Transmission plugs

[KevAndAndi]

All told, as I understand it, there are four transmission plugs. In my case, the upper one (fill, passenger side) requires a 14mm hex key, the lower one (drain, also passenger side) requires a 17mm socket, and the bottom one (center of pan) requires a 12mm hex key; there's also the small square-headed plug toward the rear on the passenger side, for draining the back part of the tranny.

What is the purpose of the bottom plug in the center of the pan? Is it a secondary drain plug? I purchased a 12mm hex key, thinking that it could be used to remove the fill plug, and then discovered that it was too small, so I bought a 14mm hex key that fits. Now, I'm wondering if I need the 12mm key at all. I haven't read about anyone needing to remove the underside plug.

[fiatfactory]

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[GeorgeT]

Be sure you remove the FILL plug first.

[KevAndAndi]

Thanks, guys. Glad I asked. Maybe I misunderstood what I had previously seen and read, but I could swear I saw a photo here with arrows pointing to fill and drain plugs on the side only. Anyway, I now see the situation clearly when looking back at this post's photo:

http://www.fiatspider.com/f15/viewtopic ... fill+drain

I guess I'll still need the hex key for the plug way up high because it looks like it has been molested and I might need to tighten it.

Our car had been virtually leak free when we got it a year ago, but now there's oil all over the tranny. I'll be draining and replacing the oil and replacing gaskets.

[KevAndAndi]

Here's one post that gave me the wrong idea about the fill plug:

http://www.fiatspider.com/f15/viewtopic ... 105#p73405

Not sure if anyone corrected him in the many pages of comments that followed.

[Edit: He was corrected, conclusively, with documentary evidence.]

Here's another guy who had the wrong idea. He was corrected by Csaba, but it's not clear if he heeded the advice or went on his merry way messing with the wrong plug:

http://www.fiatspider.com/f15/viewtopic ... ug#p204901

[GeorgeT]

Our car had been virtually leak free when we got it a year ago, but now there's oil all over the tranny. I'll be draining and replacing the oil and replacing gaskets.

Are you sure it's transmission oil and not engine oil? I had an engine oil leak that kept the transmission "wet".

[KevAndAndi]

Our car had been virtually leak free when we got it a year ago, but now there's oil all over the tranny. I'll be draining and replacing the oil and replacing gaskets.

Are you sure it's transmission oil and not engine oil? I had an engine oil leak that kept the transmission "wet".

I don't think so, because there's oil way in the back and way up high on the transmission. Looks to be coming from wherever there's a gasket. However, I'll keep an open mind. What was the precise source of your leak?

[GeorgeT]

What was the precise source of your leak?

Rear engine seal.

[KevAndAndi]

I'm now suspecting that my leak may be due to, or exacerbated by, an overfill situation, as the upper plug shows evidence of having been removed.

http://www.fiatspider.com/f15/viewtopic ... 9&start=15

[GeorgeT]

I'm now suspecting that my leak may be due to, or exacerbated by, an overfill situation, as the upper plug shows evidence of having been removed.

http://www.fiatspider.com/f15/viewtopic ... 9&start=15

It's really hard to overfill the transmission: when the fluid is at the correct level any additional just runs out. Now you may a fill plug that is damaged and not sealing well.

[KevAndAndi]

I'm now suspecting that my leak may be due to, or exacerbated by, an overfill situation, as the upper plug shows evidence of having been removed.

http://www.fiatspider.com/f15/viewtopic ... 9&start=15

It's really hard to overfill the transmission: when the fluid is at the correct level any additional just runs out. Now you may a fill plug that is damaged and not sealing well.

I'm actually referring to the plug high on the transmission - the one that is not a fill plug. If that one is used, and the oil filled to that level, then there would be an overfill situation. I plan to remove it and replace it using high-temperature sealant in the threads. Then it should not be touched again. I will check gaskets as well as the "real" fill plug and the drain plug to see if those are leak sources.

[KevAndAndi]

Update:

1) I did not have an overfill situation. About one quart came out of the main drain hole. A bit more came out when I removed the small rear drain plug.

2) I found a couple of tiny chunks of metal on the magnetic plug - nothing terrible. The gears look OK to my untrained eye. Some minor wear.

3) The pan gasket was in bad shape. No surprise it was leaking from the bolt holes. I'm soaking the pan and scrubbing off the crusty residual paper.

4) The speedo drive was dripping oil, as well. I removed the knurled nut, and what do you know? There was no seal inside. This seems to be a common situation. I've ordered one.

5) I removed the high plug that is NOT a fill plug, put high temperature sealant on the threads, and replaced it. I tightened it gently with my now-useless hex key, and now it shall be left alone.

6) Once I get everything back together, I'll clean it and spray it with Gold Bond powder and see if there's a third leak source (and a fourth, and a fifth...).