72 Cutlass Conv 350/350. Was checking the car this weekend and prepping some things for when I can finally pull it out of storage, and noticed 2 fairly large spots in the cardboard that I keep under it…both from the tranny…one near the front, and the other about half-way back. Didn't get the chance to crawl under it yet to see what I can see, and probably won't for another week or so. Got the car at the start of last summer and didn’t seem to leak. I’m in MA and the car came from WA state...wondering if maybe this was its first cold winter and that could have something to do with it? If so, are there certain things to check?

Also, pretty sure there is a leak in the conv top system, but not sure where the fluid is going, as there aren’t any spots under that area of the car. Are there certain places in the car that the fluid collects?

 

The convertible top cylinders can leak from where the shaft exits the cylinder body and the fluid will pool under the cylinders. I don't think you can see that without removing the back seat and armrests.

You can see wet areas on the passenger side wheelhouse in this photo:

PC230030_zpsf63cd72d.jpg

 

Sometimes car's will seep from sitting for long times. I live in mass and my transmission will seep from the cable. That's after the transmission line gasket has been replaced. It stops in the spring when I drive it.

 

most of the time it's because the torque converter drains down into the pan,effectively overfilling the pan and finding any possible leaks it can. selector shaft seals seem to leak from this. my 66 dynamic will leak 1 quart over the winter if i don't get to drive it but doesn't leak all summer when in use.

 

My garage looks like an EPA super fund site after winter storage. After an hour of warm up and a heavy drive the gaskets swell pretty6 tight. I do find a new leak once in awhile...my power steering hose wouldn't seal so I replaced it this year...it was old and this past winter was just too much for it. I always give a good inspection after winter storage.

 

Thanks guys...have had a few old cars over the years but never experienced this, so was a bit concerned. Hopefully everything is OK and I'll just need to put a tray under it during the winter.

 

Both of my Cutlasses always leak tranny oil in my garage no matter what I fix. Tightening pan bolts, using a thin layer of RTV on both side of the pan gaskets, replacing o-rings. etc. Its just that when its cold the metal shrinks and the oil will find a way to leak. When you drive it around and it gets hot, the metal expands and seals up the leaks. I need to drive my car more often. Weather in NYC has been warm and cold for now.

 

This is good to know...both of mine have also been doing this over the winter and I was thinking I was going to have to drop the trans to replace seals and stuff before driving them.

 

My 76 also leaked trans fluid after sitting over the winter, seemed to be coming out where the speedo cable went in, never leaked all summer go figure.
I had my tranny rebuilt a couple years ago now.
No leaks during the winter months now. The speedo seal was the culprit .

Eric

 

My Omega always leaked. No matter what I did. When I put the tremac 5 speed in it the instructions said I could use atf or syncro- mesh . I used syncro-mesh cause I don't care if I never see another drop atf. Did you ever look in the chassis manual? It's like the first thing under troubleshooting in the transmission sec. Pores casting.

 

X2 with torque converter draining.

 

Been there done that. Mine was from the downshift cable. There was a crack in the housing. Daily driving never leaked at all. If it was parked for more then a week a small puddle would appear. After two weeks it looked like two quarts. Selector shaft seal and dipstick tube o-ring are also likely culprits. If it was the front or rear seal or pan gasket it woul leak all the time.