Transmission leaking fluid

Tiny
MIKE UNDERWOOD
  • MEMBER
  • 1993 CHEVROLET LUMINA
  • 3.1L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
The car would start but when I put it in reverse or any other gear it doesn't go into gear. I press the gas and it just revs up. I put transmission fluid in it and it worked like it supposed to. I drove it a little further and it started going out of gear again. I pulled over and noticed what looked like transmission fluid leaking out from closer to the driver side of the engine. I tried putting more transmission fluid in and it didn't make it go into gear that time. The only lights on are low coolant light and the brake pads are pretty worn down and we been driving it with it grinding. There are like 100,000 miles on it. Oh yeah, the transmission dip stick is missing. I added some pictures where is the car is leaking the transmission fluid. I hope to get a better understanding what exactly is leaking how much am I looking at to get it fixed. Is it possible that it could be something different than a seal that is leaking? I'm not a mechanic so when I look at it I have no clue what I'm looking at. I am trying to get as clear as possible picture I could of the leak.
Friday, July 10th, 2020 AT 11:25 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
94 TRANSAM
  • MECHANIC
  • 680 POSTS
That is a massive leak. Based on the amount I would guess a cracked case or a completely blown out converter seal. That is the good news. The bad is that the fluid is not like engine oil. It does lube the internal parts but is also required for generating the pressure needed to squeeze the clutch packs inside. When you run low or out of fluid the clutched slip and burn up very quickly. In seconds. You likely got lucky the first time you ran out and added it before much damage was done. The second time, not so lucky. My guess is you will need a new transmission now.

Rich
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Saturday, July 11th, 2020 AT 12:39 AM
Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,293 POSTS
Unfortunately, I'm thinking the same thing that Rich is thinking. That transmission is probably toasted. A rebuild or replacement is in order here and could easily cost $2,000.00. My advice: make sure that you pr enough fluid in it and try moving it again. If it still won't move, it'll probably be cheaper to buy another car and sell that one to the local salvage yard.

Sorry for the bad news.

Harry
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Saturday, July 11th, 2020 AT 4:14 AM

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