Diagnosis And Testing - Fluid Leakage - Dodge Intrepid Service Manual

LH
42LE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE (Continued)

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - FLUID LEAKAGE

The 42LE is a dual sump transaxle. The transaxle
uses both automatic transaxle fluid (ATF) for the
main sump and hypoid gear lube for the differential
sump. When diagnosing a leak, it is important to dis-
tinguish which type of fluid is leaking. Factory fill
ATF is dyed red, while differential hypoid oil is
brown in color and has a distinctive odor.
There are two seals at the boundary of the two
sumps. There is a weep hole in the right side of the
transaxle case (Fig. 7) which vents the area between
the two seals. If oil is leaking from the weep hole,
there is at least one seal leaking. Never plug the
weep hole to correct a leaking condition. Plugging the
weep hole could result in contaminating one or both
transaxle sumps, low oil level, poor transaxle perfor-
mance or transaxle failure. In order to correctly
repair this type of leak the transaxle must be
removed from the vehicle and both transfer shaft
seals replaced.
Fig. 7 Weep Hole Location
1 - RIGHT EXHAUST PIPE
2 - TRANSAXLE CASE
3 - TRANSAXLE OIL PAN
4 - WEEP HOLE
FLUID LEAKAGE-TORQUE CONVERTER HOUSING
AREA
When diagnosing converter housing fluid leaks,
three actions must be taken before repair:
(1) Verify proper transmission fluid level.
(2) Verify that the leak originates from the con-
verter housing area and is transmission fluid.
(3) Determine the true source of the leak.
Fluid leakage at or around the torque converter
area may originate from an engine oil leak (Fig. 8).
The area should be examined closely. Factory fill
fluid is red and, therefore, can be distinguished from
engine oil.
Fig. 8 Converter Housing Leak Paths
1 - PUMP SEAL
2 - PUMP VENT
3 - PUMP BOLT
4 - PUMP GASKET
5 - CONVERTER HOUSING
6 - CONVERTER
7 - REAR MAIN SEAL LEAK
Some suspected converter housing fluid leaks may
not be leaks at all. They may only be the result of
residual fluid in the converter housing, or excess
fluid spilled during factory fill, or fill after repair.
Converter housing leaks have several potential
sources. Through careful observation, a leak source
can be identified before removing the transmission
for repair.
Pump seal leaks tend to move along the drive hub
and onto the rear of the converter (Fig. 8). Pump
o-ring or pump body leaks follow the same path as a
seal leak. Pump attaching bolt leaks are generally
deposited on the inside of the converter housing and
not on the converter itself. Pump seal or gasket leaks
usually travel down the inside of the converter hous-
ing (Fig. 8).
TORQUE CONVERTER LEAKAGE
Possible sources of torque converter leakage are:
• Torque converter weld leaks at the outside diam-
eter weld (Fig. 9).
• Torque converter hub weld (Fig. 9).
FLUID LEAKAGE—DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING AREA
The differential uses Mopar
petroleum based hypoid gear lube. It can be distin-
guished from ATF by its brown color (ATF is dyed
red). Also gear lube has a distinctive odor (hypoid
smell).
TRANSAXLE 21 - 9
75w-90 Fuel Saving