When I had the exhaust manifold off, I went ahead and pulled the R154 to replace the rear main seal. It was leaking. I noticed that when I have back in, I notice 2 puddles under the car around the tranny mount. One before and one after. The one before is Redline fluid, and the other is dark looking oil????? The question is does this Soarer tranny need to have the pop off valve working correctly? When I put it back in, I noticed it was pinched and it had the black small filter missing. Only thing left was the cap and spring? Do I need this, or just leave it out completely?

I think the rear shaft seal is leaking, so I will replacing it tomorrow, just in case. What's got me puzzled is the dark fluid behind the tranny mount. Any ideas?????

I haven't gotten underneath the car since the install, so I wanted to ask a few questions before I did tomorrow.

Thanks

Mark

 

The pop off valve is needed to vent the tranny since it is sealed as it gets hot the air inside expands. If the pop off valve does work properly it could make your tranny leak.

 

Where can I get the three parts? Spring, filter, and pop off valve itself? With this being said, I shouldn't even replace the tranny seal tomorrow? ?? Has anyone altered this valve and it worked effectively? What is the black leak. Feels like oil. I dont know how oil can get where it is coming from. Doesn't make sense to me.

 

Even with the valve working properly your seal can still leak depending on how much power you make. Welcome to the one real downside of an R154. I think I remember reading some R154s did not have a vent from the factory and they also leaked. Meanwhile ones with extra vents added, also leaked.

I had a similar 'mystery' oil leak on the middle of my trans. It was motor oil. It was dripping down from my valve cover.

 

I checked the valve covers and they wasnt leaking. Not saying they didnt start just a few days ago. I will double check them again tomorrow. Just want this car to have zero leaks. Fix one and another starts. Wtf???

I wonder why some had vents and some didnt. The other R154 mkiii didnt leak a drop.

 

Mine is a Soarer R154 unit as well. It has a vent. It leaks. I go through W58 rear seals annually.

 

I was just reading that on sf. I am going to inspect the driveshaft spline and all sensors and gaskets tomorrow. Any other ideas??? It seems these are notorious for leaking and NO FIX!!!!

 

My best idea is Nissan CD009 6-speed swap. Runner up is AR-5 solstice/colorado swap.

Not sure if anyone has a real fix.

 

I woke up this morning thinking I knew what the dark colored oil like substance is... I think it is the grease I used for the spline. The pressure is forcing it out causing this color on the garage floor.

 

I just had another thought....

Has anyone taking the metal ring out around the inner seal, cutting it, and then rescrewing it back together, for a better, tighter seal? I heard this from Torrey from Zen Motors. They said it was an ol' school trick they learned a long time ago.

 

Welcome to the Club! Been there years ago.

Turn the boost down!

 

That's not what I wanted to hear Quick.... LOL

 

Well hell, that's not good news to hear. I have a Soarer R154 as well, that I'm about to get rebuild with Marlin Crawler parts.

 

Well I replaced the seal today. It was a different seal altogether. The new one had a outer lip on it unlike the original one. I used a 36mm deep well socket and a small piece of wood to install it. I placed a very thin line grease on the outer seal. Went right in. I also noticed while I was under the car the driveshaft center bearing holder had slits in it to allow the driveshaft to move forward and back. Prolly an adjustment. I noticed it was all the way back closet to the rear. Upon reinstall I put in all the way forward towards the block. Then screwed it down in the center bearing. Lastly tightened all the rear nuts. De greased all the undercarriage and used some brake cleaner around the shifter assembly. Pressure washed the whole bottom including the exhaust. Man at the dirt and fluid under there after a week driving it. Took it for a test drive and NO leaks so far. I hope it holds up. I think the seal was bad and the driveshaft not all the way forward to seat. Something to think about if you have a leak. Who knows?????

Will post up my findings in a bit after I drive it around and in boost.

Wish me luck.

 

Good luck with it. In case it's not common knowledge around here, the W58 seal fits just slightly tighter than the R154 seal and may last a bit longer if this one springs a leak again.