Front transmission seal questions
 

The wagon seems to be now losing transmission fluid significantly worse since it wasn't running for a month...I know the front seal is leaking. I'm leaving relatively large puddles everywhere I go now.

1) Does this require the whole tranny to be pulled?
If so, should I look into doing any sort of rebuild since its out? I'm currently at 94k miles. I've heard some go at ~160k and others can do 300k+.

2) Would it be possible to swap the fluid to a high mileage fluid with additives to swell, or think that will be just futile?

1. Yes
1b. No, I doubt it needs a rebuild at 94k....you could have a shop re-seal it and inspect it if you can find a good euro-trans shop locally. We have one, and they re-sealed and inspected a trans from one of the 300SD's for us for about $350. At 314k original miles, they said it had virtually no wear inside and that a rebuild would be pointless. :eek:

2. It will be futile.

I believe I should be able to pull the transmission myself....but $350 doesn't sound too bad to save all the hassle. Maybe I will just take it to a good euro-transmission shop and have them check it over for good measure.