s13 redtop sr20det with either engine oil leak or tranny leak

[shaoyang951]

I finally swapped in a redtop since the blacktop i bought my car with was blown. The redtop runs great but after only a few days of daily driving it, my gears would start grinding a small bit especially in 1st and 2nd gear and a little bit in 3rd when im driving. When i am at a stop, i push the clutch pedal down I can feel and hear the tranny grinding already without it being in any gear. This only happens once in awhile if i push the clutch pedal in and out (when in 1st gear taking off and in reverse, working the clutch backing out). Also, whenever it grinds while im working the clutch in 1st gear or reverse, it'll just slip out of that gear. If i try to put it into gear while the tranny is grinding it'll just grind my gears and not let it go into gear. But whenever i work the clutch and it doesn't grind beforehand then it goes into gear just fine. From researching it seems and sounds like a bad clutch release bearing?? Any ideas??? I know my gears and most likely my tranny is still in good shape. Also, I havent checked where the oil or trans fluid leak is coming from yet but ever since it started leaking my tranny started grinding more and more. So could it be because of my bad clutch release bearing that is causing the leak?? Im gonna get under my car and check to see where im leaking from exactly, more updates later. And ideas will be appreciated!! thanks.

[sidedrifts13]

check your trans oil drain and fill plugs, it also can be leaking from the shifter but rare most likely you need fluid and re bleed you clutch line thats what i would do before i post and freak out just get under there double check everything and you should be good to go good luck

[shaoyang951]

Thanks!! Yeah, im gonna get under it and check it tomorrow. I heard it might just be leaking down from my rear valve cover seal too. So is there a chance it might be my clutch release bearing??? Or is it grinding and do this because im losing too much fluid?? I bled my clutch lines before and refilled it and it seems fine but I will bleed it again tomorrow just to be sure. Thanks again.

check your trans oil drain and fill plugs, it also can be leaking from the shifter but rare most likely you need fluid and re bleed you clutch line thats what i would do before i post and freak out just get under there double check everything and you should be good to go good luck

[shaoyang951]

Can the release bearing be slipping or fcking up if my rear main sealing leaks oil into my tranny or onto the bearing??

[shaoyang951]

Okay, i got under my car and checked. I don't see any leaks coming from the rear valve cover, none from any of my hydrolic lines, and none from the drain or fill plug for the tranny. The leak seems to be motor oil and not tranny fluid. I am in the process of taking off my tranny to check my release bearing. I am thinking that it might be my rear main seal leaking oil onto my clutch or release bearing because it looks like oil is leaking out from the small hole right in between where the block and the tranny meets at the bottom. I also heard that a KA24 clutch release bearing will work, can anyone confirm me on this?? I just recently swapped my motor and checked my clutch and pressure plate and both looked fine. I torqued them down to spec too. Help me please! I can't seem to find anyone who is having or had this problem before, thanks.

[Q.Smooth127]

ya that sounds like rear main seal is your leak culprit.
I had that on one of my SR'd coupes. Right by that area where the tranny meets the engine block.
Hopefully thats your only oil leak area.

[shaoyang951]

ya that sounds like rear main seal is your leak culprit.
I had that on one of my SR'd coupes. Right by that area where the tranny meets the engine block.
Hopefully thats your only oil leak area.

Thanks, im hoping thats my only oil leak area also cuz it seems like this SR has been sitting for awhile but it started right up and it runs strong and fine so far. BTW, when your rear main seal leaked, did it do the same thing to your tranny as well?? Im guessing the oil leaking onto the clutch release bearing is making it slip when im trying to work my clutch in gear. Thanks again.

[shaoyang951]

okay, I turned my car on and went under my car while somebody worked the clutch until it started grinding. I pulled the rubber cover for the hydrolic push pin that pushes the lever for the clutch release bearing. For sure the spring for the lever is fine and nothing seems to be loose or wrong when the grinding starts. Can my release bearing still be bad even if it seems and looks like nothing is wrong with it? I used a flashlight to look into the openning, the clutch looks fine and doesn't move and the release bearing looks fine and steady as well. At first i thought it was oil leaking from the rear main seal and onto the release bearing which causes it to slip or grind but it only grinds once in awhile and especially when you're working the clutch only. Help anyone!!?? Should i just pull out the tranny and put in a new release bearing and pray that it goes away!??

[shaoyang951]

Ideas anyone?? im starting to think its either my release/throw out bearing or my tranny in general so im gonna pull out the whole tranny and replace my rear main seal, check my clutch and pressure plate again and put on a new release bearing. Wish me luck!! Bump.