New Leak

[Memphis]

I have a 1994 with 4cyl,5spd and 136,000 miles. It has always leaked a little engine oil and a little transmission fluid. This weekend I replaced the shifter bushings and it shifts much better now. While I was at it I thought I would check the shift rail bushings as I hear they leak. It seemed dry around them and there was some orange sealant on them as if they had been 'inspected' before and sealed. I decided that I wouldn't worry about them right now.
That was Saturday afternoon and I drove it some Sunday, but when I got to work today I noticed a very noticeable leak from the trans now. Can't tell just where it's coming from. The tailshaft looks clean and dry. I read somewhere that those plugs are also vents. Is that possible? Did I seal up the tranny and now I've blown a seal in the front?
Scott

 

[Memphis]

How much are rebuild kits for these trannys? It also has a whining noise while in 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 5th. With a 136,000 miles on a beat up truck like this would it really be worth my time and money? I think the front seal must be what's leaking. I get a little dribble from the shift rail plugs, but not much, really. Thanks,Scott

 

[4x4junkie]

A whining noise does not bode well...

Did you check the fluid level when you were doing the shifter bushings?

(transmission vents around the stickshift assy)

 

[Memphis]

I did add more, from the top. It seems to leak mostly right after I shut it off and let it sit for awhile. It's always been noisy in 5th, but now I notice that it also does it some in all gears except 4th. I think I saw on here somewhere that it could be a bushing issue? I may have to park this as I'm adding fluid every day! It's always leaked a little, but now that I put the new bushings in it's sort of like it's pressurized and has accentuated the situation. These transmissions must build up a certain amount of pressure?

 

[Memphis]

Oh, what is the path of venting? Is it through that little rubber collar on the inner shift boot? How can I make this transmission vent better?

 

[Memphis]

I think I just figured something out. The new inner shift boot (the metal plate with the rubber boot that screws down) doesn't have vent holes like the factory one does. There is no way for my transmission to vent but through the input shaft seal. It is also beggining to leak around the shift rail plugs that the previous owner put RTV sealant on. So I made little vent holes as best I could in this new boot. We'll see what happens. I know it will not stop the leaks, but will maybe, hopefully, slow them enough to limp this along till I can rebuild the transmission. Scott