Oil Leakage: Notes

IMPORTANT: Careful localization of leakage points may make it possible to prevent incorrect or cost-intensive repairs.

Test Steps

Thoroughly clean the transaxle, the engine, and surrounding area. You may use a steam jet for this purpose.
To locate leakage, use a suitable identifying spray or similar product.
Depending on the amount of leakage, take the vehicle for a short or a longer test drive. It may prove sufficient to place the car on a hoist and run the engine at idle speed to trance the leak.
If possible, determine exactly which type of oil is escaping.

Transaxle Oil Leakage

Condition	Action
Oil pump - torque converter sealing	Visually inspect the torque converter sealing. Replace the converter sealing.
Crankshaft sealing ring	Determine whether engine oil or transmission fluid is leaking. If the leak is engine oil, replace the sealing ring.
Torque converter	Visually inspect the torque converter. Fit an exchange converter.
Oil content too high	Inspect the oil level, both TFT and axle oil. IMPORTANT: Comply with the measuring procedure. Refer to Transmission Fluid Level Inspection . Inspect the oil level a the overflow plug and adjust to the proper level if necessary. Correct the oil level and check after a test drive.
O-ring at bolt head damaged or missing	Inspect the O-ring. Replace the O-ring if necessary.
Shaft seal	Visually inspect the shaft seal. Replace the sealing ring.
Loose hose clamp	Verify that the hose clamp fits tightly. If necessary, tighten the clamp.
Improperly installed oil pan gasket	Verify that the gasket is positioned properly. Install the gasket properly.
Damaged oil pan gasket	Visually inspect the gasket for damage. Replace the gasket.
Loose bolt at bracket	Verify the torque of the bracket bolt. Tighten the bolt, if necessary.
Sealing ring at oil dipstick	Inspect the O-ring. If necessary, replace the O-ring.
Defective sealing ring near end-cover connection	Inspect the sealing rings. Replace the sealing ring with new sealing ring. Inspect the O-ring.
Sealing ring selector shaft	Inspect the sealing ring. Replace the sealing ring.
O-ring at socket outlet	Inspect the O-ring. Replace the O-ring.
O-ring and speed sensor connection	Inspect the O-ring. Replace the O-ring.
Oil leak incorrectly identified	No oil leak is possible at this point.
Leaking speed sensor	Inspect the speed sensor. Replace the speed sensor.
Hair line crack at the piping in the connection area, sealing ring fit in transaxle housing	Pressurize the line with compressed air. Replace the lines.
Defective or incorrect O-ring	Inspect the O-ring. If necessary, replace the O-ring.
Loose plug	Verify the torque of the screw plug.

Noise

Condition	Action
TFT level is too low.	IMPORTANT: When the TFT level is too low, the gear wheels from the transaxle oil pump might generate noise. Inspect the TFT level and fill to the proper level.
Broken monolith in the catalytic converter	Inspect the exhaust by shaking the catalytic converter casing. If necessary, replace the catalytic converter.
Noise from auxiliaries, such as exhaust system, alternator, drive shafts.	Inspect the following components to eliminate the faults: The exhaust system The alternator The drive shafts
Noise from tires or wheel bearings	If necessary, eliminate the faults from the components.
Noise from planetary gears	A whistling noise on traction and overrun, in first gear only, is caused by high rotating speeds. This noise is functionally unavoidable.
Cumulative tooth backlash in the complete drive line	Production status. The customer must be convinced.
Jerky noise of the parking lock, when the vehicle is standing on a slope	Load reversal reaction. Apply the hand brake before selecting the parking lock (position P).
The engine torsional vibrations are being transmitted to the drive shafts.	At low speeds in fourth gear, a vibration can arise from driving at too low an engine speed. Noise is functionally unavoidable due to tolerances. Convince the customer.
A loose torque reaction strut	Inspect the mounting and repair as necessary.