Turbo 350 Leak - Accumulator

[gschroeder]

I have a 1970 CST10 with stock Turbo 350 trans. It is leaking trans fluid at the Accumulator cover. Picture is attached. I recently replaced the Accumulator cover o-ring, and both Accumulator piston rings. Unfortunately it still leaks. Any suggestions on how to stop this leak would be appreciated. Thank you
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[geezer#99]

Is the vent clean?
If it isn’t it could be internal pressure finding the easiest way out.

[gschroeder]

geezer#99, thank you for your reply. Where is the vent located at that you are referring too? I will check it and make sure it is clean. Thank you

[geezer#99]

Pic in here.
Sometimes the tube is missing but the hole is there.


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=359428

[gschroeder]

geezer#99, thank you for the pic. So do I just need to remove the tube, clean it, and reinstall? Or do I also have to look for dirt inside the case as well before reinstalling the tube? Thank you

[geezer#99]

They’re hard to get at.
See if it’s there first.
You could slip a wire into it to check.
Does the hump on the floor unbolt on yours?
If it’s there and you try to remove it you might never get it back in easily.

[gschroeder]

geezer#99, my trans does have the vent tube. My hump does not unbolt. So do I need to check the vent tube and the trans case for dirt, or just check the vent tube only? I think I can get a wire in the vent tube and check for dirt, but I can't check the trans case with a wire for dirt (unless I pull the trans out).

Is it OK to blow some air in the vent tube (after I check it for dirt) to clean out any possible dirt in the trans case? Thanks again for all your help with this.

[geezer#99]

I wouldn’t blow anything in there.
Just see if it’s open with a wire.

Of course if you’re a little crazy like me you could pull a little vacuum on it with your lungs. Use a 5/16 inch vacuum hose. Just like siphoning gas only with an atf and dirt taste!

[gschroeder]

Geezer#99, I confirmed my breather pipe is clean. I connected a clear 5/16 tube on the metal breather pipe, and could easily suck air thru it. I also could easily blow into 5/16 tube and got trans fluid pushing/dripping out the top of dipstick tube under the hood. I assume this means my breather system is working OK? Is there anything else I can try to stop this leak? Try another accumulator coat oring, new accumulator cap, try new spring,…? Thanks again for all your help
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[gschroeder]

Originally Posted by gschroeder

Geezer#99, I confirmed my breather pipe is clean. I connected a clear 5/16 tube on the metal breather pipe, and could easily suck air thru it. I also could easily blow into 5/16 tube and got trans fluid pushing/dripping out the top of dipstick tube under the hood. I assume this means my breather system is working OK? Is there anything else I can try to stop this leak? Try another accumulator coat oring, new accumulator cap, try new spring,…? Thanks again for all your help
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[geezer#99]

I hate to throw money at stuff!
Might be best to consult a transmission shop.

[gschroeder]

geezer#99, I wanted to mention 1 other thing that seemed odd when I changed the accumulator cap o-ring, and 2 accumulator piston rings, last week. Before I did the job, several people told me the reassembly is difficult because the spring needs to be compressed with a small pry bar/tool while trying to put the accumulator cap snap ring back in. This turned out not to be difficult. The spring did not engage the accumulator cap until it was 1/8 inch or so from being fully seated. I was able to use 1 thumb to compress the accumulator cap in 1/8 inch while installing the snap ring. Very simple and fast to do.

Could my spring possibly be weak/wore out and causing this leak? Maybe the spring is not putting enough outward pressure on the accumulator cap to properly seal it? Thanks again for your help.

Thank you

[geezer#99]

Could be the spring.
I have a motors manual here that has a pic of a tool used to compress the cap for snap ring removal and installation.
Seems it’s not supposed to be easy like you did.

Was it easy to take apart?

[gschroeder]

geezer#99, yes the accumulator cap was easy to take apart, and easy to reinstall. For reinstall, I just used 1 thumb to push accumulator cap in (only needed to compress 1/8 inch or so), and the other hand to seat the snap ring. No special tool needed to compress the cap. I will order a new spring and o-ring and see if that fixes it. Thanks again for your help.

[geezer#99]

Here’s a pic of the tool used.

[cadillac_al]

I installed a shift kit once that said to remove that accumulator spring. I don't think a weak spring will make it leak. I'm also not convinced that is where the leak is coming from. Does it accumulate there while the car is parked? I'm thinking the leaking fluid could be getting whisked up there while driving.

[AussieinNC]

There are two possibilities for this to leak

1/ The O ring you used around the cover exterior could be too small....the cover should have been a little snug to install into the case....

2/ Check both of those pressure port plugs are not leaking....remove each and clean the plug, apply some sealer and reinstall.

Thoroughly clean the are and road test.

[ron350]

Gschroeder do you have any updates on the leak?