In need of help diagnosing my slightly leaking transmission (YS1). Motor is a B16a and all the searches on google i've done in the past week have pointed me either in the input shaft seal or differential bearing direction. I think one you can just take off the axle and replace and the other you have to crack the case open. Either way, I would like to diagnose the thing so that I can order the correct part. Attached are some pictures of it cleaned up, and then of it with a slight drip. Thanks in advance.

Non-Drip


3 hours later

 

Clean the area up real good. Drive it. Look for the exact leak location. Clean it up again this time using brake cleaner to remove any and all oil and grease, rtv it. Let it cure for a day before driving. Drive it, check for leaks.

It's likely the leak is simply grease coming from the cv joint though.

 

I don't think the input shaft seal would be leaking from that location anyways. That would leak more under the clutch cover, since it'd drip down the inner bell housing until it hit the clutch cover.

 

Through the boot? Its not clicking and I can see any tears in the boot of the axle. There isnt any more play in the axle to tranny than their should be and there is still a slight leak.

 

It looked to me like that boot was leaking but if its not then ignore that part of my post.

 

The leak that is present is an oil leak from the output seal of the transmission. If it were an axle grease leak, the grease would be evident, which clearly is not the case.

Remove the axle, inspect the axle sealing area, and use a Honda seal. If your leak continues after this, you have a differential bearing problem preventing the seal from operating correctly.

When did this problem start? More information == more solutions.

 

That sounds like a great starting point. The car was bought and it wasnt something I noticed immediately after inspecting the car before purchase.

I went ahead and cleaned around the area and drove the car around. Made sure it was clean and dry so that I could feel around for any wetness. It does seem that after bringing it back in, there is slight dampness just underneath the axle. The leak is very minute with just a drop or two each night. Thanks, this could probably be the fix. Just hope its not the differential bearing as I am not experienced enough to crack a transmission open.

 

This may come off as an ******* comment, but it's not intended to be.

You say you're not experienced enough to crack a tranny open? Learn! Cars are supposed to be fun (if that is why you're here). I didn't know how to do anything until I did it. Yknow?

 

I love browsing these forums among others about learning to do anything from basic maintenance to full on swaps. There is a first time for everything, im hoping this isnt one of them. I really appreciate your honesty, cheers.

 

I have the same exact leak on my transmission, and I have replaced the axle seal twice in the last 10k miles and the leak is still there. But mainly when I'm on an incline.

 

Might be looking at something a bit more serious. Hoping I have better luck.

 

It's really hard to get aftermarket seals to work properly in axle seals but this is due to the fact that they don't come pregreased like Honda seals. Nobody adds grease to the lip like you're supposed to and as soon as you get moving and the seal is dry it doesn't wear in properly and it slightly tears and leaks.

Your seal may just be old/original.

As oil slips out of the leak it gets bounced/slung around and all over.

 

Thanks for checking in. I already ordered the seal, just waiting to hear from honda.