Transmission fluid

[Susso]

Hi All, First time to the Forum so be gentle with me . I purchased my stag last year and have had her in storage in a carcoon over the winter. I went to check on her last week and found a pool of transmission fluid under the front drivers side wheel. Can anyone offer any suggestions to look for before I pull her out. She's a 1972 3.0lt auto with triumph engine.
Many Thanks

[Phil S]

from the position I would suggest it's from the power steering pump, as good a place as any to start

[marshman]

If the power steering fluid reservoir is OK then most likely it is transmission fluid from the gearbox. If fitted with its original box it will be a BW35 which is renowned for dumping fluid out of the dipstick tube if left unused for a while. The issue is usually with the non return valve in the torque converter. Nothing really to worry about, just a damned nuisance as you have to a) clear up the mess made and b) remember to top up with the correct fluid. If you look under the car around the sump pan of the gear box it will probably be dripping with ATF from every bolt and the banjo bolt on the dip stick tube. Makes you think the sump gasket has gone - which it could have but in my experience it is fluid running down the dipstick tube.

Roger

[v8ken]

Since fitting the breather pipe mine hasn't done this.
It's supposed to route from the top of the gearbox and go up and over the brake servo ,then terminate through the inner wing.
Try and look at how someone else's is routed or find a picture online.

[sujitroy]

could be torn steering rack gaiter. with fluid in perhaps.

[Susso]

Moring all, Thanks for the advise - I believe the power steering reservoir is ok as I checked this out straight away, I suspected it may have been the sump gasket but from the advise about it could be via the dipstick tube.

I will check all these points out and hopefully find its not a major problem.

Thanks again

[wilf]

Gearbox oil is usually red (ish), sump oil black (assuming it has been in there for a while).

[Alacrity]

Before you go mad 'assuming' it is this or that, take a step back, check levels are correct & not overfilled, then WASH IT OFF carefully with brake cleaner (or similar) in some kind of pump spray (motor factors will sell one). Only when you are happy it is all clean & dry (make sure above the sump of the auto box is also dry) can you determine where the leak(s) are from. You can then check it after it has stood for a while & work out where the leak is from. Remember it will drip of the lowest point to ALWAYS look above. If at all possible don't drive it between washing it dry & checking it as any oil will blow back.

[Andy S]

There is always a puddle of some colour under mine. Red, Black or Blue. Often a combination of at least 2.

Red puddles tend to be down to infrequent use and our the least worrying.

Black puddles; It’s a British car built in the 70’s and not in regular use. I like to think of this as a rudimentary rust inhibitor system.

Blue puddles; Never to be ignored.

Andy S

[marshman]

Susso, just in case you are not familiar with how to check the fluid level in the auto box follow this procedure:

https://socforum.com/forum/forum/stag-owners-club/technical-section/powertrain/28270-borg-warner-auto-gearbox-fluid-level-checking-procedure

This should ensure you get the level correct.

Roger

[Andy S]

I forgot clear puddles for brake fluid. These are more difficult to spot when blended with the other colours.

Stopping is very important though.

Andy S

[Phil S]

it seems we have not mentioned petrol or water leaks onto the floor, think we have covered most of a stags bodily fluids now!

[marshman]

thick, golden and sticky (and smelly) = rear diff

Black splattered soot on the wall (usually behind on passenger side) = exhaust (not strictly fluid leak but usually mixed with water)

Clear (ish) liquid on floor behind drivers front wheel - washer fluid from washer bottle that has melted on exhaust manifold 'cos some idiot didn't fit it in the bracket properly

[CJG]

Let's not forget the puddles of deep red and clear liquid with a slight salty taste. (blood sweat and tears) shed by many a frustrated home mechanic.

[Andy S]

Yes, it’s a bit like reading tea leafs.

By studying the size, colour and spread of fluids you can predict the future. Well at least as far as your Stag is concerned.

I used to use cardboard under the car. However, this asborbs the fluid too much. It becomes too difficult to predict how much has been lost.

Currently I use a large plastic lid of the type you use for under bed storage boxes. It is clear and segmented, so it keeps the fluids separate. You can then assess how much really has been lost.

Andy S