Stimpy

'99 TL, 113K. just changed my tranny fluid inside 1,500 miles ago with ATF Z-1, using the 3X flush method. early last week i noticed that the car was leaking fluid on the driveway. took a closer look and determined(on my best judgment) that it was tranny fluid -- because of the reddish hue.

upon taking a closer look with some testing i've found the fluid leaking from one area in particular near the tranny. its the brown(rusted) plate right in pic center. anybody have any suggestions? i thought maybe i overfilled the tranny reservoir, but if that was the case, wouldnt i have seen the leak/spillover immediately after?

pic was taken right after warming the tranny fluid and just as soon as i could possibly jack it up, place jackstands, and get myself under there with a creepy.

Stimpy

ok so i found out that the brown plate(i know the pic doesnt work, i'm working on that) is a cover for the flywheel. still not sure exactly where the leak is coming from, but in that area.

01tl4tl

do you mean the access cover between the trans and rear of engine- has 2 small bolts holding it on?
Remove that- inside is where the leak is coming down- if its trans fluid, its from a front seal in the trans- if its engine oil, its rear main seal of engine

01tl4tl

z1- you used the honda ZR-1 fluid- correct?
Its possible to overfill- check the owner book but usually its warm by freeway cruise x amount of minutes, then stop and turn engine off- check fluid level for trans

Its level varies a lot depending on how and when you check it- the temp of the fluid and if its been working.

01tl4tl

sad to say ,but you may have ended the trans life by changing the fluid with high miles on it. Many horror stories on here around the subject.

With a 99 you are past the time limit on the trans warranty, but it never hurts to ask the Service MANAGER at the local acura for a huge amount of GOODWILL

The Acura corp warranty rep can grant anything from free to 10 percent you pay, or 500 you pay- or tell you- sorry we cant help you
Starving student who was trying to keep up on the trans maitenance by doing the recommended full fluid change out and it caused a failure--(not the first time its happened) ,,,they may be nice to you!!
read trans thread posts by phee, with a 99--they hooked him up at 10 %= $300

01tl4tl

btw- have you done the timing belt-water pump replacement yet- its scheduled for 105k miles or 7 years. They will last longer but its a risk of massive engine damage if the belt breaks.

fsttyms1

If fluid is leaking there its most likely oil and is from the rear main seal.

Stimpy

thanks for all your help.

i meant to write ZR-1.

i havent done anything with the timing belt/water pump yet. it seems to me that the previous owner had regular service checkups and although this may be a gamble to think this way, i believe it was done at 60K. (i have no way of confirming this, except for the emaculate condition of the rest of the engine components when i bought it at 90K.) i know it should be done soon even if that's the case, but 01tl4tl is right, i'm a starving student. gotta collect some funds b4 that happens....or maybe take out a loan? man i need a better job.

so far all small repairs i've had on this thing(which are few) have been handled due to advice and reading i've picked up on this forum. looks like i may have to actually take it somewhere for this one.....*sigh*

hopefully the pic works this time.

01tl4tl

check the engine oil level- if its low- it may just be the engine rear main seal as kris said
Thats a popular failure item- 10 dollar seal, 4 hours labor to remove the transmission to reach it!
That beats a trans problem!!

Stimpy

well that sounds a little better! is there any DIY or at least guidelines how to drop my trans so i can do it myself? i went to a honda/acura specialist today and they quoted me at $717 parts/labor to do it. i'd like to save $700 if possible!

fsttyms1

no DIY written but its not hard. Ive removed mine a few times. If you start it and get hung up start a thread, ill help. Its about a 4-5 hr job (taking breaks) removal install for me now.

01tl4tl

NOTE- the trans weighs 450 pounds-thats a lot!!!
rent a heavy duty transmission jack at most real tool rental centers- save your backs and makes it a little more under control putting the trans back in--

and save the garage floor from a big dent when the trans drops to the ground

01tl4tl

when you get the new seal- the parts guy can show you the diagram and see the flywheel and what bolts hold it on- then the seal is behind that-
a regular seal puller tool should help you big time

if my brain has held any info correctly~

1st timer

Is the rear main seal easy to change? Is it possible to bust that seal by over filling the engine oil? I over filled above the second hole on the dipstick,(like half way between the 2 dots)<-----that much more.I will drain some tomorrow.

01tl4tl

you can put 5 qts of oil in the TL - thats a few ticks over the full mark.. as its capacity with standard honda filter is 4.7 us qts
Many of us do it, and no it wont blow out a seal- if you ran 90 weight gear oil in the engine- that would be different

The rear main seal is something that does wear out
remove the cover plate and see if its engien or trans fluid thats leaking

If you are lucky- it happens when the car is getting a warranty trans and they do it for a few dollars
If not- you must remove the transmission and flywheel to get to the 10 dollar seal

1st timer

is it possible it's leaking because I put 5w20 instead of 5w30?
What plate are you talking about?Is it between the tranny and engine,is it "L" shaped with 2 or 3 screw holding it?

01tl4tl

5-20 or 5-30 are fine in the TL and will not cause a leak.
dont run 90 weight in the engine !! thats all~

Underneath the car, at the point the engine and trans join, is a metal plate with 2- 10mm head bolts (iirc) remove those and inside is the dripping from either the engine seal or the trans seal- you can tell which fluid it is by the color of fluid

1st timer

I'm assuming that overfilling by +/- 3/8 above the full line is ok?Also curious as to why this happened as soon as I changed the oil!!!