I have a build up of fluid around the bottom of my transmission. Is it leaking? I recently (two months ago) had its fluid replaced bya Jiffy Lube and it shifts great. How can I fix this short of a rebuild. What would/should a rebuild cost?

Thanks

 

clean as good as possible and then drive it to determine where it is leaking from. the pan gasket is 20 or 30 dollars from mazda, the front and rear seals are relatively cheap but are a pain to install because you must drop the trans...

 

Yeah, it looks like the transmission is three chucks with two seals dividing them. It looks like those seals are leaking. Seems very $$$$$$$$.

 

The seals are cheap, the labour is expensive, unless you can do it yourself. I had a leaking tranny, it's a lot of work getting it in and out, but I'd rather do the work than pay for it to be done (whenever possible/practical).

 

It is possible they overfilled the tranny. I did that while changing fluid in the driveway on ramps. Fluid leaks out of the vent hole at top of tranny when overfilled, then dribbles down side of transmission. If your car is not leaking in the driveway except after recently driving it, that could be the source of your fluid leak.

You can purchase a used transmission in Canada for 1/3 the cost of a rebuild. I had mine rebuilt and it still shifted poorley. Bought a used one for $400.00 Installed. Much happier Rx driver now.

 

I had a big issue with my 88 GXL where all the tranny fluid very slowly leaked out of it. It is apparently a common bug - if that is your problem, then replacing the front and rear seals will do the trick. It is a ton of labor, cost me like $500. But I looked at several used transmissions and they were all crap. My mechanic agreed - better to fix something you know works than take the risk.....