Transmission leak

[mindaugas]

Just wondering what suggestions there are for a slow transmission leak? Should I just use some stop leak stuff? It's a 2002 Subaru Outback automatic tran if that matters.

[Mr.Macinstache]

Find out where the leak is coming from. Is it a drain plug? A main seal?

Generally any 'leak fix' in a bottle wont work and may harm your transmission.

If it's coming from where the case splits, you can try to use MotoBond to fix the seal. That stuff is pretty amazing.

[Forcus]

Just wondering what suggestions there are for a slow transmission leak? Should I just use some stop leak stuff? It's a 2002 Subaru Outback automatic tran if that matters.

Stop leak is a last resort for a car you don't care about. Additionally it may do nothing for yours. Traditionally the stop leak type additives are meant to swell seals and gaskets to make up for damage. I don't think it works (or as well) on o-ring type seals found on newer vehicles plus with plastic parts being used internally, who knows what else is being affected. Just my $.02 but I am really anal about fixing things right.

[mindaugas]

Thanks, that answers the stop leak question. I was wondering if they were harmful.

[Greg]

Is it a fluid level problem, like an internal leak (between transmission and differential) or a leak to the exterior where you actually see fluid that has leaked out?   If external, sometimes the fix is easy (drive shaft seal) other times harder (input shaft seal).

[mindaugas]

Exterior leak. I'll have to clean things up to find the drip, the transmission was covered in grit last time I was under it for an oil change.