2001 with 71k miles

For the past year or so, I have noticed that the transmission would "stall" at 4000rpm when going from 2nd to 3rd and sometimes from 3rd to 4th. Of course this was during hard runs which are avoidable if you drive like a normal person. It wasnt serious enough for me to care so I just avoided those kind of runs.


Now, I see a spot that seems to be growing on my carport that consists of transmission fluid. I put it up on the lift at my dads shop and sure enough its coming from the transmission side of the gap between the transmission and engine.


My question is if the two are related? How much should I expect to pay my local dealer because I am not going to let anyone else tackle a serious job like this.

 

sounds like your rear main seal is leaking and it's making your tranny slip and leak.

 

If its transmission fluid, its not the rearmain seal. It might be your torque converter mianshaft seal.

 

Expect to pay atleast $1000 for teardown and inspection at the dealer. Maybe try a reputable local shop ?

 

oh its red fluid. I am positive of that. My dad suggested that I pour some of that seal stuff to make it swell (which I am not going to do).


A grand was right at the limit as to what I was willing to pay.....

 

so i drove the car today (its not my daily driver) and checked what was left on the concrete.

I know I said red fluid after taking a paper towel to the spot it looks more like engine oil. I can see it with the car on the ground coming from that cross member just like it was on the lift.

This change has me looking at the 2 issues as separate problems. One being the leak, the other being the stalling at 4000rpm.

 

if it's engine oil, it's just one issue. oil makes your torque converter slip.

 

sound like the rear seal then. I wouldnt use stop leak

 

There is no way that the engine oil will make the torque converter slip....
Most likely its your input shaft seal or your tranny pump o-ring.

 

I had that same problem with my Sc400 with the auto. I was leaking in the same area. Same red trans fluid. Same problems you are having. My fix was to replace the torque o-ring and for good measure i replace the input shaft seal and rear main seal. Though my engine didn't last much longer(not trans leak related). But when i first started seeing the leak i had just got to San Jose. A appox 8hr drive from Los Angeles. I had put Lucos Trans additive. It helped. But it didn't stop leaking. Just made it to a drip. I spent 100 bucks for the seals and fluid. And did the work myself. Take it to a independent shop and have it done if you can't do it yourself.