Question on Transmission Breathers

[rown4au]

I just pulled the TKO out of my 98 cobra track car to change the clutch. Complete nightmare getting it out but that is another story...

The transmission has had a slow drip on it since I got the car in Sept 11 but it was never obvious where it was coming from. After taking a brief look at it tonight the only place I could see fluid coming from was the breather on the top of the transmission.
As a result I am thinking about replacing the breather with a fitting to run a catch can or hose to a higher breather to avoid this in the future. Has anyone done something like this on their transmission and has a good suggestion for this?

[Tommy Gun]

Some guys just run a line up through their console to a passenger side catch can. Shouldn't take anything fancy.

My trans, a TR3650 doesn't have an accessible vent, no way to connect a hose, etc to it, so I just have to be sure not to overfill it at all.

[rown4au]

I know that it was not overfilled because I checked it before I ever put it on the track and so did the shop that inspected it for me because we discussed the leak and if it was possibly coming from the breather.

Running something into the passenger compartment is one of the things I was considering but that seems like it might be a fire hazard?

[Carnut]

I know that it was not overfilled because I checked it before I ever put it on the track and so did the shop that inspected it for me because we discussed the leak and if it was possibly coming from the breather.

Running something into the passenger compartment is one of the things I was considering but that seems like it might be a fire hazard?

You could put a small catch can on the fire wall. You shouldn't need much.

[Birdman]

You could put a small catch can on the fire wall. You shouldn't need much.

Exactly, that is what I was thinking as well. Much safer place.

[Tommy Gun]

Sounds weird in the passenger compartment, but that is where I see most of them.

It's a racer thing I guess. :shades:

Also, I have thought before that my fluid level was low enough, but knowing now that it expands big time I make sure that it is definitely low.

I got pulled off the track once because the fluid dripped down and hit my exhaust a couple times at a particular hard corner.

[rown4au]

The odd thing is the tranny was never overfilled I checked and so did the shop that went over it after the differential issue. Its a long way from the fill plug to the top of the tranny where the breather is located but I guess it is more a case of fluid sloshing around in the corners and being thrown around the case by the internals.

[68fastback]

...does it use a traditional [hypoid] gear oil or an automatic trans fluid like Mercon-V? ...just curious since many manual trans now use the latter and I'm wondering if that fuid tends to atomize more at high gear speeds (dunno). If it takes the latter, I wonder if using an upgraded trans fluid -- like many trans build shops now use in their custom TR6060s -- might help.

[rown4au]

...does it use a traditional [hypoid] gear oil or an automatic trans fluid like Mercon-V? ...just curious since many manual trans now use the latter and I'm wondering if that fuid tends to atomize more at high gear speeds (dunno). If it takes the latter, I wonder if using an upgraded trans fluid -- like many trans build shops now use in their custom TR6060s -- might help.

In the manual I downloaded it says to use GM syncromesh transmission fluid or optional automatic transmission fluid Dextron II.

I also took a closer look at the transmission tonight and it looks like the breather is a pressed in fitting so changing it to a barbed fitting I can run a breather tube off of is not as easy as I would have hoped.

[68fastback]

Jaime, is it the A33 "vent" part on page 4 and 5 HERE (http://ttcautomotive.com/english/onlineorder/pdf/TRPM-TKO-0711_145.pdf) (TKO service diagram/parts PDF)? I was trying to see what it looked like thinking maybe you could flare it with a flaring tool but it looks like a removeable part (if that's it). TTC's number in Michigan is 800-401-9866 ...maybe they have some tech insight on controlling/catching the blow-off?

Dunno if some of these other TTC/Tremec PDFs HERE (http://ttcautomotive.com/English/onlineorder/product.asp) may also be usefull? Seems the TKO can be configured many different ways but the core pieces are mostly the same, I think.

[rown4au]

Jaime, is it the A33 "vent" part on page 4 and 5 HERE (http://ttcautomotive.com/english/onlineorder/pdf/TRPM-TKO-0711_145.pdf) (TKO service diagram/parts PDF)? I was trying to see what it looked like thinking maybe you could flare it with a flaring tool but it looks like a removeable part (if that's it). TTC's number in Michigan is 800-401-9866 ...maybe they have some tech insight on controlling/catching the blow-off?

