1994 LeSabre Transmission Leak

[OBCRG]

I own a 1994 Buick LeSabre that suddenly developed a transmission fluid leak. I have owned this car since it was brand new and took very good care of it over the years. This included flushing the transmission fluid (T-Tech) every 20k to 25k and changing the trans filter every 50k. The car currently has 138,000 and it runs great.

Well, while driving home, I smelled oil burning, so I pulled over, popped the hood and found a large puddle of trans fluid on the plastic pan (that is right under the radiator and front frame). After I got home, I removed this plastic pan and replaced the trans fluid that had leaked out and then took a look to see where it was leaking. Unfortunately, after carefully checking all of the obvious places including the transmission cooler lines (which is replaced with brand new lines three years ago), I was not able to find the origin of my transmission leak and I am stumped. I also had my son hop in the car, start the engine, put it in gear with his foot on the brake, while I looked under the hood and under the car. The strange thing is that the car now "appears" to be no longer leaking transmission fluid (but I know this cannot be correct).

Any suggestions as to where my transmission may be leaking would be appreciated.

 

[gnhbodyguy]

I would guess connectors at the radiator first. You can take small strips of rag and tie them around the two connectors. If they get oiled up in the future. You have found the spot.

 

[CentralTexas]

I would guess connectors at the radiator first. You can take small strips of rag and tie them around the two connectors. If they get oiled up in the future. You have found the spot.

+1. Also, the burning oil would mean the trans fluid is hitting an exhaust manifold or pipe. Check around these areas or for blow back from the radiator area to a hot exhaust surface.

 

[OBCRG]

I found the origin of my transmission fluid leak. Thankfully, it is a fairly easy fix; however, it should hot have happened in the first place since I replaced both transmission cooler lines not too long ago. After wiggling each if the rubber hoses (on the two transmission cooler lines), I found one of the compressed fittings to be faulty. Made in China stuff sucks!