# Transmission Fluid leak **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [March 29, 2013, 2:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-leak/78325 "2013-03-29T02:02:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![collegeboy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/collegeboy/32/2661_2.png) [@collegeboy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/collegeboy)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2013, 2:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-leak/78325/1 "2013-03-29T02:02:35Z")
Hey Folks, My 1987 Nissan Sentra has a transmission leak. The leak is from a bad gasket from the center part of the Trans. Does anyone know if I or how to replace or fix this gasket without taking out the Trans. ( Just so we are clear-this is not the Trans pan) Thanks for helping out. ---
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2013, 5:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-leak/78325/2 "2013-03-29T05:37:44Z")
**_How Bad Is This Leak ? Does It Leave A Puddle ? How Much Fluid Does It Use ? You Mentioned Trans Pan, So This Is An Automatic, Correct ?_** CSA ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2013, 6:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-leak/78325/3 "2013-03-29T06:04:47Z")
Has the car ever been in an accident? It can be related but to the best of my knowledge it is a rebuild scenario. I did look at a used car that put bondo on the seam, it was not holding, ie still dripping, I was like hey this trans is dripping, who would bondo it? Not me he said I will fix it for sure, he never saw me again. ---
**Author:** ![collegeboy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/collegeboy/32/2661_2.png) [@collegeboy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/collegeboy)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 12:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-leak/78325/4 "2013-03-31T00:20:33Z")
The leak is not too bad yet. It leaves a small spot on the driveway about the size of a half dollar. It goes through a 1/4 quart a week of trans fluid. Yes this is a automatic. I think its the gasket for the automatic transmission pump. Nope never been in an accident. However, the car had set five years unused before I bought it. Any advice? ---
**Author:** ![Proac\_fan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/58f4c7/32.png) [@Proac\_fan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Proac_fan)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 12:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-leak/78325/5 "2013-03-31T00:39:12Z")
It’s a 26 yr old car… If it’s me I stock up on the budget trans fluid and add when needed ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 12:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-leak/78325/6 "2013-03-31T00:40:08Z")
That could be the selector shaft seal, thats where the linkage goes into the transmission. But it could also be a sensor as well. You have to look for it. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 12:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-leak/78325/7 "2013-03-31T00:50:51Z")
@collegeboy That means the transmission has to be removed for repair. It’s impossible to replace that seal without removing the transmission. So that equals 1qt/month. If you are willing to regularly top up ATF, you should be fine. I suggest you don’t park in the same spot every day. Seals tend to dry up and leak when vehicles sit unused for months/years. ---
**Author:** ![Proac\_fan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/58f4c7/32.png) [@Proac\_fan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Proac_fan)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 7:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-leak/78325/8 "2013-03-31T07:38:33Z")
$17 a gallon so roughly $1weekly is peanuts compared to removing the tranny and repairing the leak. Even if the vehicle lasted 2 years more you’d spend roughly $100 on ATF or about the same as having the repair diagnosed by a transmission shop. ---
**Author:** ![collegeboy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/collegeboy/32/2661_2.png) [@collegeboy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/collegeboy)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2013, 2:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-leak/78325/9 "2013-04-01T02:38:26Z")
All right that is what I will do. I will keep filling my car up on Transmission fluid and wait and see what happens. Thanks for the advice. ---
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2013, 5:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-leak/78325/10 "2013-04-01T05:41:53Z")
**_College Boy, Good Plan. You Receive An “A” And Extra Credit. While You’re Under There (Under The Hood, That Is) Every Week Be Sure And Do A Check On Other Fluids (Coolant, Engine Oil, Brake Fluid, Power Steering Fluid, Windsield Washer Fluid . . .) As Well. Look at the accessory drive belt(s) too._** I Do This Routine Weekly On All Our Family Cars. You Can Catch A Problem Before It Becomes Catastrophic, Especially On An Older Vehicle. We See Folks On This Forum Every Week Who Didn’t And It Did ! CSA