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manual transmission drain plug leaking

6K views 6 replies 5 participants last post by  NICHOCLI  
#1 ·
Howdy y'all,

I have not been on the forum lately, as I've been driving my tracker, instead of working on it.

But, ever since I've changed the trans oil, I've had a small weeping drip leak. Now that's it's warmer weather (and I'm also driving it longer distances), it's leaking faster.

I had used a blue thread lock, but it obviously failed. I was thinking of using PLUMBERS TAPE ("teflon" tape, thread tape, or whatever you want to call it).

I did a search, and some other forums say don't others say to use it... I don't know if it matters what type of oil it's sealing against (for the ones who say don't use it)... I read here to try it... anyway...

Has anybody here ACTUALLY USED thread tape on their trackick 5 speed drain / fill plug? Anybody's leaked afterwards? At $15 qt, plus tax and time, I don't want to do it yet again!

Thanks
 
#2 ·
Some people have had good luck with Teflon tape (be sure its only on the threads and not inside the case), but I didn't. I also tried pipe thread sealant from the building supply store without success. I believe the FSM calls for Permatex thread sealer. I'm still chasing my leak, but I'm beginning to believe it is leaking elsewhere and only appears to be leaking from the drain plug.
 
#3 ·
I'm almost positive mine is coming from the drain plug. It did not leak before I changed the oil, and now it does.

I plan on cleaning mine off just to be completely positive.

Thanks for letting me know.

BTW, do you feel that you wrapped enough tape around when you did yours?

The first time I changed it, I put in the napa conventional gear oil that kickfix likes, but I noticed bad results shift wise, but NO LEAKS.

I changed to lucas synthetic, used the same blue thread lock, but got a leak. It's just too expensive to end up with a leak again.
 
#4 · (Edited)
I've used teflon thread seal tape for years with no problems - like Hot Tommy says - make sure it's on the threads and not in the case.

And for the folks who say not to use it - are you going to listen them or are you going to listen to the vehicle manufacturers - I'm not saying Suzuki says to use it, but there are other manufacturers who do.
 
#6 ·
My only fear with thread tape is how it would handle high temps.

If people are successful with it then it would be easier and cleaner than the sealants.

I used a sealant and are doing fine with that but knowing that people used thread tape I would have gone with that as the process is much more simple and much cheaper.

You can't drain it into a clean container and reuse the fluid?
 
#7 · (Edited)
I don't use teflon tape. The DOT. frown on its use on some heavy truck applications so I use #2 permatex on threads for oil and fuel and use tru-blue thread sealer on air and water.

my $.02

Cliff