Chevy & GMC Vans

I noticed about a week ago that I was leaking some fluid in my parking spot... From what I can tell it is trans fluid (red) and may be seeping through the gasket at the top of my trans pan. I just ordered a trans filter with new gasket and plan to change/flush the fluid soon. I've been checking the fluid level daily to make sure I don't do any damage, but the level has not dropped a noticeable amount.

I've attached some pictures of the leak. Let me know what you think.

Also, while I am on the topic what are your thoughts on the drain plug kits? I know with it you won't be able to get all of the fluid out, but at least it will make emptying the fluid a little easier and less messy.

Make sure it's coming from the pan, and not the cooler lines.
Re-torque the bolts and clean everything off. Sometimes they just need tightening. I think it's unusual for it to just start leaking like that ... wonder if it has anything to do with the cooler you installed.

In any case, take photos if you can, and let us know how it goes.
From what I hear, the drain plug kits are flakey. In my opinion, if you're draining the pan, you might as well inspect the inside of it and clean out all the deposits.

By the way, what kind of kit did you get, and how much did it cost? This is one of the things on my to-do list.

Yeah, I thought it was odd that it randomly started to leak. I have never touched the pan, so who knows how it started. Was just hoping someone could chime in with their experience. I'll clean it up and check the bolts tomorrow after work.

I don't want the plug so I can do a half ass job. I want it so I can empty most of the fluid before I drop the pan, should make for a much cleaner job.

This is the filter I ordered, (I believe I have a deep pan and this will work): http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... K:MEWNX:IT

If the transmission is overfilled, it will start to seep out of seals.

OK I get it, you don't like dexron splashing all over the place. Why not? I hear it's an excellent facial moisturizer haha.
But seriously, if you carefully lower one corner of the pan, maybe you can coax it into draining in one more-or-less coherent stream, into your awaiting catch basin

I heard the drain bungs end up leaking anyways.

And thanks for the link.

When you put it that way... I did have the rear end of my van up on tall jack stands for about 5 days to do my axle swap. I noticed it shortly after that. Maybe having it jacked up and out of level the fluid began to seep through the seal.
That and I may have put a little too much fluid in when I was trouble shooting my differential noise, since I had added the cooler immediately before the noises started. Hopefully that didn't cause any tranny damage.

I'm just getting into doing my own car maintenance and have always been a slob when it comes to fluids (bike fork oil everywhere). So I wouldn't mind making the job easier. Plus I could get a plug that has a magnet on it to pick up metal shavings, assuming there isn't one built into the pan similar to a diff cover.

No problem. I think I have been finding some decent deals on eBay. Scored an ACDelco ignition coil for $21.45 shipped today too. So much to do and no time to do it...

I doubt having it on an incline would cause a leak. The fluid oozes all over place when you're driving anyways. You never overfill an automatic transmission. Doing so will surely cause it to leak, but should stop once the fluid level is back to normal. Your tranny pan should have a magnet in it.

Definitely leaking. Check the vent tube on top of the tranny. You can also snug up the bolts to see if one or two are loose. The pan has a magnet on the bottom already and a drain plug is a great idea. Get one welded in for a leak free install.

I absolutely love the trans drain plugs I added to my vans and the Jeep. I install them in the side of the pans, just to not add anything hanging down. Make the job of dropping the pan so much cleaner and easier.

Lifted: I assume the vent tube will be similar to the tube coming off of the rear diff? I'll find out soon enough.
As for welding the plug, I'll probably use JB weld or RTV to help prevent leaks.

ihatemybike: Installing it in the side of the pan makes sense. It could get ugly fast if you dragged your pan across something.
Thats exactly what I want it for, to make the job easier. If its easier I am more likely to do the job when it is needed rather than put it off. In my opiniong that makes it worth the $5-10 and 15 minutes.

Sounds good to me. I'll be eagerly watching this topic. Take lots of pics!

By the way, did you take photos of your cooler install? I'm curious if your 2000 has the same A/C line in front of the radiator as mine, and how you dealt with it.

Cheers.