Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Strange Oil Leak...

[arthr31]

Hi,

This weekend I noticed a new leak

I parked on a hill, with the cab pointing down the hill, probably a 30% or so grade. About 2 hrs later, I come back to find a spot about the size of a baseball right under the bell housing of the trans where it connects to the crankshaft housing (right terminology?). Anyway, I could see a bead/drop of oil on the bell housing.

I drove home, 'bout 8 miles, parked on another hill, cab pointed up the hill, much less of an incline. After sitting over night, no drip/leak marks. Drove to work today, parked in a flat spot, no drip/leak marks.

What could it be? Rear main seal? I checked the service manual for investigating for this leak and it seems like an rather involved job.

Any thoughts on this? Should I avoid parking downhill?

 

[tp0d]

Did you check to see what color the oil was? If you were parked downhill, it could have been transmission fluid. Not sure what color fluid is used in a stick, but the transfer case has ATF in it, which is red.

Cab uphill could show a rear main leak, but i`d doubt it with the engine off. your issue was cab downhill though... Definetly sounds like a transmission leak

good luck

-j

 

[dpuckett]

I'd be inclined to think front main on transmission, as well. 30% is a heckuva slope, too. Manual transmission oil is normally some shade of brown.



Daniel

 

[arthr31]

It was brown, so I think probably the transmission too. What's an opinion of if it's not leaking on a relatively flat surface, leave it alone? Thanks.