Small trans fluid leak after TC install

[ctrlraven]

Back on July 27th I had my PI 3500 installed by a well respected shop in my area. I didn't start noticing very small (quarter size) spots until I came back to work cause I park my car in my garage and have a smooth top concrete floor. I saw the spots last week, got under the car thought maybe some of the trans pans bolts were loose, all but two were tight and they just needed half a turn or so to be tight. The gasket looked wet and the bolts on both sides were damp with fluid and I could see the oil stain on the pan.

When replacing the stock converter what all is actually removed besides the transmission? They did charge me for 6 qts of Mercon V and I since noticing the spots I have checked my trans fluid about 5 mins after getting where I need to, fluid level is fine so I'm kinda lost.

Could they have over filled the transmission and this is the excess working it's way out? I have an appt to take it back to the transmission shop this Friday for them to look at it.

Would it be wise in the meantime to drain the trans, drop the pan and inspect things? Also I notice some of the bolts provided with the Art Carr pan seem a little loose now, like they can wiggle around after being loosen slightly. Anyone know of some replacement bolts I can get that won't rust up like the Art Carr bolts are doing also?

[Zack]

It is most definitely the dipstick o-ring.
Since Ive yet to see an input seal get damaged, that is prolly not the issue.
You will probably need to pull the dipstick, get a new o-ring and lightly coat it with some RTV before re-installing it

[RF Overlord]

Did they re-use the OEM gasket or does the Art Carr come with one of those POS cork ones? The OEM gasket is designed to be re-used and has torque limiters in the bolt holes to prevent over-tightening. It VERY easy to over-tighten a cork or plain rubber gasket; over-tightening can cause leaks just like under-tightening. The proper torque for the pan bolts is 10 ft-lbs.

...or what Zack said^^^.

[ctrlraven]

Zack you are the man, now that you mention that I do remember looking at the bottom of the dipstick and saw that it was wet around it. I am going to see if the shop next door can do it for me. THANKS!

[fastblackmerc]

Get either stainless steel regular bolts or Allen-head bolts for the pan.

[ctrlraven]

Do you know the size by chance?

[fastblackmerc]

Do you know the size by chance?

Unfortunately, no. Try calling Lidio or DR. They should know.

[larryo340]

Did they replace the front pump seal after converter was removed?? Personally I would never swap converters without replacing that seal. It's worth the couple of bucks.

You could say I'm old school

[ctrlraven]

I have no clue if they replaced the front pump seal, don't even know what the front pump seal is lol.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

It's a lip seal around the nose of the converter. They can and do leak if they get nicked up. It shouldn't be leaking, but then again nothing on the trans "should" be leaking.