1993 Saturn SL2 5 SPD, tranny leak

Tiny
BLACKBOY454
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  • 1993 SATURN SL2
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 125,000 MILES
Recently replaced the clutch, pressure plate, throw out bearing, and master and slave cylinder assembly on my saturn, and a couple weeks later now I notice that it leaks a little bit of tranny fluid after I have driven it. It looks like it could be coming from the point where the bell housing attaches to the engine block but have not taken a look with the car raised in the air yet. Does anyone know what the most common thing would be to look at replacing first?
Thursday, May 5th, 2011 AT 4:05 AM

97 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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If there is transmission fluid coming out of the bell housing then most likely its leaking from the quill bearing seal. That is in that sleeve that the throw out bearing slides on. Where the input shaft comes out of in the bell housing.
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Thursday, May 5th, 2011 AT 4:36 AM
Tiny
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Ok louie, looks like my bro and I have some more work to do. Its still drivable for now so ill use it for short trips, fix my saab then finish my saturn.
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Thursday, May 5th, 2011 AT 3:56 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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If it is that quill bearing it's not just a pop in seal you have to remove the transmission bell housing and press it in and press it out.
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+1
Thursday, May 5th, 2011 AT 4:39 PM
Tiny
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Speciality tools required I am guessing? Possibly need to take this one to a shop then.
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Thursday, May 5th, 2011 AT 5:39 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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To save some money on labor I would do the labor yourself just bring the transmission shop your bell housing to replace it.
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Thursday, May 5th, 2011 AT 6:00 PM
Tiny
BLACKBOY454
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Thats what I was thinking. We already had the tranny out once. Y pay someone to do something we have already done. Not to mention we pulled the engine on my brothers 94 sc2 twice. Although this time it will be my engine we are pulling being as how it is my understanding that in order to remove the transmission you have to remove the engine and transmission out of the car as 1 unit.
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Friday, May 6th, 2011 AT 12:42 AM
Tiny
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If I replace the engine with a 5 speed and it's a S model like yours I will pull it all as a one because if you leave the transmission in it's hard to line the clutch back up with the transmission when putting the engine back in. To just remove the transmission you support the engine and remove the sub frame and the transmission.
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Friday, May 6th, 2011 AT 4:27 PM
Tiny
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We have pulled engine on saturns before, we just need to find a cherry picker to lift the engine and tranny out. And the up side about removing the engine I will have the space to do some other work on the engine when it is out of the car, fuel filter, oil change, plugs and wires, valve cover gasket, any suggestions? Anything I should inspect for wear when the engine is out of the car?
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Saturday, May 7th, 2011 AT 6:25 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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You can replace the plugs wires valve cover gasket fuel filter and change the oil pretty easy with the engine in.I cant think of anything to check while the engine is out.I would much rather remove drop the sub frame and then the transmission but if you want to do all the work of taking out the transmission and engine then go for it.
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Sunday, May 8th, 2011 AT 5:59 AM
Tiny
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How hard is it to drop the subframe? And do you need a lift to do so? All we have is floor jacks and a few jack stands. If it is possible to do this with the engine in I wud prefer it that way but I am not the experienced one with the mechanical workings of a car, hence the reason my brother has been helping me out with pretty much everything ive done to the car. Things I can do on a car by myself is pretty limited, plugs and wires, oil change, battery replacement. And maybe if I try hard enough general brake maintanence. But thats about it. Im a computer guy not car guy but to get my car going im not afraid to get my hands dirty and get it done.
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Sunday, May 8th, 2011 AT 1:46 PM
Tiny
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The sub frame is pretty easy to drop and you can do it on jack stands have done it before. You just have to support the engine at the eyelet by the throttle body so when you remove the sub frame everything doesnt fall on you.
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Monday, May 9th, 2011 AT 4:47 AM
Tiny
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So support it with either a cherry picker or other strong sturdy item from a chain. Should be easy enough.
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Monday, May 9th, 2011 AT 5:21 AM
Tiny
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The cherry picker works I have seen people lay a 4x4 across the fenders and run a chain from it but I can't recommend that method because it's wood. The engine support I have is a otc stinger the cheaper less weight rated one works great it's a universal one.
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Monday, May 9th, 2011 AT 6:56 PM
Tiny
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Latest update: the tranny was still leaking last time I drove the car but yesterday morning the ignition lock cylinder ceased up and the key will not turn either way. Starting to debate on keeping the car when I get it fixed, again. As of right now the car is parked until I can find the time and money to fix it.
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Thursday, May 19th, 2011 AT 4:33 AM
Tiny
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So did you fix the transmission leak and it still leaks?What position is the key stuck in?
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Thursday, May 19th, 2011 AT 4:40 AM
Tiny
BLACKBOY454
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Have not had a chance to pull the tranny yet, key is stuck in the acc position, is not completely off yet not on.
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Thursday, May 26th, 2011 AT 5:28 AM
Tiny
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Sorry it took so long to get back to you I have been without a computer or internet for several days. In the acc position you can remove the cylinder Take all the 5.5mm screws out of the steer column shroud then pull the top cover out. Then unplug the connectors above the cylinder then you will see a square release tab push it down then slide the cylinder out. Then you can see if the cylinder is jammed up or the housing itself. Let me know what you find.
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Sunday, May 29th, 2011 AT 4:27 AM
Tiny
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Its ok, im in no hurry to fix it so a late reply is ok. The tranny still needs to be removed which just might have to wait til late july. Am getting a seasonal job that has 14 hour days so fixing a car will be a bit difficult in the summer months.
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Monday, May 30th, 2011 AT 11:17 PM
Tiny
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Well keep me posted on what you find I will be here.
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Monday, May 30th, 2011 AT 11:39 PM
Tiny
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Got a new ignition lock cylinder, no time to put it in yet though. The keys are blank and dont have the saturn logo on them so it will be easy to tell the difference for the keys that unlock the doors and the keys to start the car. Un intended added security so I dont mind using 2 seperate keys as opposed to 1 for everything. I am probably going to be paying my brother to replace the seals in the transmission while I am working long hours. 1 question though. Is it possible that the front seal could be pressed in using standard tools in anyones average garage? If so how?
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Saturday, June 18th, 2011 AT 7:32 PM

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