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Powerglide leaks Fluid when stored

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by BJR, Apr 15, 2009.

  1. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 9,911

    BJR
    Member

    I am working on a customers 55 Vett. It has a powerglide transmission and when it is stored for a month or so the fluid drains out of the torque converter and spills out all over the floor. I know I have read about a fix for this but have searched and can't find it. Can anyone help? Thanks Brian
     
  2. The powerglide in my altered used to do that. Drove me crazy until I found it was leaking out around the dipstick tube seal. Replaced the little o-ring type gasket where the dipstick fits into the 'glide housing and no more leak.
    Of course later the damn thing started leaking around the tailshaft seal!!! ARRRRGH!!!
     
  3. LUX BLUE
    Joined: May 23, 2005
    Posts: 4,407

    LUX BLUE
    Alliance Vendor
    from AUSTIN,TX

    You forgot about when it leaks from...
    The selector shaft seal (D'oH!) the speedo gear (DAMMIT!)
    The servo cover (Seriously God...Are You up there? Do You hate me, or the 'Glide?) and then, once all of that is sealed up, it will then begin leaking around the pan, or go back to the starting point.

    I also like it when You leave a full transmission out, and the heat cycles of the day make it puke a little bit each day. then, when least expected, You look over and "Sherzam! Gonna need to shamwow up the 9 quarts of transmission blood off the flo!"

    I feel Your pain.

    and the easy way to keep it from leaking? start it every 48 hours. there are worse punishments.:D
     
  4. coupster
    Joined: May 9, 2006
    Posts: 860

    coupster
    Member
    from Oscoda Mi

    I am assuming you are refering to a cast iron glide. I had one in my 55 Nomad and tried to remedy that very problem for over 30 years. My final solution was to take it for a ride every Sunday. No more leak. Good luck.
     

  5. Wesley
    Joined: Aug 12, 2006
    Posts: 1,670

    Wesley
    Member

    A leak from a powerglide is not a flaw, it is a feature. When it quits leaking you know that you need to add fluid.
     
  6. wvenfield
    Joined: Nov 23, 2006
    Posts: 5,584

    wvenfield
    Member

    IMO it's not just the PG. Many old tranny's will leak from lack of use.
     
  7. Nomadness
    Joined: Oct 26, 2007
    Posts: 462

    Nomadness
    Member

  8. 56sedandelivery
    Joined: Nov 21, 2006
    Posts: 6,695

    56sedandelivery
    Member Emeritus

    This is the phenomenon known as "burping". There have been several "fixes" tried by the tri-five restorer types. The best seems to be "one-way" valves placed in the cooler lines. But, like several others have said, drive it more often. Butch/56sedandelivery.
     
  9. kustomkat
    Joined: Sep 4, 2006
    Posts: 558

    kustomkat
    Member

    My dads 56 has done it for years. Never knew there was an actual fix for it... Have to try it.
     
  10. striper
    Joined: Mar 22, 2005
    Posts: 4,498

    striper
    Member

    Wow, I never knew this was a feature of the powerglide. Mine does it too and I always thought it was strange that it leaked when sitting for a long period.

    I could understand if there was a bit of a leak after a drive but I would expect it to stop after all the oil drained down.

    I feel good about mine leaking now and feel less inclined to try to fix it. I have a family!

    Pete
     
  11. choppintops
    Joined: Dec 9, 2008
    Posts: 1,460

    choppintops
    BANNED

    Its just marking its territory.
     
  12. UncleJoey
    Joined: Apr 2, 2009
    Posts: 91

    UncleJoey
    Member

    My cast iron glide has always leaked in my 58 Belair. When it pisses me off I just look at the "completely oiled" underside of the car and smile, knowing that it won't rust under there!! (I'm waiting for a fix too!)
     
  13. chopz56
    Joined: Aug 24, 2006
    Posts: 267

    chopz56
    Member

    Man is this some funny shit here cause mine does the same thing,plus to boot it sometimes has a mind of it's own and shifts in and out of 1st and2nd but not at high speeds so dont worry!I just check fluid all the time for my own sanity!:D
     
  14. kevron
    Joined: Dec 26, 2008
    Posts: 93

    kevron
    Member

    try lucas stopslip it helps but start it up dayley as the oil in the converter drains back down into the box and thats a shitload of xtra oil got to go some were the floor sounds like a good place ps they are still tuff tranie kev
     
  15. Clutch 2
    Joined: May 26, 2006
    Posts: 107

    Clutch 2
    Member
    from Maryland

    The cast iron power glide did that in my '60 Impala. There is a very large "O" ring on the torque converter (the cover plate is removable). It gets cracks in it over time. When the car sets, ATF leaks out. As long as it runs it really isn't noticable.
     
  16. hey that ain't a leak,it's just "marking territory".

    I'm in the middle of repairing the leak in mine today.

    1939fiat
     

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