- This topic has 7 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 11 months ago by
.
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Topic
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Vehicle Specs
2003 Chevrolet Impala
3.4L V6
4T65E FWD 4 Speed Automatic Transmission
56,000 MilesInformation
My grandparents passed the car down to me, as far as I know it has never had any pertinent issues and has been properly maintained. The current maintenance the car requires is a radiator flush, possible thermostat replacement, transmission fluid change and new O2 sensor.Problem
I regularly check for leaks and about 2 weeks ago I noticed a transmission fluid leak running down the front of the bell housing and along the engine block. I have noticed that the leak only occurs after the car has been driven and has sat for awhile. The fluid levels are still nominal and I check them now before I drive. I have taken some photos that are attached, the dark metal is the engine block and the gray is the transmission. If anyone can assist me in figuring out what is leaking and what needs to be done it would be great. Thanks in advance!
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Replies
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If you can’t tell where it is coming from (no leaks overtop of it) then find out what the fluid really is. Should not be any trans fluid leaking like that from the bellhousing location (unless there is a bad input shaft seal) and that should show up at the bottom of the trans…, perhaps engine oil from rear main seal?… that should show up at the bottom as well..hard to tell the location and angle from the pics.
A strange thing I am noticing is the upper right bolt in the second picture does not look OEM… also there are a lot of marks in there and what even looks like a missing bolt as well.. Has someone been in there before? Perhaps your grandparents can shine a little light on that.
Karl
Hard to tell but it looks like it is coming from the engine area above the transmission and not the transmission its self. Like I said it is hard to tell.
Check this link out:
https://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/finding-and-fixing-leaks/finding-and-fixing-leaks
I would be more incline to believe your leaking oil from the lower intake area.
And I agree with TK that someone has been in that area before.
nightflyr has a good point on lower intake gaskets. These engines are known for that due to plastic gaskets. They do sell dies that you can mix in oil and look for leak.
Yes, NF has a good point about the intake. Definetely start with the most likely…
Worst case could be a cracked block.
Something about that stud/bolt holding the ground on does not seem right. I am not an expert at GMs so I’ll withhold judgement, but it looks strange to me, almost like a stud with a nut was put into the engine block… not sure if GM does this, but it can be a way to line up the trans if it has been out before… may be OEM but if that stud was torqued in too far or held up weight, it could have cracked into an oil jacket..or cracked something….Same with the non OEM bolt if it was too long…
However odds of this are remote..
Best of luck
Karl
Sorry for the late reply, been a busy week. Haven’t gotten the full service history yet but I did check the fluid color coming from the area and it looks very much like oil, new oil as well considering the oil change is only 3000 miles old. Although at the same time I can see some red to it as well so I’m unsure.
The transmission fluid is still bright red so I would be more inclined to think its oil. The lower intake gasket may very well be it as that is the exact location its coming from. I will do a little more research before making a final decision and may take it to a shop to get a second opinion but the intake is very convincing.
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