Winter Weather Causing Transmission Seal Leak?
 

Long story short, its been cold here, in the mids 30's. I walk into my garage, pull my S2K out for a nice winter drive, saw some oil on the floor. Lifted my car up, saw some oil coming from the seal near where the drain bolt is (the last seal where the drive half connects to the tranny). Is it common for a little oil leak during cold weather since the metal does contract when it gets colder? I also checked the transmission casing bolt (12mm since its an ap2) and I think it was a little loose? I am not sure if that was the cause of the leak? On that note, does anyone know the what how much torque I should bolt it down too? I found on a 2000-2003 repair manual that is 20 foot-lbs, but it also said the bolt is a 8mm, when my AP2 is a 12mm.

Thanks!

No. Mid 30's should not cause any leaks. Ever.

Its not clear what you mean by loose transmission casing bolts. Can you clarify (pic = 1k words).

Maybe it leaked from some other part of trans, like a gasket mating surface, and dripped down so it only looks like its leaking from prop shaft seal.

Thanks for the reply. I can take a few photo later tonight. I tighten the bolt down to 20 ft-lbs yesterday so I am hoping no more leaks. But for a quick reference of the bolt to the casing. On page 465 of the repair manual, number 11-13, shows the gasket that is used to mate the drive shaft to the transmission and its torque spec for an ap1, that is where I am noticed where the old leak is coming from. But its good to know that the cold weather isn't the cause...

http://www.wedophones.com/Manuals/Ho...e%20Manual.pdf

When the manual says 8 x 1.25mm it means it's a M8x1.25 bolt, the head diameter is usually 12mm on those.
20 ft-lbs should be correct.

I went underneath again. Since I tighten it last night to 22 ft-lb, there is still a trace of oil. I am thinking of tighten it a bit more maybe to 25ft-lb or 30ft-lb. So I guess the next question is :

1) How tight can I bolt it down before anything will get damage? 30ft-lb?
2) Since it leak a bit of oil, is it safe to drive or should I do another drain and fill?

1 https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.s2k...4ec59f0394.jpg

Tranny oil leak

On a side note: I recently (300 miles ago), did a drain and fill from OEM tranny fluid to Amsoil. Could the new thinner synthetic fluid cause the leak in the seal as well?

Thats not a seal, its a gasket. Two mating surfaces are sealed with a gasket. When its sealing something rotating, its a seal.

So where the propshaft yoke pokes out of trans, thats a seal. It matters because people will get confused if you use the wrong term (as was the case here).

I dont know the torque spec for those bolts, but would bet its higher than 20 ft lb.

If fluid leaks, you just add more. No need to reflush. But I doubt enough has leaked to worry about it. Think how big a puddle even just 1/4 quart of oil would make. Did that much leak out?

I went back and torque it up to 28 ft-lb, took it for a quick drive, let it rest, lift it up again, and there is seepage along that gasket:crycry: . And it wasn't 1/4 a quart, but a more than a few drop, that became a little puddle, but wipeable with half shop total. I guess I would have to to refill every time I do a oil change.

But to fix it, any guesstimate on the cost? I don't have all the tools do this big of a job and don't wanna get rip off either.

Thanks!

For those who are interested, I found a cheap alternative way to seal the leak (or seepage) from the outside. I used Permatex Spray Sealant on where the leak was coming from and bam.. no more leaks. Just gotta follow the directions and give it like 20 layers. Eg, spray, take a 30 min break, come back and do it again. I did it over the course of 2 days. Be sure to clean the area well....https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.s2k...f171533134.jpg

The good stuff.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.s2k...ec9a7ca230.jpg

The seal ....

Nice. Thx for sharing results. This non invasive fix seems like a good solution. No chance of reassembling incorrect, damaging anything internal, etc (compared to disassembling to replace gasket).