Tranny leak,...again

67 T1 · Post by **67 T1** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 5:49 am

All,
As you are aware, I recently rebuilt my tranny. Got her, the engine, everything put back together.
One of the last items I put back on was the tranny filler tube (as it must protrude through the engine tin). This small task was difficult. Putting it in place was not a problem, but if you've done this as well you know that there are only two bolts holding the filler tube in place, one at the base and one towards the top. I lightly threaded the base bolt, then sought to install the top bolt. This was difficult as the tube was naturally wanting to be to one side and I had to pull it back to line up with the top bolt hole. Finally, I located the small hole and threaded the top bolt, the tightened the bottom bolt (you cannot get a ratchet, or torque ratchet on this bolt, wrench only). I feared torqueing too much so that I wouldn't strip the bottom bolt.
Added tranny fluid (only 5 qts) and was happy with my work. Went in to cool off, came back out and tranny fluid was all over my slab. Crawled under to inspect, and you guessed it. It was leaking at the point where the filler tube inserts into the tranny. I tightened the bolt a few more 1/4 turns, and the leak remained unchanged.

Three questions:

Should I unbolt the top bolt so that the tube can go back to its 'natural' position?

Is there anything I may have overlooked or done wrong?

After a rebuild it will take approx 12 qts to fill the tranny. Do you refill incrementally, add three qts, crank the car, put it in gear so that the tranny fluid will be cycled through the tranny, shut off and repeat to 12 qts?

raygreenwood · Post by **raygreenwood** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 8:13 am

The thing about the tube...is that the bottom bolt is "king". I would clean up very well, make sure you have the correct 0-ring...and then use a bit of permatex copper. Let it cure overnight. Before you start this, bolt the tube up and see if it needs a hair bit of bending to get aligned at the top. Don't use the top bolt alignment to slew things around or it will leak.
Yes...you want to get enough into the tranny first to fill everything up so the pump works...then fill encrementally when running in drive...with brake on...idleing.
Also, be sure that the top tranny vent is clear...or else, the air venting into the case from the torque converter and other parts...as it fills...will blow past the seal at the filler tube from internal pressure.
Also, be sure you have replaced the 0-ring at the governer cover. It can leak from there also. Ray

67 T1 · Post by **67 T1** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 8:47 am

thanks Ray.
It was 'out-of-whack' when I first lined it up. The top of the tube was pressed against the firewall towards the middle of the car, this related to having to pull it back around 1/2 in to line up with the top bolt hole. If not for the firewall holding it back, it may have wanted to go another 1/2 to 3/4 in. It apeared to be fairly straight when I had it off, no apparent bending anyway.

I thoroughly cleaned the tranny. The filler attaching hole was free of any debris.

I've not used the permatex copper before. Do I apply to the o-ring or to the tube?

I did not replace the o-ring at bottom of tube, I pulled it off, but it seemed in very good condition. I have this o-ring and will replace.

I did replace the seal inside the governor case.

The vents at top were cleaned as well as I could get them. I lifted them up and then down several times and they worked freely.

raygreenwood · Post by **raygreenwood** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 9:53 pm

As with any sealer...use sparingly. I would put just a bit on the o-ring...a thin , clean smear. Then a little around the foot where the tube goes into the top of the tranny. Just bear in mind that you don't want to get any of this in the tranny...though it will just go into the filter. Ray

67 T1 · Post by **67 T1** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 10:27 am

I posted this on the Samba forum, but will follow up here in case someone comes across this thread in a few years and wonders, 'did the dude get it fixed?'

Yes. The problem was that the o-ring was sliding up on the filler tube as I placed it in the hole in the tranny. I could not see this. After the third leak, I got a mirror so I could see what was going on. And there it was, on the back side, the o-ring had slid up the tube due to the close specs of the hole (I started to write, due to the tightness of the hole, but realized the heckling I would receive). So I took it off again, slowly and deliberately reinstalled while pushing down on the o-ring to keep it in place. Tightened it up and she's good to Hooah.