Tired of trans pan leaking

[chrismoore701]

Project update. I looked and i have no vent. I poked around with a small drill bit and seems like the hole is plugged solid. Almost like it is from factory. I assume there is not a chance it would be sealed off. What’s my next step? I have 4000 miles on this since a fresh up that i had a trans shop do for me before i installed the motor.

Thoughts?

Thanks

[chrismoore701]

My buddy said to lift the dipstick cap and let it vent there.

[cerial]

The vent tube(check valve) on your th350 is 8-10" above the gear selector seal.

Should be able to run your paw up there and feel it.

If you remove the driveshaft(s) and lower the cross member you can drop the transmission enough to install a tube or replace the check valve. Pull your distributor cap also just to be safe.

Some shops will paint right over the thing or never replace it.

If the thing is 2wd a check valve is alright to run. If 4wd a tube going up the bell and to the firewall will avoid you thinking about another rebuild when you have a water/mud slurry seeping into the cab.

[chrismoore701]

The issue is the hole is plugged solid. I can feel it. Concerned about pushing what ever is in the home into the trans. Options?

[S10Fan]

Originally Posted by chrismoore701

The issue is the hole is plugged solid. I can feel it. Concerned about pushing what ever is in the home into the trans. Options?

Situations like this is why I bought one of these to keep in my tool box............

https://www.ebay.com/itm/6-LED-USB-W...from=R40&rt=nc

[cadillac_al]

Why would a rebuilder plug the vent? Rookie mistake.

[chrismoore701]

Originally Posted by cadillac_al

Why would a rebuilder plug the vent? Rookie mistake.

That is a good question, I think I might call him, it was a long time ago, but maybe something he knows or normally does.

So the question is, how do I go about getting it open? Stab it with a pick? Drill it out? what?

thanks

[chrismoore701]

I called the trans shop, they said they would never seal it, which is what I expected, but look at the pic I found, No breather.

[geezer#99]

What’s in that vent hole 10 inches straight up from the shift shaft?

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by Desert1957

2 front bolts?

Front pump o ring?
Torque converter shaft seal?
Cracked case?

Iv'e seen a lot of leaks up front sling around by the torque converter, then drip after vehicle sits over night.

Brake clean it off and watch it...

Yes, you are well beyond pan gasket leak.

[chrismoore701]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

What’s in that vent hole 10 inches straight up from the shift shaft?

That is the question. It feels hard as hell. What do i do to get it out? Stab it with an ice pick? Drain the pan and blow air into it? I have a new pan with a drain plug? Or drill it out?

Thanks

[geezer#99]

Take a closeup pic.
Post it for us and take it to your tranny guy and show him (if the tranny is still on warranty).
Might just be a soft plug.

[cadillac_al]

Whatever is in there should be able to be drilled out. If you drill very slow most of the material should be pulled upward by the drill bit and hopefully very little will end up in the trans. It can't be metal so whatever it is shouldn't be terribly harmful and should stay in the pan and the filter won't let it in the valve body. How did the rebuilder not notice this??

[chrismoore701]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

Take a closeup pic.
Post it for us and take it to your tranny guy and show him (if the tranny is still on warranty).
Might just be a soft plug.

Had it freshened up 4-5 years ago. As you can see from the pic had it done. Dropped on the frame. Then built the truck. On the road 3 years. 4,000 miles. Minor leaks.

Now this.

[geezer#99]

If ever need to drill anything out and you’re worried about shavings, just put some grease on the drill bit. The shavings will stick to the grease.

[chrismoore701]

Tearing her apart this afternoon. Any other thoughts before i pull out the scalpel

[chrismoore701]

Another question. The front of the truck is 12” in the air and i am catching the drips. So far i have almost a quart. Was is it still leaking? I thought pressure would have blown a little out and after cooling could stop leaking. Did it hollow the seal?

[chrismoore701]

Update: i learned some valuable lessons today. Took a couple pics and looked like it was clogged. Found a flexible drill bit that i was able to get the bit into the vent hole. Started to drill. And drill. And drill. My buddy came over and stopped me. Started researching a little more and realize it was not plugged. I was drilling through the wall that is just inside the hole. Dropped the pan. Hit the dipstick tube with a small shot of air. Vent clear. That’s all i needed to do. Checked the pan for square. Front has a 0.034” gap between the bolts. I assume this is the problem. Going to email the company tomorrow. Thoughts on this gap? It’s right where it is leaking. Should i get that lube locker gasket?

[Pontiac1976]

Ok not sure you knew what the vent looks like. But if you look @ the Diff 12 inch rubber tube on right side axel tube at the end is the vent tube check valve ( white or black Plastic).
The same vent tube check valve is on the trans ( white or black Plastic). ( lets gas vaper out keep oil in)
Is this the same old trans pan or the new one? that has the gap.

As for the old steel pan is it pretty straight the seal lip? And does the steel pan have a little ridge on the out or in side dead center all the way around the pan where the hole bolts go.
On the inside or out side lip use a flat punch or vary dull chisel to tap them back out the 2mm to 4mm depth this help seal the gasket & helps the bolts put a little more pressure on the flange. If they been over tighten they maybe flatten out to much on some or all at the area's around the flange.