*Leaking Fluid*

[Sinclair159]

im leaking kind off a clear fluid cant really tell what color it is but it is leaking from the passangers side under the trans... my question is what color is trans fluid and were can i check how much trans fluid is left???? i know its a dumb question but definatly an important one... thanks guys

 

[rstray]

Taste it once. I know it sounds stupid but if its clear, feels oily, and has a bitter taste then its definately differential fluid(transmission fluid). I had this same type of problem 3 months ago. Mine was the seal from the tranny to the transfer case. Check that first..then start looking for cracks in the tranny or transfer case. If all else fails i think there's differential fluid in the rack too. So thats where u want to look. If you have a manual tranny the only way to check and add fluid is from under the car at the fill point. Let me know what you find.

 

[DSM90AWD]

im leaking kind off a clear fluid cant really tell what color it is but it is leaking from the passangers side under the trans... my question is what color is trans fluid and were can i check how much trans fluid is left????

Since fluid flows downward it's often tough to figure out what's leaking. If it's a thick oil, then likely the Xfer Case (90W gear oil), if light then could be brake, clutch or power steering. If medium weight and clear, then likely transmission, if medium weight and dark, likely engine oil.

The Xfer case and transmission oil levels can only be checked by removing the fill plug (about halfway up on each facing the front of the car). Each is full when the fluid level is even with the bottom of the fill hole with the car level. You would normally add fluid till it starts to spill out the hole.

The Power steering, brake, clutch and engine oil all have resevoirs/level indicators in the engine compartment making those easy to check

 

[Sinclair159]

the fluid is kind of a light maybe medium clear fluid... i think its commin from the tranny... im not totally sure tho... how would i know if i need to add more tranny fluid???

 

[Sinclair159]

Taste it once. I know it sounds stupid but if its clear, feels oily, and has a bitter taste then its definately differential fluid(transmission fluid). I had this same type of problem 3 months ago. Mine was the seal from the tranny to the transfer case. Check that first..then start looking for cracks in the tranny or transfer case. If all else fails i think there's differential fluid in the rack too. So thats where u want to look. If you have a manual tranny the only way to check and add fluid is from under the car at the fill point. Let me know what you find.

did you replace that seal yourself??? if so was it hard?? how much did it cost???

 

[DSM90AWD]

the fluid is kind of a light maybe medium clear fluid... i think its commin from the tranny... im not totally sure tho... how would i know if i need to add more tranny fluid???

The Xfer case and transmission oil levels can only be checked by removing the fill plug (about halfway up on each facing the front of the car). Each is full when the fluid level is even with the bottom of the fill hole with the car level. You would normally add fluid till it starts to spill out the hole.

The seal is ~$5 and can be picked up locally at most auto parts stores. You will have to remove the transfer case first, which is not difficult to do if you have the tools and time. There are also (2) axle seals that can be replaced with the tranny still installed

 

[rstray]

The seal i picked up from a dealership was like $25 i think...i did do it myself, but i warn u, its a bi***. Getting the transfer case out sucks. while its out tho u can replace the other seals on the tranny. (saves time later) over all i think i spent about $75 and 8-9 hrs of labor.

 

[rstray]

Since fluid flows downward it's often tough to figure out what's leaking. If it's a thick oil, then likely the Xfer Case (90W gear oil), if light then could be brake, clutch or power steering. If medium weight and clear, then likely transmission, if medium weight and dark, likely engine oil.

arnt the tranny fluid and tranfer case fluid the same on the 1990?

 

[Defiant]

arnt the tranny fluid and tranfer case fluid the same on the 1990?

Nope. Not on any DSM.

 

[Defiant]

im leaking kind off a clear fluid cant really tell what color it is but it is leaking from the passangers side under the trans...

It's condensation off your air conditioner.

Move on to the next thing to panic about, please.

 

[DSM90AWD]

It's condensation off your air conditioner

Hope he's not right, as that would be one hellova trick to get from the DS front of the radiator to the transmission WTF

 

[ddavisaf]

?? Ac lines leak condensation. There is an AC line that runs over to the passenger side of the engine bay. On a 2G it goes under the battery tray and loops back around.

 

[Sinclair159]

i would love to blame it on condensation from my ac system given the fact that i dont have one.... im starting to really think its my trans that is leaking... are there any walk throughs on changing the seal from the trans to the transfer case??

 

[ddavisaf]

Pick up a chilton's or haynes or a FSM.

 

[DSM90AWD]

http://www.vfaq.com/mods/clutch-1G.html

Look about halfway down to see XFer case removal to get a visual of what is needed to remove, though definitely recommend a shop manual of some type for specifics including tork specs. Remove with a screwdriver (pry out), install with a block of wood or large socket.

As I said before there are also axle seals that could leak. So if you're not sure where it's coming from do them all

 

[Defiant]

i would love to blame it on condensation from my ac system given the fact that i dont have one....

Bugger, I was afraid of that possibility.

im starting to really think its my trans that is leaking... are there any walk throughs on changing the seal from the trans to the transfer case??

The transmission won't leak anything clear. Next guess is the slave cylinder. Look for a crack in the hard pipe where it enters the flare nut on the slave.

 

[Sinclair159]

so your saying the trans wont leak anything clear?? so maybe something with the brakes???

 

[hellotbone]

Taste it once.

Hahaha I think I remember saying that to the girlfriend once or twice.

It can be a couple things it could be motor oil leaking from the end seals on your engine running down and under. It could be oil leaking from the oil pan as well or oil return or many other places. A drop of oil will look like a huge deal when its not. Your clutch slave could also be leaking along with the transfer case.

Here is a suggestion if you are really worried about it and the quantities leaking. Go to the local car parts store and get the translucent dye and put some in the suspected leaking part. Drive the car around have a look in the leaking area with the special glasses they provide and the special light. This will give you a clean indication of what part is leaking. Just don't put the dye in everything and start looking or you won't know whats leaking.

 

[Sinclair159]

well most lubricants you put in your car already have a disticnt color... i know its not engine oil... its a really clear almost thin kinda liguid looks like brake fluid to me but everyone on here has me beleiving its trans fluid.. ??? so i dunnoo..

 

[hellotbone]

Brake fluid and clutch fluid are the same well in my car anyways

 

[DSM90AWD]

well most lubricants you put in your car already have a disticnt color... i know its not engine oil... its a really clear almost thin kinda liguid looks like brake fluid to me but everyone on here has me beleiving its trans fluid.. ??? so i dunnoo..

Did you get the chance check the brake, clutch and PS reservoirs yet

 

[ddavisaf]

Did you get the chance check the brake, clutch and PS reservoirs yet

I've been thinking the same thing since the third post. Hmm... funny. The third post was yours also!

 

[Defiant]

Hudraulic fluid is the only one in the car that's supposed to be anything like clear. No, it's NOT transmission fluid. It could be coolant if you're brickheaded enough to run without antifreeze.

 

[Sinclair159]

all the reserviors that i can check from the engine bay look full???? i dunno... this is wierd... so by the way what color is trans fluid???

 

[ddavisaf]

reddish brown.
Gear oil is clearish yellow.