Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Transmission leaking or Tcase leaking

[CSloat]

I have a 97 4x4 with the auto trans. I noticed a large puddle of pink fluid on the ground, looked underneath, but can't tell whether its coming from the trans or the t-case. I took it to a local 4x4 shop and they told me it was the rear seal on the trans and that they didn't work on transmissions. I took it to a 2nd shop and they told me that it was really leaking from the t-case and that they'd have to remove it to see why.



I know that some t-cases run transmission fluid, is that the case with our trucks? Also, is it possible that it really is a rear trans seal and that the transmission fluid is leaking from the trans into the t-case and then causing it to overflow and leak from the t-case? The reason I ask is that when I went to start up the truck after I noticed the puddle (the truck had been sitting for about 2wks), I put the truck in drive and it rolled backwards... making me think that the trans was low on fluid.



I know I should have checked the transmission fluid level at that point, but the trans kicked in right away and since the shop was only a couple of blocks away I went ahead and drove it to the shop.



Any thoughts/help/suggestions would be appreciated!!



Thanks,

Craig

 

[Texas Diesel]

Yes, the transfer case does have ATF in it, check your owners manual to verify.



The one that is leaking will be low on fluid, check the levels. Be careful here, if it is the transfer case you dont have much fluid to lose before it is out (read expensive to fix).



"Also, is it possible that it really is a rear trans seal and that the transmission fluid is leaking from the trans into the t-case and then causing it to overflow and leak from the t-case? "



answer, no.

 

[mgause]

Check the seal/gasket where the t-case and overdrive (i. e. , back of transmission) mate. My 96 has leaked off and on from that location for several years. When I checked torque of the nuts on my truck a couple of years ago some were just over finger tight. Replacement gasket is available from Dodge for about $5 if you want to pull the transfer case (not too difficult). My truck was assembled at factory with just RTV between t case and transmission.

 

[FParisi]

Yup -trans fluid in transfer case.

Like they said - check levels.

My 95 always leaked a little. Not enough to drip but coated the underbelly. Recently had the front + rear seals on the transfer case replaced + the shop said the speedometer sensor that mounts in the transfer case was bad and leaking internally + replaced that.

The underside is now bone dry!

Also check the transmission lines - those with the plastic fittings are prone to failure! Been there ,done that, - got the transmission.

Good Luck

Frank

 

[EGILLILAND]

Found this posting while searching topics on an issue I'm having.



I was chasing what I thought were U-joint/driveshaft issues. Trouble shooting seemed reasonable to point to U-joints. Wound up replacing U-joints, center bearing and rebalancing the U-joints.



Found this thread which point me to check my transfer case mounting.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...new-transmission-now-driveline-vibration.html

Found 1 stud missing... two loose studs... and only one nut/stud tight on the t-case.



I tightened the remaining studs/nuts and my vibration went away.



Fast forward to this thread. I have what appears to be a significant ATF leak at the rear of the transmission/input of the t-case.



I'm guessing that the loose transfer case was a cause of this leak.



When I park the truck pointed up-hill... . It leaks like crazy. With the truck parked downhill... no leak. Also appears to be loosing fluid from the transmission during regular checks.



So... . The point...

Is there a seal on the back of the auto-transmission in addition to an RTV/gasket mating of the transmission to the t-case? Or just the RTV/gasket mating of the t-case to the transmission. Bottom line... transmission fluid leaking from the mating of the t-case to the transmission. Most likely NOT t-case fluid. Therefore... . how to fix the leak?



Thanks everyone for any inputs.



Gill

 

[Dieseldemon]

I use RTV between the trans and T case because you can never get the t case in the middle of the seal in the trans and it tends to leak between them.