Trans leaks only when running....

[-83MONTESS-]

Anyone who has followed my build/posts knows the amount of bullshit I have been going through just to drive this car. To keep a long story short my transmission only leaks when the engine is running. If I mop up the floor and let it sit it will not leak. As soon as I start it up I have a leak. The front and rear seals look and feel dry, the pan is dry almost all the way around until the front and passenger side. Up by the dipstick tube is wet even though I used a fat o ring and rtv because I had it leaking before the converter change. What's the deal with this damn thing? Any ideas? I check the fluid and it seems to be in the ideal range. Trans maybe has 10-11 qts and its a deep pan.

And yes I checked the vent, it's dry.

 

[1bad79]

is the case cracked? or a cracked or loose line, or do you have adapter fittings threaded in the ports that the lines are threaded into maybe loose? just some thoughts

 

[xitabl442]

Does the line use an o-ring or flare fitting? Did you make the lines? I have had them split while flaring already.

 

[olds307 and 403]

I would also bet it is cooler line issue. The dipstick tube will leak sitting or running about the same. Where the cooler lines pump a lot of pressure through running. Trans leaks are frustrating. My 2004R's always leak somewhere no matter how I seal the pan or which gasket I use.

 

[-83MONTESS-]

I used adapter fittings and flare nuts with aluminum tubing and I double flared the ends, no O-rings. I felt the lines and fittings, they feel dry and I don't see any fluid on the case below them. It never did this until I swapped the Holley on 2 nights ago. I know the 2 are unrelated, just saying it just flared up.

 

[-83MONTESS-]

Just went out and checked it and there are two wet spots on the garage floor. No puddles just 2 spots like whatever was on the pan dripped off and stopped. I will jack it up and have another look tonight after work.

 

[1bad79]

check over on turbo buick forum also if you haven't already, there might be some ideas over there also

 

[Dayzedandkonfuzed]

I was betting on cooler lines, but if they feel dry, the only other 2 places I think it can leak would be speedo or vacuum modulator... Or the governor I suppose...

 

[xitabl442]

Do you have a trans fluid pressure gauge? I put one in my car, and it's reccomended to not use Teflon tape so the gauge grounds.

 

[-83MONTESS-]

Do you have a trans fluid pressure gauge? I put one in my car, and it's reccomended to not use Teflon tape so the gauge grounds.

No pressure gauge but I do have a temp gauge in the pan. It's not leaking there it's way higher than that. The pan is dry except the front and the front passenger side has fluid on the bolts. It's not the speedo leaking either since thats on the driver's side. When I look at it the area around where the dipstick goes in looks wet. That makes sense seeing as the pan under it and in front of it is wet but what doesn't make sense is why it only leaks when it's running. The car has been sitting for about 24 hours and there isn't any puddles.

So in short I feel like I have pretty much narrowed it down to the dipstick leaking but what I can't wrap my mind around is why it only leaks running. If anything it would leak when it is off and the fluid slowly drains back into the pan I would think?