Torque converter problems?

[Skeeter74]

Heres a good one. I was running a th400, same one I have been running for a couple of years, couldnt get it to stop leaking. I changed the pan gasket a couple of times and even changed the pan itself. still no good. The weird thing is that it will not it will not leak while its running, but it will start leaking after it sits for about 2 or 3 days. Out of frustration I yanked it out and swapped a th350 in. Same freakin problem. The only thing that is the same between the 2 is the converter. I am lost. You cant really tell where it is leaking from but it looks like the pan. Is there any way the converter can be doing this. Its a Art Carr about 4 years old.

[Ryoung68]

You might want to check the front oil seal contact area on the torque converter for wear. Some times the wear can cause a gap between the oil seal rubber and the torque converter snout after the transmission cools. Just a thought, good luck.

[Skeeter74]

Yeah I didnt think of that. It looks like it is coming from the pan but it could be running down.

[Scotty_S-15]

That\'s a very common problem. I\'m not exactly sure how or why it happens, but it revolves around the torque converter \"draining down\" and overflowing and flooding the trans body. I\'ve had the same problem with a few different trans-converter combinations. Check your dipstick before starting it up after a few days......http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_eek.gif

........ Sooooooooo, the fluid starts leaking out of every place you wouldn\'t normally expect, like the filler tube O-ring, shift linkage, speedo connector, and of course the tailshaft seal, and every imaginable gasket. In theory, if all these items were sealed perfectly, there\'d be no problem. But that\'s not too likely.

[Skeeter74]

So is something in the converter making this happen? Its not a big deal I just have to put about 2 quarts of fluid in it everytime I want to drive it.

[Scotty_S-15]

On 2006-02-04 12:51, Skeeter74 wrote:

So is something in the converter making this happen? Its not a big deal I just have to put about 2 quarts of fluid in it everytime I want to drive it.



2 quarts after a few days? Yikes, that\'s BIG! As to exactly why, I don\'t know, but I\'ve heard:

1) it\'s a function of most any non-stock converter, get used to it!! OR,

2) it\'s some sort of check-valve thing inside the trans. that\'s not working.

....... Funny, but only seems to happen with higher stall speed converters...?

........... Experts, please check in! http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif

[bowtietd]

Hey, could this be why my speedo cable leaks at the trans only when parked but not while driving?? TCI turbo 350 with TCI 3600 stall converter. I changed the driven gear and bullit it rides in as well as the internal bullit seal and external o-ring. Still leaks when sitting. BTW Scotty, just a few weeks left \'till E-Town opens!

[Scotty_S-15]

On 2006-02-04 13:43, bowtietd wrote:

Hey, could this be why my speedo cable leaks at the trans only when parked but not while driving?? TCI turbo 350 with TCI 3600 stall converter. I changed the driven gear and bullit it rides in as well as the internal bullit seal and external o-ring. Still leaks when sitting. BTW Scotty, just a few weeks left \'till E-Town opens!



Is there a steep hill around where you can park it \"nose down\"? http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif that ought to keep it from leaking out the speedo... http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif But getting serious, for the speedo & even the filler tube, I\'ve had some success by using RTV when assembling. But the key is to make sure both surfaces are oil-free. I take a rag with some solvent and wipe the surfaces first.

......... As far as Englishtown, don\'t look for me in the spring. I don\'t think I\'ve ever been there before June, except on a few rare occasions. Seems like Spring is just too busy a time.

.......... And I wanted to do so much with the truck over the winter.... I haven\'t so much as changed the oil. http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_mad.gif So I\'d like to do a few things to the old engine before I race again.

........... Are you ready to go? http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif

[rayL]

how big is your convertor...an 8\" convertor isnt going to hold as much fluid as a 12\". When you check it at idle everythings being pumped around so not a whole lot is in the pan. Plop in a small convertor with the same amount of fluid and its gotta go somewhere

[eigthmile]

I had the same problem. Changed converters,pump,pan everything. Ended up being the o ring on the servo. Easy fix.

[bowtietd]

No Just wishful thinking.

[eigthmile]

Have you changed it or do you just think it\'s not?

[bowtie316]

My cousin had a mopar that the front seal kept leaking on. Ended up needing offset dowels on the block. The block was machined wrong. I don\'t know how one would go about checking this. But its something to think about.