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The usual M38 oil leak
Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 6:01 am
by henrydes
Am trying again (third time) to stop excessive leaking on my M38. I pulled up the tranny repair info and found where they use a sealed bearing and plugged up a small drain hole. Has anybody who has used this method have had good luck with it..Would like some feed back on this...Thanks
Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 8:28 am
by wesk
The procedure you quoted is for reducing the transfer of fluid between the T-90 trans and D-18 transfer case. Has nothing to do with stopping puddles on the floor.
Where are your puddles coming from?
m38 oil leak
Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2013 5:22 am
by henrydes
Leaks out the hole on the bottom of the bell housing. Clutch and motor is dry , so it must be from the transmission. When I check oil in transmission and transfer box its the transmission that is always low . Sides of both are dry, so its not leaking from loose bolts. The info I was talking about was from the T90 rebuild guide that I got off of your forum. It uses the SKF 6208 bearing and plugs the fourth hole (onthreaded) in the front of the transmission
Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:46 am
by wesk
That is really not normally necessary. If the correct parts are where they belong it should not leak. At any rate you won't be sure what needs to be done until you have the tranny sitting on the work bench.
Don't overlook the pilot bearing while the tranny is out.
Are you positive the oil on the floor is gear oil. I have seen quite a few folks try to stop tranny leanks at the bellhousing just to find that it was a crank rear seal or the rear cam journal welsh plug leaking engine engine oil. When you get the tranny seperated take a close look at the rear of the engine.

m38 oil leak
Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 4:52 am
by henrydes
Tranny is out (third time) Motor uses no oil Tranny needs oil after 200/300 miles I have pulled the tranny more than I have changed the motor oil...I believe the problem is in the transmission. I have taken it to a motor shop that works on old cars to see what he can find. Will look at the back of the motor for leaks when I get home.
Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2016 5:13 pm
by 4x4M38
How does one get an engine oil leak between the tranny/bell housing
and not have any oil coming out of the bell housing drain hole?