2001 GTP tranny fluid leak

**pcengine92** · 01-29-2012

Hello, everyone.

Ok, I bought this car as a "parts car", but am slowly getting around to building it back up. A few days after it was towed home, I noticed that there was a small puddle of fluid underneath the driver's side. Yesterday, I finally get around to putting a battery in the car to start it up. I shifted the car into gear, no problems. Then I looked under the car again, and there was a pool of transmission fluid on the ground. After reading some additional posts, it seems that the trans cooling lines are the culprit. I'm guessing they may have blown when I shifted the car into gear. The car had been sitting for two years, but the fluid looked as if it was just recently changed.

They seem pretty easy to replace, but does anyone have a diagram or picture that shows what the lines look like?

Any help would be appreciated.

**boostedcompg** · 01-29-2012

what makes you think its the cooler liines/? you need to pinpoint the problem before you start spending money.

**MoarkatsINmuhtrailer** · 01-29-2012

The two tranny lines run right up front of the engine, you'll have to crawl underneath to get to them. You'll see metal/rybber/metal. Usually what happens is the crimps between the rubber and metal crack or break and thats where you get a nice leak. Best thing to do is use a dremmel and cut the crimp long wise (going with the line) cut it lightly and you'll be able to pry both off. Next, get some tranny cooler hose from advance, autozone.. Etc and use two fuel "injection" clamps on each side of the hose where you'll slide it over the metal

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**pcengine92** · 01-29-2012

@boostedcompg: I don't know, but I am about 99% sure it is the lines. There are no leaks coming from the pan, or near the cv boot joints. When I poured in fluid to top it off, the fluid dripped right back out. I looked straight down (standing over the engine) and could see it dripping. This is not my first time owning a grand prix, just the first time having this issue.

@99pgpgt: Thanks for the reply. I keep reading that these are "quick snap" lines or something like that. Depending on the condition of the line, I may just replace a section (like I did on a broken brake line on my old 97 bonneville), or just replace the whole line.

**MoarkatsINmuhtrailer** · 01-29-2012

Wait, wait wait... If it's pouring straight out, I'd pull the dipstick tube out cuz i bet that's where your leak is

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**pcengine92** · 01-29-2012

Is the dipstick tube bolted on? I have to go to a junkyard today for parts anyway.

**boostedcompg** · 01-29-2012

I second the dipstick tube. I just don't want ya spending money if you haven't seen where its dripping from. Pour some more in and get under that thing and find out for sure......wear an old shirt

**pcengine92** · 01-29-2012

I haven't had a chance to look at it for the past few hours, been at the junkyard. I tugged on the tube and it felt snugly in place. Any reason on why these would crack or leak?

**MoarkatsINmuhtrailer** · 01-29-2012

There is a bracket that has three rivets that holds it to the tube. From there, there is one bolt that holds it to the tranny. What usually happens, is the bracket pulls away from the tube. Or there also is a seal inside, if the seal is damaged, that could be it. Do you have headers?

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**pcengine92** · 01-29-2012

Headers: I don't believe so. Engine is a stock 3800 series II with superchargers. No mods that I can see.

**MoarkatsINmuhtrailer** · 01-30-2012

Hmmm I don't see why the tube would be separated then but who knows. Check it all

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**BillBoost37** · 01-30-2012

Uh..guys. If the leak is in front of the motor, and the dipstick tube is in the rear of the motor.....how's the fluid magically crawling from the tube to the front of the motor?

PC, get your butt under the car and look. Likely the lines rusted and you need to replace them. Some years (Regal IIRC) have a clamp on of the lines. Maybe it's a simple clamp fix. Get under the car and check it out before you buy/replace parts that aren't bad. I hate doing work that doesn't need to be done.

**MoarkatsINmuhtrailer** · 01-30-2012

Bill that's what we were saying, he needs to get under there and check that stuff. And if you saw in his first post, he doesn't know where the leak is from as he said that he moved the car then saw a puddle. Also, it seemed too familiar to poor in and come right back out ya know?

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**BillBoost37** · 01-30-2012

I saw that...was merely reiterating what was suggested.

It's odd, many guys that ignore sound advice from most of you ...will listen to me when I tell them to do it.

(Danielle is going to put on a bikini and crawl under her car with a hose when the weather warms up. Why..because I said so. Who wants copies of the pics?)

**MoarkatsINmuhtrailer** · 01-30-2012

bill have I ever told you you're my hero?

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**BillBoost37** · 01-30-2012

You'll be my hero is you tell your phone not to send a signature that it sent the message.

**MoarkatsINmuhtrailer** · 01-30-2012

OK :/

**pcengine92** · 01-30-2012

I finally got a chance to get under the car today. I had to use 2 jacks as all 4 tires are flat. Anyway, I discovered that the line itself doesn't seem to be cracked, but is leaking from the nut that connects to the trans. There was a loose-fitting plastic cover, and I easily slid that off. I touched the line, and found that it would wiggle even though the nut was tight. So the fluid is seeping through where the nut and the line connect. If anyone knows if the size of the nut, please let me know. It's in a tight spot, and I'll probably need to purchase an open-ended wrench or special tool to fit in the space. I may just cut the line and use a socket to remove the nut, and then put in a new section.

trans line 1a.JPG

**pcengine92** · 01-31-2012

Looks like I need a transmission cooler line fitting. Under $10 bucks at autozone. I'll try to pick one up this week.

**BillBoost37** · 01-31-2012

That is a click style line and fitting. That plastic piece keeps the clip from possibly coming off. The clip holds the line in place and they can wiggle a little. The fitting is seperate and can be replaced. IIRC that year is either an 18mm or 19mm. I know the threaded style (older than yours) is 16mm line with 18mm fitting.

You may want to pull the line and confirm it's the fitting. These don't leak all that often.