HELP transmission mystery question

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

spedigo

Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2023
Posts
34
Reaction score
16
Location
texas
First Name
Sam
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
big10
Engine Size
350
hoping somebody out there can help me figure out how this is happening.

I’ve got a 350 transmission. My truck has been sitting in the same place for the past two weeks. Absolutely nothing has moved on the truck. Batteries been disconnected and intake Manifold has been off, so it’s been sitting dead still for at least two weeks.

I noticed yesterday that it has puked out a bunch of transmission fluid and it looks like it’s come out the tail housing.

How did that happen? Where did the pressure come from to push it out?

Replaced the tail housing seal several months ago and haven’t seen any problems with it prior to parking it several weeks ago.

So, no leak when parked. Fluid level was at the right level (when hot) when parked. i only started to see the leak in the last couple of days after sitting still for several weeks.
 

PrairieDrifter

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2014
Posts
3,853
Reaction score
5,646
Location
North Dakota
First Name
Mason
Truck Year
84,79,77,76,70,48
Truck Model
Suburban k10, bonanza k10, k30, k20, c10, gmc 1/2ton
Engine Size
350, 350, 350, 350, 350, 350
hoping somebody out there can help me figure out how this is happening.

I’ve got a 350 transmission. My truck has been sitting in the same place for the past two weeks. Absolutely nothing has moved on the truck. Batteries been disconnected and intake Manifold has been off, so it’s been sitting dead still for at least two weeks.

I noticed yesterday that it has puked out a bunch of transmission fluid and it looks like it’s come out the tail housing.

How did that happen? Where did the pressure come from to push it out?

Replaced the tail housing seal several months ago and haven’t seen any problems with it prior to parking it several weeks ago.

So, no leak when parked. Fluid level was at the right level (when hot) when parked. i only started to see the leak in the last couple of days after sitting still for several weeks.
Transmission fluid does that. Im sure it almost emptied the torque converter, then proceeded to push it out anywhere it could. For some reason it must be expanding somehow, does it during temp fluctuations.

Never leave a trans with fluid sitting around during temperature fluctuations. Ask me how I know lol. You're good to go. Top it off and run it, check it again and check for leaks. I'm sure itll be fine.
 

AuroraGirl

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2019
Posts
9,693
Reaction score
6,869
Location
Northern Wisconsin
First Name
Taylor
Truck Year
1978, 1980
Truck Model
K10, K25
Engine Size
400(?), 350
hoping somebody out there can help me figure out how this is happening.

I’ve got a 350 transmission. My truck has been sitting in the same place for the past two weeks. Absolutely nothing has moved on the truck. Batteries been disconnected and intake Manifold has been off, so it’s been sitting dead still for at least two weeks.

I noticed yesterday that it has puked out a bunch of transmission fluid and it looks like it’s come out the tail housing.

How did that happen? Where did the pressure come from to push it out?

Replaced the tail housing seal several months ago and haven’t seen any problems with it prior to parking it several weeks ago.

So, no leak when parked. Fluid level was at the right level (when hot) when parked. i only started to see the leak in the last couple of days after sitting still for several weeks.
the only thing I could think is the modulator but its weird for it to just start like that...
 

Dryriver1

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2023
Posts
766
Reaction score
2,264
Location
Texas
First Name
Robert
Truck Year
1984, 1999,
Truck Model
1984 Chevy Silverado K10, 1999 Chevy 2 door Tahoe 4x4
Engine Size
350 cid, 5.7
Hello @spedigo I hope all is well.

I would like to add that just like other equipment that has any type of rubber seals, O-rings, even metal to metal, like @PrairieDrifter mentioned "does it during temp fluctuations." at a stand still and especially with the cold front that just went through east Texas everything shrinks. as @PrairieDrifter mentioned, I highly agree "Top it off and run it, check it again and check for leaks. I'm sure itll be fine."

@AuroraGirl mentioned "the only thing I could think is the modulator" which is sealed by an O-ring too.

Once everything is nice and warm and back to working daily or every other day it will be good to go.

Be well and stay safe out there. Best wishes to you and all of your loved ones always!

Dryriver1
 

RanchWelder

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 14, 2023
Posts
798
Reaction score
1,144
Location
Earth
First Name
--------
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
Blazer
Engine Size
355ci
Tail housing bushing and a worn seal sounds possible.
Easy fix.

Check the slip yoke for seal groove wear, before you relocate the new seal.
If it has a groove, change the yoke.

If you have a center drive shaft carrier bearing, change it and all the u-joints too.
Here in ranch country, u-joints only last 2-3 years, max.

Carrier bearings can go at any time.
 

fast 99

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2021
Posts
2,029
Reaction score
2,936
Location
Spokane, Washington
First Name
Brian
Truck Year
81,85
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
1/2 the fluid in the torque convertor will slowly drain into pan during extended periods of inactivity. The level will get above the output shaft and if the rear seal is weak may leak. Replace the seal, all will be good.
 

trucktony

Junior Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2023
Posts
3
Reaction score
3
Location
connecticut
First Name
tony
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350cui
1/2 the fluid in the torque convertor will slowly drain into pan during extended periods of inactivity. The level will get above the output shaft and if the rear seal is weak may leak. Replace the seal, all will be good.

exactly that
the level is even coming above the oilfiller tube grommet(top hat)
What I had was after a forthnight of sitting a serious amount of atf was laying on the floor because we installed the oilfiller tube not correct in the trans hole
When it's under tension on the grommet because it's to tight on the bellhousing bolt it leaks thru the grommet when the level rises because of converter drainage

Other thing that happend
When I had changed the yoke for an other one there seemed to be a pin hole right in the middle of the yoke's back (some seem to have that)(vent hole??)
And again when the oil level raised up by converter drainage(after 2 weeks) it started leaking (was a pain to find)(very small hole on an odd place)
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
44,166
Posts
950,716
Members
36,281
Latest member
gsexton
Top