Transmission leak

Tiny
LALFAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 SATURN L100
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 101,000 MILES
2000 saturn ls1 manual trans. Had the seal changed on the driver side. It started leaking again, so they changed shaft and seal. Then leaked again and put in another seal. Now it is starting to leak again. Dont know what to do. Any ideas. Thanks
Sunday, January 16th, 2011 AT 7:48 PM

17 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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When they install the new seal and there putting the axle back in the transmission are they using a seal protector?
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Sunday, January 16th, 2011 AT 10:31 PM
Tiny
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Im not sure, this a pretty good shop I have been taking it to. It usally lasts about 3 or 4 months then starts leaking again. This time its been about 2 weeks. It dont leak bad but it leaks. Thanks
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Sunday, January 16th, 2011 AT 11:18 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Well there is something strange going on. You say they replaced the shaft that goes in there too?Are they sure it's not the transmission case leaking?
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Sunday, January 16th, 2011 AT 11:26 PM
Tiny
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Ive been told you can scar the case where the seal goes in and make it leak to. They say its not. We asked saturn about the bearing inside the case, if it was bad and lets the shaft move to much. They say those bearings inside the case dont go bad. The shaft does move some but the other side does to and dont leak. They put a saturn seal in this last time, trying to get a good fit. Still leaks thanks
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Monday, January 17th, 2011 AT 12:05 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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As far the scaring goes thats true if it was damaged it could damage the new seal going in and leak. That transmission differential bearing your asking about I haven't seen go bad I have worked for saturn dealer's many year's. But anything is possible it sounds like your going to have to take it to the dealer to get a second option and get it fixed so it stop's leaking.
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Monday, January 17th, 2011 AT 6:59 PM
Tiny
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Saturn in omaha ne said it would cost about 6 or 700 to replace shaft and seal. They said a factory shaft and seal would be a better fit than aftermarket parts. I dont know. Hate to spend that kind of money. What if it leaks when they get done, will they stand behind it? Is the seal submerged in fluid? And how low can it get before something can get damaged?
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Monday, January 17th, 2011 AT 10:21 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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I don't know about the better fit/seal with the factory axle there is fluid behind the seal and as you drive it get's splashed up on the back side of the seal. The place that keep's fixing the leak doesn't have a warranty?They should do something for you they fixed the leak and keep's coming back. Saturn has a 12 month or 12,000 mile warranty which ever come's first on most of there part's and labor some is longer.I'm not going to give a answer on how low the transmission fluid can get before the transmission get's damaged. That is a loaded question.
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Tuesday, January 18th, 2011 AT 9:19 AM
Tiny
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They fixed it for free last time. I have spent about 450 before. He said the seal was submerged in oil. Is it to full and leaking or is that even possible.
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Tuesday, January 18th, 2011 AT 2:09 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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I posted a diagram the number 2 call out is the fill and level plug when the fluid reaches that plug the transmission is full. You can over fill anything if you try hard enough. SO what is the shop that keep's fixing it explanation of why it keep's leaking?
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Tuesday, January 18th, 2011 AT 7:03 PM
Tiny
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They have no idea why it is leaking.
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Tuesday, January 18th, 2011 AT 7:49 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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If they charged you to fix a leak they can't fix then you should get the money back and you can put it towards getting it fixed somewhere else like the dealer.
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Tuesday, January 18th, 2011 AT 8:13 PM
Tiny
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So if its to full will it make it leak and is it under pressure or is the fluid just splashing around in this area. I dont understand how it could leak every time. In the past I have changed axles and never had one leak. What do you use to put the seal in. Can they be bending the seal when they put it in.
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Tuesday, January 18th, 2011 AT 8:45 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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If the fluid is over full it would be more likely to leak out the vent then it would be to come out the seal. The fluid just splashes around in there. They should be using the special tool seal installer that the new seal sits in and has shaft on it so you can hammer the new seal in without damage. Here is axle seal itself installation.
INSTALLATION

1. Clean seal bore in housing.
2. Apply a light bead of Loctite(R) 515 Gasket Eliminator Sealant (P/N 21005993) or equivalent on the diameter of the seal that presses into case bore.

NOTICE: Prior to using seal installer SA9113T, inspect tool for any nicks or burrs that may damage seal lip.

3. Install axle seal using SA9113T. Place seal on tool and insert into transaxle. Make sure to keep seal lined up with bore during installation. (Right side shown, left side similar.)

NOTICE: Use caution not to damage seal while installing axle into transaxle.

4. Install axle seal protector tool SA91112T inside seal.
5. Install axle into transaxle.
6. After shaft splines clear the seal but before snapping axle into place, remove seal protector tool.
7. Push axle all the way into the transaxle.
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Tuesday, January 18th, 2011 AT 9:03 PM
Tiny
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I will have to ask them how they install the seal to make sure they do it this way. They have to be bending the seal or something to be making it leak every time. If its not under pressure I wouldnt think it would leak that easy. Thanks
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Tuesday, January 18th, 2011 AT 9:24 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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That seal just hold's back think of the fluid sitting behind the seal and splashing up againist it. Let me know what you find out.
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Tuesday, January 18th, 2011 AT 11:19 PM
Tiny
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Talked to the shop that had worked on my car before to see if they think it needed a bearing put in. They told me they would not touch a saturn trans. They dont tear open that kind of car. They would switch a trans if I had a different one to put in. That seal was still leaking until now so I think it is low enough that it wont leak. Do you have a suggestion what I should try to do with this car.
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Wednesday, May 18th, 2011 AT 9:53 PM
Tiny
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If the seal was installed correctly and its the correct seal and the axle has been replaced with the correct one the only thing left is something to do with the transmission. Probably the reason he doesn't want to take apart that transmission is because it takes a special tool case to take it apart and a shaft holder try to keep all the shafts in the transmission in place. If your going to keep the car the only thing you can really do is repair it. You can try to find a transmission or find someone willing to fix your old one.
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Thursday, May 19th, 2011 AT 5:01 PM

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