Hi this is my first time asking a mechanic ? And being one my seft plz bare with me thanks.
I have a 1988 Monte Carlo SS it has the stock 305 H.0 & 2004R trans. I just rebuilt the bottom end of the motor. The engine and trans went back together just fine. The torque converter & flywheel came together great also the converter spun freely & never came off the tail shaft. Now for the question. While the car is sitting & NOT running the transmission doesn't leak & while the engine is running it doesn't leak...& If it does it's a very small tiny drip...But every time I go to start the car up the Trans dribbles a little bit then stops it's doing it in front of my pan around my torque converter & maybe a little on the front corners at or around the pan area. But that's the only time it has a leak is during start ups. I put some Blue gasket maker around the pan a few weeks ago just to see what it would do & it didn't leak at all until now. Could it just be the gasket from where I had to use a bottle jack and a wide long flat piece of bord on the Transmission pan to hold it up as the engine was coming out and going back in the car???
Eany help would be appreciated.
Justin.

 

Hi `Justin,
Sorry to read about your problem.
Keep checking back on your thread to see what our expert member's post/suggest....Good Luck ...

Sounds like it could be just a gasket that didn't seal.
You may want to consider getting some leak detector dye (?) There's many different products out there..
The below is from Auto Zone

A/C Pro / 1 oz. engine and transmission dye 374 at AutoZone.com - 1 reviews
Click

 

Justin:
It sounds to me like you shouldn't have used a bottle jack and wood to support the trans during the transition at all.. I would think the leak in the front could be the front pump seal. You have to be very careful removeing and re attaching the trans to the motor via the torque converter..Its a very gentle process and any undue pressure attaching the 3 pieces (torque converter,motor,flywheel) any undue excessive twisting or jiggleing could damage the front pump seal... or if you had to actually excessive torque trying to draw the trans tightly to the motor...

Trans pan gaskets take a light touch to seal the transmission pan back to the trans... Generally you would need to use a 3/8's drive ratchet and socket and torque them with 1 hand.. until they touch/tighten to the pan and then a 1/4 turn more should do the trick... But over torqueing the bolts into the trans could cause the leaking due to pressure and non pressure start ups and driving...

It shouldn't leak at all. However, the pan and gasket truly aren't meant to support the weight of the trans let alone under adverse installs or uninstalls..

Please keep us posted of your findings and resolve for the leaks!

 

Thanks STUMPMI for the quick reply.
I hope its not the pump!! The motor came out perfect & went back in nice and smooth...But yeah i know i should'nt used the jack and a piece of wood for support on the trans as the motor was coming out its not easy doing it by yourself lol.

But the only time i was using that was when the motor was coming out and going back in. I replaced it with straps and took the jack out after the engine was pulled to support it while it was out. And also i left the torque converter on the shaft i never took it out of the transmission. Its just puzzling me because there's no transmission fluid on the ground under the car in the mornings and no leaks while the car is running. Only for a sec during start up's then it stops & i don't think it does it all the time. Like off an on Its crazy i know lol.

I thank you for getting back to me on the question and i will keep you guys posted.

 

Hi.
I fount were the leak was coming from. It's the front pump seal when they start to blow or get bad it will show no leaks while the car was running & not running. That's probably why I couldn't pin point exactly where the leak was coming from it just wasn't that bad of a leak yet. But thanks for the help. And by the way how can I post a picture of my 88 Monte Carlo SS on my MCF Profile? Any help on how to do this?

Justin