid looks very clean & red. but I think the level is a tiny bit higher than the max line on the dipstick (only by about 1/8th inch or 1-2mm). Thanks again... .



Phil

 

[78repowerwagon]

I agree with rrauch, my transmission had 135,000 when I upgraded for horsepower but did not rebuild it. It now has 190,000 and is used hard. To remove a small amount of oil, get a clear hose and siphon oil up the dipstick tube through the hose and pull it out. Have a jug ready to catch the oil from the hose.

 

[rrausch]

I would also go back to the dealer I got it from and ask how the saleman knew the trans had been rebuilt to stock specs. Was it a Dodge Dealer? You would have a little more leverage if so. I would make a pest of myself until they either give you some proof, or indicate to you in some way that the salesman didn't tell the truth. If the latter I would make a stink in some way, to try to get them to give you a warrenty. This may do no good, but if it doesn't you will at least feel better, and who knows, they MIGHT actually have some sort of proof it really was rebuilt.

 

[PGaither]

Good news!!!

Great news! I followed Roberts (rrausch) suggestion, and used clean white paper towels to wipe the suspected area, checked the color and it was black/dark brown, which means it was oil (from my drain plug or crankcase vent tube), not trans fluid leaking! Much to my relief..... THanks so much again Robert. This website is awesome!



Phil Oo.