transmission help

[whyask]

ok so I pulled out from work today and noticed a puddle under my car, nothing big right.... so when I get home pull into my garage I see a huge dried puddle on the floor, so I stop let the car run for a min, then turn it off.. I check the engine, nothing.. then I look under neath... right were the rear o2 sensors are I see red fluid leaking around trans... WTF, im not very car savey with trans. so any help what it might be. I have a spec2 clutch and flywheel ... my sig has all my mods if there is any question! I dont have any jacks or ramps just moved and all my money was spent on furniture, Im broke as S*** so if anyone has had a similiar problem let me know !

 

[Mustang5L5]

You are leaking transmission fluid

 

[whyask]

hahaha ya I know that, but what could it be from ..??

 

[Mustang5L5]

is it coming from the end where the driveshaft is? If so, the tailhousing seal is leaking. $20 part, just gotta pull the DS off.

 

[whyask]

thats so reasurring I hope so It leaking so bad, there is a puddle there now, my mechanic is 3 miles away , you think I would be good to go if I drove there in the am.. or would I risk F'n it up more..??

 

[CobraRed_96_GT]

as long as the fluid level is fine dont worry about driving it to the mechanic. Depending on which 02 sensor your talking about it could be the dip stick tube o-ring seal. That's happened to me, used new o-ring w/ high-temp RTV.

 

[whyask]

thanks chris. man you guys have calmed me down... oh I finally got my o2 exstentions this afternoon, just when I get ready to mod her she breaks ...hahaha! gota love mustangs !

 

[Rusty67]

as long as the fluid level is fine dont worry about driving it to the mechanic. Depending on which 02 sensor your talking about it could be the dip stick tube o-ring seal. That's happened to me, used new o-ring w/ high-temp RTV.

Last time I checked manual transmissions don't have dipsticks. It sounds like you may have a blown rear main seal like Mustang 5L5 said. It could also be the front main seal on the trans but I'm not sure about that because I don't remember where the O2 sensor is in relation to the trans. If its a seal, hope for the rear one, if its the front you gota yank the trans and unbolt the front bearing retainer to replace it.

 

[Shiroelex]

With it being a manual, it's not a good sign if you see fluid. There's no pan, or cooling lines that can leak. Just a drain plug and the output shaft seal. Usually an output shaft seal leak would sling trans fluid all around the end of the trans, where the driveshaft goes in. You sure it's trans fluid, and not possibly power steering fluid or oil?

 

[whyask]

well I cant be sure, its red fluid thats all I know, I dont have jacks or a ramp to see, its at the end of the trans right next to the rear o2 sensors, im hoping its the seal, if it is how much you think that would run to get it fixed at a shop, and should I worry about getting on her again after its fixed ?

 

[Rusty67]

No matter which seal it is I would investigate the cause. If there was a burr on the spot where the seal is that blew it out then you need to fix the cause of the problem otherwise it will happen again. A lot of different things could cause it to go out including the seal just being bad. Of course, we are assuming that it is trans fluid. If you have a manual trans and have had a lot of fluid loss already I wouldn't drive it AT all. You will cook that trans in no time without any fluid in the case. See if you can look under the car with a mirror or something and see if there is trans fluid on the case of the tranny anywhere. I hate to say this but you can always you that POS jack that is in the trunk.

 

[whyask]

OK so she made it to the shop this morning, no sweet smelling or burning comming from the tranny. But as soon as I parked it at the shop, she started to leak.... told my buddy about it.. and there putting her on the lift soon, Ill keep you guys informed on the progress.. hey If all else fails, all the more reason for a t-56 six speed.. right ??

 

[whyask]

OK here is the final word.."Cracked Bell housing and u-joint is going out" DAMN my poor wallet....is its safer to rebuild the rear part of the transmission, or just get a rebuilt trans !?

 

[Rusty67]

Which trans do you have in there now ? the 3650 ?

 

[whyask]

ya 3650 the stocker ! also the rear shaft housing is cracked just got off the phone with my boy...damn I hate life !

 

[Rusty67]

WTF the hole rear tail shaft housing is shot ? That is strange....

When did you have your clutch and gears put in ? That isn't the kind of thing that just happens under normal circumstances. I'm wondering if one or both were not installed properly.

While its apart, have the mechanic check the trans mount. You can get used 3650's off of ebay cheap sometimes but then they may need to be rebuilt. Since yours is in such bad shape I would imagine geting a brand new/rebuilt one (not from a dealership) would be about the same price as a rebuild.

 

[whyask]

clutch and gears were installed over 6 months ago and since then everything has run great... just to many hard launches plus the person who had the car before me beat on it really really hard!

 

[Rusty67]

I think you should either upgrade to the viper spec t56 or go with another 3650 depending on your budget. Have them put in a poly trans mount and check the motor mounts. Have them check the pinion angle. Have new u-joints put on the drive shaft and have it reballanced. Good luck.

 

[whyask]

ya the new u joints are being put in and they checked the mounts already.. everything looks good...... I have only 1200 for everything.. so were getting her up and running ... she wont be racing anytime soon. SO I can save for the t56!

 

[Coreyned]

make sure that it is tranny fluid, i got a 01 bullitt and the A/C water runs down my downpipe to my exhaust and leaves a dried up puddle that stains and looks just like if it was oil or tranny fluid. but actually just the AC water.