engine and drivetrain Pesky transmission leak

[BillWilliams]

I have an e-21 CR five speed transmission with a pesky leak. It is around the shifter block and reverse light switch. The reverse light switch on a CR is where it is on a four speed, sticking horizontally out of the rear of the transmission.

I took the switch out, put a new crush washer and a rim of sealant around the very front of the threads. Using MTL Redline Transmission Fluid.

It still seeps from somewhere in that area. The cap bolts on the shifter blocks are less than two years old.

Can a seep come from that bolt and block? If so what can I do to defeat the seep? It is torqued to real tight.

Thanks, I did a search and promise to post my victory or defeat.

[cj]

Bill, I,ve seen new reverse swtches leak from the area that the plastic isolator persses into the nut portion of the assembly.

Also, good old thread sealer on the shift tower block bolts may be needed.

Cris

[jgerock]

Ditto on the switch itself leaking (not the NPT threads). If you can wiggle the (2) spade terminals, that is a clear indicator you are leaking from the plastic portion. Also, when you remove the switch, push the plunger in to see if the terminals move.

I put a new switch in using a copper washer - so far no leaks from that point.

[BillWilliams]

is coming from further back than the plastic isolator but I will verify next week.

I will pursue the thread sealer. I guess you are saying those bolts go into a passage where transmission fluid is?

In the next two weeks Otis and I may be doing a little work on his car and he has access to a lift. Good time to remove the shifter block bolts and put some thread locker on them.

Thanks!

[cj]

I assumed you replaced the selector rod and output seal.

Cris

[jgerock]

Bill - what about your output shaft seal? Mine slung oil all around the trans and tunnel. Notice the seal is sticking slightly out of the surrounding cover and the coupling has rubbed against it.

[BillWilliams]

That is not a guarantee they are not leaking, I did the work!

I will double check those areas too.

[jgerock]

Bill - not sure on the CR 5-speed box, but the Blue book mentions the output shaft seal needs to be recessed about 2-3 mm into the cover. If it is flush or sticking out, then the driveshaft coupling will rub against it, causing a leak over time. This is exactly what happened on my car.

[cj]

Bill - not sure on the CR 5-speed box, but the Blue book mentions the output shaft seal needs to be recessed about 2-3 mm into the cover. If it is flush or sticking out, then the driveshaft coupling will rub against it, causing a leak over time. This is exactly what happened on my car.

Damn, good info. I never heard/read of this.

I'm going to check it out(in the blue book).

Cris

[BillWilliams]

Not sure I did that right.

[stone02]

Hi,

hey bill i have seen this before and what

i found out from my friend who works at

the dealer is that the tailhousing is designed

to handle 4 or 5 seals over its life time

before the case needs to be opened. so

get another shift selector shaft seal and

install it directly over the old one. also,

do set it in 1-3mm below the edge of the

case.

good luck

stone

[jgerock]

In the Blue Book: Page 23-12/1 Renewing radial seal on output flange. Bottom illustration mentions "Note fitted depth A 2 mm".

That page in my book was dated 9/70.