Transmission leak

[hawkshil]

my transmission is leaking right where it mates to the engine block on the bottom of the drivers side. I can't tell if it's the pan or something els leaking. Anyone had this problem or now how to to fix or atlest how much it wil cost?

[MagicRat]

Welcome to AF.
It's important to find out exactly where the leak is coming from. Some leaks are cheap to fix, others are more expensive.

Go to a self-serve car wash, the kind with the high-pressure spray wands.
Wash off all the oil and dirt around the leaking area on the engine and transmission. Do not spray any electrical components directly.
Dry off the area and go for a drive.
Then get right underneath the area and look for the leak.

Oil pan leaks are cheap and easy to fix, by dropping the pan and changing the gasket. But if you do this, you may as well change the transmission oil filter (inside the pan) and clean the pan out, about $75 - 125.

But if the leak is coming from where the transmission bolts to the engine, it means the front pump seal is leaking. In this case, the transmission needs to be removed... about $500+

[BNaylor]

Welcome to AF.

It would help to post what model and year Cutlass or GM vehicle this is. Also, autotransaxle if known such as TH440, 4T60, 4T60E, etc.

Are you sure it is ATF and not engine oil?

[hawkshil]

my transmission is leaking right where it mates to the engine block on the bottom of the drivers side. Anyone had this problem or now how to to fix or atlest how much it wil cost? The car is a 1997 cutlass supreme 4dr with the 3100 engine and the 4T60E transmission.

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by hawkshil

my transmission is leaking right where it mates to the engine block on the bottom of the drivers side. Anyone had this problem or now how to to fix or atlest how much it wil cost? The car is a 1997 cutlass supreme 4dr with the 3100 engine and the 4T60E transmission.

See my post above.

Originally Posted by MagicRat

But if the leak is coming from where the transmission bolts to the engine, it means the front pump seal is leaking. In this case, the transmission needs to be removed... about $500+

It still is a good idea to wash the area as I described, though, to be sure of the source.
Also, does it leak all the time (typical of a pan leak), or only when you are driving the car (typical of a leaking seal, cooler line or bad pump)?

[hawkshil]

Originally Posted by MagicRat

See my post above.

It still is a good idea to wash the area as I described, though, to be sure of the source.
Also, does it leak all the time (typical of a pan leak), or only when you are driving the car (typical of a leaking seal, cooler line or bad pump)?

I know that I've tightened the pan bolts before and it didn't seem to make a difference and now that i think about it i think it mite be a seal. i guess i'l have to get back here in a day or so to see if it's leaking all the time or not.