Automati Trans Leak: Easy Fix

[jgaffney]

My 2000 Passport sprung a leak from the trans, and it was leaving a puddle on my garage floor every night. After a frustrating weekend when I learned that there is no dipstick or filler tube on the trans, I limped over to my mechanic on Monday.

The mechanic told me that the accumulator cover on the side of the trans was cracked and that's where the fluid was leaking from. He topped up the fluid and ordered the part for me. 2 days later, when the part came in, I drove the truck to an automatic transmission shop nearby for the repair.

The mechanic at the trans shop initially thought he had to order the $100 rebuild kit in order to get the O-ring that goes under the accumulator cover. I showed him the service bulletin that my mechanic printed out for me (Honda 02-038, 11/5/02) that says no O-ring is required for the replacement cover.

One hour of his time later (at $90/hr), he had the new cover installed. He said he had to unbolt and move the driveshaft out of the way to get to it. I'll go back to my mechanic next week to make sure it's not still leaking, to top off the trans, and to do the minor service.

If your automatic trans is leaking from the right side, it's probably this accumulator cover. It's a black metal cup, about 1 3/4" in diameter, that is pressed into a boss on the right side, just above the smaller of the 2 pans. I have no idea why it's there, or what happens inside that part. The replacement cover, Isuzu Part # 8-96017-093-0, costs about 9 bucks. Don't get stuck for the full rebuild kit just to get this one part.

Here's the interesting part: the replacement part came from the Honda dealer, with an ID sticker that has the Honda and Isuzu logos on it - and a GM logo. Plus, the sticker said that the part is "Made in France." The trans mechanic told me that GM uses this trans in all its small trucks, and BMW uses it in some of its sedans. He told me that the gears in it are real expensive. I didn't need to hear that.

[amigo-2k]

nice write up!



http://isuzufaq.ibctech.ca/#faq57