Converter "leak"

Sam Capizzi Jr · 02-29-2016, 09:51 PM

Has anyone had an issue where the front hub of a converter leaks. I was getting drops on the ground after a run. Took converter out and no cracks on the hub where it goes in trans. The next morning I had fluid all over and it was coming from front hub (crank side).

Mark Yacavone · 02-29-2016, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Capizzi Jr

Has anyone had an issue where the front hub of a converter leaks. I was getting drops on the ground after a run. Took converter out and no cracks on the hub where it goes in trans. The next morning I had fluid all over and it was coming from front hub (crank side).

Sam, You would have more than just drops if the hub welding was cracked.
You didn't happen to remove and replace the front pump seal and inspect the bushing, did you?

Sam Capizzi Jr · 02-29-2016, 10:32 PM

Are you talking the front pump seal on the transmission.. If so yes when I changed converters to my spare I did. New converter has no leaks. When i left converter on bench with fluid in it the next morning it had leaked out. Its coming from the front of the converter. Where the front hub and case come together.

Mark Yacavone · 02-29-2016, 10:48 PM

Very rare, but entirely possible.
Does it have an anti ballooning plate? I ' ve seen leaks under them, where it took a while to get out to the outside.
You could rig up a cap and plug deal and run about 30 psi regulated air into it, and then check it with soapy water spray.
Any local rebuilder could make a welding pass around the hub with out disturbing anything else as long as the hub is still concentric.
You would want to drill an 1/8" hole at the outside edge near to the main weld seam.
Stand it up on it's side for a few days, then flush it out with safety kleen or mineral spirits, then blow it out good.Just mig up the hole when you're done.

Sam Capizzi Jr · 02-29-2016, 11:08 PM

Thanks for the help mark. Ill mark the leak and get it welded and Dad can get his spare back 😂😂

John Dinkel · 03-01-2016, 12:45 PM

Sam , I had an old B&M converter that leaked. Back when I didn't have much money I brazed it and it worked. The old converter had a fiber washer and most newer converters have Torrington bearings. Probably best to send it in for repair. Good luck.

Mike Pearson · 03-01-2016, 01:29 PM

We had one that had a leak where the snout was welded to the case. We sent it back to ATI for repair. No problems since.

Eman · 03-06-2016, 12:16 PM

GM used to provide dealers with a pressure ck fixture. It went around the converter and held a plug in the snout so you could pressure test a converter. If I was pressure testing I would have something hold the plug in, like holding it with your hydraulic press or make a fixture. Many years back at a dealer I worked at they suspected a leaky converter. We didn't have the tool so 2 techs pressurize the converter with air just holding the plug, they did regulate it but it was full of fluid. We thought the converter exploded and cut them up. Instead what happened was they plug blew out and covered both of them in trans fluid.

02-29-2016, 09:51 PM	#1
Sam Capizzi Jr Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Rochester NY Posts: 125 Likes: 21 Liked 16 Times in 4 Posts	Converter "leak" Has anyone had an issue where the front hub of a converter leaks. I was getting drops on the ground after a run. Took converter out and no cracks on the hub where it goes in trans. The next morning I had fluid all over and it was coming from front hub (crank side). __________________ Sam Capizzi Jr. 1301 SS/AS 93 Dodge Daytona R/SA 73 Dodge Dart

02-29-2016, 10:32 PM	#3
Sam Capizzi Jr Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Rochester NY Posts: 125 Likes: 21 Liked 16 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Converter "leak" Are you talking the front pump seal on the transmission.. If so yes when I changed converters to my spare I did. New converter has no leaks. When i left converter on bench with fluid in it the next morning it had leaked out. Its coming from the front of the converter. Where the front hub and case come together. __________________ Sam Capizzi Jr. 1301 SS/AS 93 Dodge Daytona R/SA 73 Dodge Dart

02-29-2016, 10:48 PM	#4
Mark Yacavone Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Miles From Nowhere Posts: 7,475 Likes: 2,653 Liked 4,575 Times in 1,733 Posts	Re: Converter "leak" Very rare, but entirely possible. Does it have an anti ballooning plate? I ' ve seen leaks under them, where it took a while to get out to the outside. You could rig up a cap and plug deal and run about 30 psi regulated air into it, and then check it with soapy water spray. Any local rebuilder could make a welding pass around the hub with out disturbing anything else as long as the hub is still concentric. You would want to drill an 1/8" hole at the outside edge near to the main weld seam. Stand it up on it's side for a few days, then flush it out with safety kleen or mineral spirits, then blow it out good.Just mig up the hole when you're done. __________________ We are lucky we don't get as much Government as we pay for..... Will Rogers

02-29-2016, 11:08 PM	#5
Sam Capizzi Jr Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Rochester NY Posts: 125 Likes: 21 Liked 16 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Converter "leak" Thanks for the help mark. Ill mark the leak and get it welded and Dad can get his spare back 😂😂 __________________ Sam Capizzi Jr. 1301 SS/AS 93 Dodge Daytona R/SA 73 Dodge Dart

03-01-2016, 12:45 PM	#6
John Dinkel Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pinckney, Michigan Posts: 503 Likes: 358 Liked 234 Times in 63 Posts	Re: Converter "leak" Sam , I had an old B&M converter that leaked. Back when I didn't have much money I brazed it and it worked. The old converter had a fiber washer and most newer converters have Torrington bearings. Probably best to send it in for repair. Good luck. __________________ John Dinkel 3295 STK

03-01-2016, 01:29 PM	#7
Mike Pearson VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,330 Likes: 548 Liked 1,656 Times in 507 Posts	Re: Converter "leak" We had one that had a leak where the snout was welded to the case. We sent it back to ATI for repair. No problems since. __________________ Mike Pearson 2485 SS

03-06-2016, 12:16 PM	#8
Eman Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: E TN Posts: 444 Likes: 14 Liked 109 Times in 63 Posts	Re: Converter "leak" GM used to provide dealers with a pressure ck fixture. It went around the converter and held a plug in the snout so you could pressure test a converter. If I was pressure testing I would have something hold the plug in, like holding it with your hydraulic press or make a fixture. Many years back at a dealer I worked at they suspected a leaky converter. We didn't have the tool so 2 techs pressurize the converter with air just holding the plug, they did regulate it but it was full of fluid. We thought the converter exploded and cut them up. Instead what happened was they plug blew out and covered both of them in trans fluid.