leak at shift tower assembly?

[jdeight]

I have oil dripping from the bottom of the shift tower assembly. Specifically, it is dipping from the bottom of the cover over the socket at the bottom of the assembly-- part # 12 in this diagram:



It doesn't look like there is a seal behind that part #12. Does socket #24 act as a seal? Or is it likely that gasket #16 needs to be replaced?

I am in the middle of a clutch replacement and debating if I should pull this assembly apart to try to fix this leak or just leave well enough alone.

[djape1977]

there should be no oil in there
only grease

[spider2081]

You might check to see if the transmission has been over filled with fluid. There have been a few posts about people accidentally filling using the upper plug in the side of the transmission. The fill plug is the lower plug If you remove it and oil drains from the transmission its over filled.

[klweimer]

If you already have the tranny out for the clutch replacement, you might as well replace the ball and socket components just above item 12 in the picture. It's much easier when everything is out. There is also item 6 which the diagram calls a bushing, but I was thinking is a seal, on the shift rod between the "wet" side of the transmission and the "dry" side. When I was rebuilding my transmission, it was missing completely. This could also allow oil to migrate back to the shifter area. I agree with spider 2081, a lot of places try to fill the tranny up to the upper access plug, which is waaaay to much.
Kirk

[jdeight]

When I got the car last May, I drained and refilled with Napa's finest GL-1, and thanks to these forums, I'm certain I used the correct fill plug and did not overfill. I noticed the accumulation of oil in the same place before I replaced, so my efforts did not correct the issue.

Is intrusion of oil from the 'wet side' to the 'dry side' a known defect? Has anybody seen this before?

[dmwhiteoak]

It seams as tho every time I have ever taken that plate off it has always had a little oil on top of it. Never more than a few table spoons. And this is between two different cars and three transmissions. I have never had an issue or any problems resulting from it.
Other than oil in my eye.

[KevAndAndi]

This is a known issue. You should be able to find a few threads on this topic. The seal is supposed to keep the dry side dry, but I've been told that it doesn't do its job well for long. I believe the PO of my car used some sealant on part #12 to stop the leaking. There are no drips to speak of on my garage floor, but before I last changed the tranny oil, I noticed that part #12 was wet.

[Akgriffith]

Following this thread as I have the exact issue.

[fiatfactory]

.