I'm going to shoot myself Transmission fluid leak

[49erRider]

Ok I searched and couldn't really find any of the same symptoms I'm seeing and I can't find the leak.

Anyways in a 2000xj I just did a 4x4 conversion so new trans/case.

I've been leaking some transmission fluid since the swap. At first it was the cooler lines but I swapped out the fittings and that went away. Next I noticed my cross-member would be wet from trans fluid all across the bottom of it. I cleaned it up thinking it was still from the cooler lines earlier and it would get "wet" again.

Today I pulled the cross-member to take a look and I still can not find a spot that looks soaked or like its leaking other than where the case mounts to the cross-member. Everything involving that was wet. I also noticed a "drip" on the shift linkage on the case. I took plenty of pictures so please please please throw some ideas at me.

Cross member out you can see the fluid buildup is where the mount meets the cross-member.

Underside of mount the part that connects to the 4 studs. You can see the fluid on it.

You can see the build-up where the mount meets the case.

Right Side

Left Side

Shift Linkage with a small drip

Don't see any leakage where the trans and case meet: Left Side

Right Side

Thanks for the help! 2000xj recent 4x4 swap

 

[bigalpha]

Check the soft lines underneath the mechanical fan. The 'quick disconnects' tend to leak.

 

[49erRider]

Where they run back to the transmission?

 

[bigalpha]

Where the transmission line comes out of the radiator, follow it until it turns into a soft rubber line. It's a notorious leaker and it'll blow to the rear when driving. It's basically right under the mechanical fan.

 

[49erRider]

Gotcha

 

[49erRider]

Just checked and those fittings are bone dry. I'm wondering if it is just fluid that was trapped in there from when my cooler lines were leaking and if I clean it out real good if that will take care of it or not. I doubt it but I can't find a leak anywhere else.

 

[LittleDevilXJ]

looks to me like its coming out of where the transfer case is bolted to the tranny. my buddies xj had a 4x4 swap and it leaked alittle there too. AND my TJ with a manual trans leaked alittle there too.

 

[bigalpha]

That's a possibility too. I would clean it all up as much as you can, dry everything off and put 'er back together. Test drive it then check again.

 

[dr_jeep85]

i'm net exactly sure if it's applicable here but the grand cherokees are notorious for the seal in the back of the transmission going bad. we don't work on aw4's where i work so i can't say exactly if that might be your problem but if you had the crysler trans, i'd tell you to change the seal. when the seal goes bad, the fluid will drip from between the trans and t-case.

and is that a black rubber trans pan gasket i see? if so, if it's not leaking now it will be within 6 months or so. you might want to look around for a cork gasket. they will leak eventually but you should get more time out of those.

 

[Team Willys]

Agreed on the black gasket... When I saw that I said to myself "that's where its leaking from." I hate those gaskets because they always leak some. I'd look really close at that... then maybe go get a good gasket from the dealer if it seems to be seeping.

 

[49erRider]

Hmm, I just put that gasket on a few days ago with a fluid/filter change and so far don't really see any leaking around there.

 

[49erRider]

Ok,

Got everything cleaned off really well this morning put that sucker back together took it for a 5 minute test drive and came home to this:

Which has me believe it is either the rear output of the trans or the front case seal right?

I'm leaning towards Rear output of trans just because the fluid was pretty bright red and the stuff in the transmission is new.

What do you think?

 

[Team Willys]

Replace them both and call it good. It's definitely coming from one of them.

 

[49erRider]

Yah I'm going to source the parts over the week and do it next weekend.

 

[49erRider]

Are these correct?

Trans seal:
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/pa...arch&itemIdentifier=199160_0_0_1277,3030,9400

Case Seal

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/pa...ing=search&itemIdentifier=629938_0_4031_10112