NEED HELP - Gearbox Seals?

[Wherry951]

*I dont know much about this topic so explaining things would help*I need to know quite soon as i have some personal stuff going on atm and im rushed to get this car

Hi well basically im getting this VS commodore and he's said it needs the gearbox seal doing. I dont know how bad it is. Its in a different area to where i live, about an hour or so away. He's told me that i wouldnt be able to drive it home because it would be out of oil by then etc.

Does anyone know how much this will cost, and how long it will take. Also is it easy enough to do at your home?

**Also we were thinking of just driving it home with my mate in another car and just keep topping it up with oil. WOULD THIS BE POSSIBLE? And then when i get it back home i can book it into a mechanics to get fixed. I dont have much to spend, so if its gonna cost a shitload, i would like to know.**

Thanks =)

[woteva]

If it's an auto, it could be the pan gasket ??
It costs less than $20 to buy, takes about 10 minutes to change with a socket set. Then you just need to fill up the oil and away you go.

[Brett_jjj]

If the box is stuffed,then it will cost around 2 grand for a fully reconditioned box.You can get ones from a wreckers cheaper though.

[Wherry951]

If it's an auto, it could be the pan gasket ??
It costs less than $20 to buy, takes about 10 minutes to change with a socket set. Then you just need to fill up the oil and away you go.

The gearbox is in great condition apparently. So i'll take a look at the pan gasket, can you provide any more information about it for me? Such as location?

[Brett_jjj]

The pan gasket goes between the pan and the trans body.If it gets tightened up to tight it crushes the cork gasket and causes leaks.The pan is on the bottom of the trans,and has a heap of bolts around the underside of it, holding it on.If you are going to remove the pan then it would be worthwhile replacing the trans filter while you are at it.You even get a new pan gasket with the new filter.It is around $25 for the filter and gasket.Dont forget to clean the magnet inside the bottom of the pan.

[leigh 7005]

it could also be the front seal or the rear seal or the dip stick tube i dont recomend driving if its loosing that much oil it might catch fire so if you do drive it take a fire extinguisher. rear seal is easy as same as the dip stick tube and sump pan but the front seal youll have to remove the gearbox its all cheap as chips if you can do it your self

[Wherry951]

Well i live on the sunny coast and the car is just out of brisbane (just over an hour away) would it be possible for me to drive it with any type of damaged seal? If i fill the oil up a few times would that help? I just need a plan to get it home and work on it from there and i dont want to tow it.

[Brett_jjj]

If the leak is the only thing wrong with it and you have enough fluid to keep up to it,you should be able to get it home.And like you mentioned before,get your mate to follow you,just in case.

[leigh 7005]

just depends how much it is leaking and if its leaking on the exhaust if it gets to low on oil itll burn the clutches a bit if its the pan you could buy a few tubes of sillicon and try that? hard to say when you dont know how bad the leak is are you sure its the trans and not the power steering or engine?

[Guzzoline addict]

Yep it sounds like a front seal to be leaking that much oil.As for drivin it home leaking dont be a **** head.

[Wherry951]

Im not sure where the leak is and how much, im just going by what the owner tells me. I'm hoping to pick it up tomorrow. He says its his sons old car and he got a new one so he cant be buggered fixing it. His words were "You can't really drive it home, it'll be out of oil by the time you get home."

So it sounds like a fair bit. But i cant really work on it 90mins form home. And i dont want to fork out the cash for a towtruck. I'll find out more info tomorrow.

[Brett_jjj]

I think it would get you that far,(if it is just a leaking seal).Just get 2 or 3 bottles of trans fluid.Its still cheaper than a tow truck.When the fluid gets low,you will notice the trans start to slip and not work properly,just fill it up again.It should be ok.

[leigh 7005]

let us know what he says. if its the front seal you wouldnt be able to do it on the spot but the rear seal dipstick tube and sumppan you could do it in half an hour

[bottleinspector]

+1 for the front seal, may or may not pump the fluid out in minutes, depending on damage..
you'll probably spend more on fluid in a 1/2 trip than on a new seal.

[Wherry951]

So pretty much any problem will be cheap to fix? unless its the gearbox.

[leigh 7005]

yep really cheap front seal no more that $15 same as rear and sump gasket and filter no more than $25 oils the expencive bit but if you dont know how to take gearbox out and do it a shop will charge a bit in laubor

[VrWagz1]

If its just a front, rear or pan seal it will be a cheap fix. All be at worst you may have to pull the box out to do the front seal. As far as getting it home, you need to find out how bad it leaks. Last thing you want is to fug the auto. Also transmission fluid isnt like cheap motor oil, it does cost a little bit and you need to work out that cost as it may be cheaper to hire a car trailer for half a day.

[Wherry951]

just got off the phone with the vehicle owner. His words were, "If you top it up before you leave then again half way for safety sake, it should make it back. But i cant guarantee anything."

So i think i'm going to risk it. Being a bit dumb but does he mean transmission fluid or oil or both? or is it the same shit. lol.

[Brett_jjj]

Engine oil and automatic transmission fluid are two different things.And theres different types of trans fluid as well.You need " dexron 3" type trans fluid for a commodore 4 speed automatic transmission.

[Wherry951]

Just got back from supercheap the guy gave me the trans fluid you said and it's cheaper than i thought and it's castrol. Thanks for the help guys i'll get back to you if i have any more problems and i'll let you know how getting the car home went tomorrow night.

[Wherry951]

Picking up the car this afternoon. He reckons it will make it by just topping it up half way and before we head off. I bought 2 litres of Castrol TQ-D111 as that was in the catalogue thing and the guy said thats the one you will need for a VS 4 speed auto. Only cost $10 for each litre

Hopefully all goes to plan!

[Sgt Santa Cruz]

hey man im not trying to be a party pooper but driving home with a gearbox thats leaking that much oil over the road... are you trying to cause an accident.. maybe not for you but the oil on the road for someone else?? its not just a few drips an auto trans holds over 5 litres of oil... my opinion not cool..

[Wherry951]

Got the car back fine with no problems. When we arrived at the sellers housE, we suddenly spotted the leak. It was only the hose going to the gearbos that's just under the engine at the front of the car (i don't know mechanics, forgot what its called) so in the end that's all ot was. Fixed it there and then

[leigh 7005]

Good job glad you made it back with no dramas

[Brett_jjj]

It sounds like it was a leaking transmission cooler line.Its always good when it turns out to be an easy fix.Good one.