Fluid Leak Repair for Pontiac Firefly (Canada) 1997
Once the leak has been pinpointed and traced back to its
source, the cause of the leak must be determined for the leak to be properly
repaired. For example, if a gasket is replaced but the sealing flange is
bent, the new gasket will not repair the leak. The bent flange must also
be repaired. Before attempting to repair a leak, certain conditions should
be checked and corrected if necessary. The following conditions may cause
a leak:
Gasket Leakage
| • | Fluid level/pressure is too high |
| • | Plugged vent or drain-back holes |
| • | Improperly torqued fasteners, dirty or damaged threads |
| • | Warped flanges or sealing surfaces |
| • | Scratches, burrs or other damage to the sealing surfaces |
| • | Cracking or porosity of the component |
| • | Improper sealant used, where applicable |
Seal Leakage
| • | Fluid level/pressure is too high |
| • | Plugged vent or drain-back holes |
| • | Cracks in the component |
| • | Scratched, nicked or damaged, manual or output shaft surfaces |
| • | Loose or worn bearing causing excess seal wear |
Possible Points of Fluid Leaks
Transaxle Fluid Pan Leakage
| • |
Test for incorrectly tightened
attaching bolts. |
| • | Test for an improperly installed or damaged gasket. |
| • | Test for a damaged fluid pan. |
| • | Test for an incorrect gasket (1). |
Vent Leakage
| • | Test the fluid level indicator for the overfilled system. |
| • | Test the fluid color for the water or the coolant in fluid. The
fluid will appear milky. |
| • | Test for an incorrect fluid level indicator. |
| • | Test for a plugged or restricted vent. |
| • | Test for a plugged or restricted drain-back holes. |
| • | Test for a mispositioned fluid pump-to-case gasket. |
| • | Test for porous casting. |
Case Leakage
| • |
Test for a damaged or
missing filler tube O-ring (3). |
| • | Test for an incorrectly installed or missing filler tube bracket. |
| • | Test for a missing, damaged or improperly installed TV cable seal. |
| • | Test for a damaged or loose Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) seal. |
| • | Test for loose or damaged fluid cooler connector fittings. |
| • | Test for a damaged speedometer driven gear seal. |
| • | Test for manual shift shaft fluid seal (2). |
| • |
Test for a damaged, missing
or improperly installed rear cover gasket (1). |
| • | Test for a damaged or missing intermediate servo cover gasket. |
| • | Test for a damaged or missing intermediate servo cover seal. |
| • | Test for a damaged, missing or improperly installed transaxle
case housing-to-case gasket. |
| • | Test for worn or damaged drive shaft seals. |
| • | Test for porous casting. |
Converter Side Leakage
| • | Converter seal damaged. |
| - | Seal lip cut (Test converter hub for damage) |
| - | Garter spring missing from the seal |
| • | Converter leak in the weld area (replace the torque converter). |
| • | Porous casting (case or pump). |
Fluid Out the Vent or Filler Tube
| • | Water or coolant in the fluid (the fluid will appear milky) |
| • | Incorrect fluid level indicator |
| • | Drain-back holes plugged |
