Automotive Forums  Where Car Enthusiasts Go to Discuss Cars Online

Would anyone know what would cause a leak from the bellhousing/torque convertor area only after the car sits for days without running? The front pump to torque convertor seal was replaced a couple of months ago, but it didn't fix the problem. Thanks for any help you can offer. John  

check the tranny lines....they could be leaking from above and running down  

Already checked the lines and fittings. It is definitely coming from somewhere around the front pump. The car has been sitting now for 5 days and not a drop of fluid. Strange!  

There are many seals in the pump area.

The bolts each have a special washer.
There is an "O" ring around the pump and a gasket that should be replaced.  

unlikely to be the pump oring or the bolt seals.  Most likely is the front seal, the one that the torque converter passes through.  The tranny has to be unbolted from the engine as well as the converter and slid back if there is enough room to replace it.  

Wrong senor.
Yes the pump seal is a likely culprit but the "O" ring and gasket get very brittle.
There is lots of oil pressure on the gasket.
If there is even the slightest hint of a crack in the gasket and the "O" ring is hard it will leak fluid.  

senor? I am not mexican, are you?


You are outta your mind.  I have never seen any GM tranny blow the pump to tranny case seal.  Not saying it isnt possible, its just I have never seen or heard of anyone having that problem.

Now what I have seen many times over is the torque converter shaft seal which goes into the nose of the pump wear a groove on the converter nose.  This sometimes requires a hub sleave-n'-seal.  

I could very well be out of my mind.

I spent 47 years rebuilding transmissions.
1000's and 1000's of them.

It is very common for that gasket to leak.

When a vehicle would come in to my shop with a front seal leak every seal in that area would be replaced.

Do it once, do it right.  

I had the same problem with a th350 its not much different in that area. Many seals replaced, no luck , but the front pump bushing was replaced with the last seal and all the trouble went away. Good Luck  

I agree with the last two guys, a pump gasket, O-ring and bushing as well as new pump bolt washers. The O-ring will get brittle on a 30 year old car.
But hold on there, a repair sleeve on a converter hub?
              "you are outta your mind"
Sounds like a bad idea. A T400 converter hub should out last a few seals, and if the converter is bad, it can be replaced pretty cheap.  

If you replace the front seal, you really should replace the bushing also.  If the bushing is worn then the converter hub will "egg-shape" the seal everytime. Also check the converter hub to see if it is worn and causing the problem.