Dunno if some of these other TTC/Tremec PDFs HERE (http://ttcautomotive.com/English/onlineorder/product.asp) may also be usefull? Seems the TKO can be configured many different ways but the core pieces are mostly the same, I think.

yes that seems to be the vent, I have a pic of it but I haven't uploaded it from the camera yet, will try to post it later. figure I give ttc a call and ask one of their tech guys and see what they say.

[68fastback]

Cool ...

...I also found the TKO service manual (http://ttcautomotive.com/English/onlineorder/pdf/TRSM-TKO-0711-R1_3.pdf)...missed it at first. Check the bottom of pg-42 (symptom: trans leaks) ...one rememdy is check the vent for free-breathing ...could it be partly clogged from lots of dusty track use and causing it to 'spit' fluid?

[rown4au]

Thats what I have printed out sitting on the workbench as I muddle my way through this along with the Ford Service manual and a Chilton's manual. Too bad the Transmission, clutch, flywheel, exhaust, K-member, and nearly everything else isn't stock!!!

I seemed to get everything apart OK, and I bagged everything in labeled ziploc bags as it came off so I know which bolt went to what and tried to take pics along the way. The question is can I get it all back together... and working!

[68fastback]

...you are brave!! ...would scare the heck out of me!

I just edited post-12 ...re pg 42 -- clogged vent leak symptom?

[Tommy Gun]

I can do it, I can put anything together.


.

[68fastback]

lol - but you probably can ...I remember when you were 'reassembling' the Shelby :yikes: ...you rock!! :banana:

[Tommy Gun]

That was the Track Turd.

Changing timing chains in something I had no clue about whatsoever. I was amazed it started. :rofl3:

.

[68fastback]

That was the Track Turd.

Changing timing chains in something I had no clue about whatsoever. I was amazed it started. :rofl3:

.

:wtg:

I thought you got some reconstructive practice on a red car too :shades:

[Tommy Gun]

Only things I've done on the GT500 is Detector install, Suspension installs, TVS install and Radiator/intercooler installs.

[Tommy Gun]

...and alternator. :banghead:

[rown4au]

This is a pic of the breather, and yes unfortunately it is pressed into the case so I don't see an easy way to remove it so no way to put a fitting in and run a hose up higher unless someone has a tip or trick for me. I am going to clean everything up tomorrow and try running it with synthetic fluid and see if that handles the temps better and avoids the spitting issue.

(edit) Ok that is weird, it was on my post last night after I submitted it and I saw it in the thread afterwards. I have reattached it here now8400

[rown4au]

Something I came across on a another forum mentioned that a common issue was the breather cap getting jammed down when the transmission is installed too tightly against the tunnel.

That has me wondering if that might be happening in my case. I am going to do some measuring but if that seems to be the issue, would it hurt anything if I cut in an access plate in the transmission tunnel (like 4 x 4" or so) and then covered it with a sheet metal plate screwed to the floor? Thinking that would give it a little more room if that is the problem and I could also open it up after a track session and take a look to see if is where my issue is coming from.

[Joe G]

This is a pic of the breather, and yes unfortunately it is pressed into the case so I don't see an easy way to remove it so no way to put a fitting in and run a hose up higher unless someone has a tip or trick for me. I am going to clean everything up tomorrow and try running it with synthetic fluid and see if that handles the temps better and avoids the spitting issue.


I don't see a pic here....

[68fastback]

Something I came across on a another forum mentioned that a common issue was the breather cap getting jammed down when the transmission is installed too tightly against the tunnel.

That has me wondering if that might be happening in my case. I am going to do some measuring but if that seems to be the issue, would it hurt anything if I cut in an access plate in the transmission tunnel (like 4 x 4" or so) and then covered it with a sheet metal plate screwed to the floor? Thinking that would give it a little more room if that is the problem and I could also open it up after a track session and take a look to see if is where my issue is coming from.

Jaime, depending on the existing shape of the tunnel, if you only need an additional 1/2 inch orso maybe a large ball-peen hammer or a small hand sledge might do the trick.