Transmission leak after trans service?
 

1995 E320 - I had my transmission fluid changed last week and I realized I had a leak. I thought it was probably the gasket, but my Indy told me the transmission fluid is leaking from a vacuum box on the top of the transmission. He is still researching the price of the box and he wasn't sure about what the box actually does. They don't do anything more than a regular transmission service of changing fluids and filters, so they are not transmission experts.

Do you guys know what this could be?

It delays your 2-3 shift when the coolant (engine) is cold.

Did they do a "flush", or a conventional fluid/filter change.

Did the transmssion leak BEFORE this mechanic who "isn't sure what the box is" put his hands on the car to start servicing the transmission.


You can see where I am going with this:


Many years ago I took my 1979 Cadillac Coupe de Ville to a garage in San Francisco for an ordinary transmission fluid service at 80,000 miles. It ran and shifted well before the service.

A day later, the car howled like the hounds of the baservilles.

The 3rd day after the "transmssion service" was perfomed, it failed entirely.


Coincidence? The shop totally stonewalled, and refused to do anything at all.

Forced me to buy a new transmission myself. Sent me to a place that supposedly gave me a "wholesale" price they "arranged".

wow thanks

My understanding is that it was just a conventional fluid and filter change. They just told me the leaking part is about $170.00, but they are going to have to order it and replace it on another day. I love the guys, so I am not trying to blame them in any way. Even if somehow it was their fault, I would just pay them. I just want to know what the part does and why it might have started to leak after the service.

About 4 years ago I had all of the transmission seals replaced at the dealer when they told me my kickdown actuator was bad. I also had the Bowden cable replaced at that time. It was about $1000.00 at the dealer and after the service at the dealer I ended up with the shift flair. I am not a stranger to coming home with new problems after getting service. Bye the way, there were no symptoms with the kickdown problem except that the CEL was illuminated.

Is the kickdown actuator something different than this vacuum box that controls the cold shift delay?

Just a little more help please
 

Could the leak be from overfill? Is there a common site for leaking caused by overfilling? If it is leaking now, will simply draining some fluid resolve the problem, or does the part have to be replaced?

Thanks again for your help!!!

You should maybe drive it & bring it up to normal operating temperature. Then pull it over on a level surface. At this point check the fluid level. If it is over-full you need to drain it down. The last part of the fill comes up pretty fast & you can get them too full of fluid. This should give you a basis of the work from the fluid servicing.