Fluid Leakage In Torque Converter Area

In diagnosing and correcting fluid leaks in the torque converter area, use the following procedures to locate the exact source of the leakage. Leakage at the front of transaxle, as evidenced by fluid around the torque converter housing, may have several sources. By careful observation, it is possible in many instances to pinpoint the source of the leak before removing the transaxle from the vehicle. The paths which the fluid can take to reach the bottom of the torque converter housing are as follows (numbers on illustration relate to items below):

1. Fluid leaking by the converter impeller hub seal lip will tend to move along the drive hub and onto the back of the torque converter. Except in the case of a total seal failure, fluid leakage by the lip of the converter hub seal will wet the back of the torque converter and be deposited on the torque converter housing only, near the center of the case.
2. Fluid leakage by the outside diameter of the converter impeller hub seal and case will follow the same path which the leaks by the inside diameter of the seal will follow.
3. Fluid leakage from the converter cover weld or the converter-to-flywheel stud weld will appear at outside diameter of torque converter on back face of flywheel and in the converter housing only near the flywheel. If a converter-to-flywheel stud or converter cover weld leak is suspected, remove converter and pressure check.
4. Fluid leakage from the bolts inside the converter housing will flow down the back of the torque converter housing. Leakage may be from loose or missing bolts, torn or damaged chain cover gasket.
5. Engine oil leaks are sometimes improperly diagnosed as transaxle converter hub seal leaks. The following areas of possible leakage should also be checked to determine if engine oil leakage is causing the concern.
a. Leakage at the valve cover may allow oil to flow over the converter housing or seep down between the converter housing and cylinder block causing oil to be present in or at the bottom of the converter housing.
b. Oil plug leaks will allow oil to flow down the rear face of the cylinder block to the converter housing.
c. Leakage at the crankshaft seal will work back to the flywheel and then into the converter housing.