transmission filter leak/high trans pressure

[evilavatar]

So I had posted a couple of months ago about having a transmission that had lost reverse and basically killed my car. I have trouble shot the issue and replaced the valve body. Since replacing the valve body I am having a serious issue with getting an oil filter that doesn't leak and spray oil all over the place. At first I thought the issue was the transmission cover and gasket. I went through several different types of gaskets and materials. After finally settling on a different gasket material I had a very good gasket that is sealing well with no leaks, but I have blow through 2 transmission filters. Anyone with suggestions, they would be greatly appreciated. My Saturn is a 2000 sl1 with a 4 speed automatic (1.9 l dual overhead cam 4 cyl).

[ShawnV]

Check the transmission to make sure the old O-ring is not stuck on there still. Also, remove the magnet if it's present.

[bluesl2]

You may have to have a pressure test done, the only time I've seen the transaxle oil filter seals blow out and leak was when the pressure regulator spring broke in the valvebody causing the pressure to go high.

[evilavatar]

Originally Posted by ShawnV

Check the transmission to make sure the old O-ring is not stuck on there still. Also, remove the magnet if it's present.

which magnet do you mean? also where would i find the regulator spring? I have the old valve body and i know that the pressure wasn't an issue on that so I can steal parts from it to make the new valve body work.

[evilavatar]

Originally Posted by evilavatar

which magnet do you mean? also where would i find the regulator spring? I have the old valve body and i know that the pressure wasn't an issue on that so I can steal parts from it to make the new valve body work.

ok so I figured out which magnet you meant, I had no idea they had used a magnetic spacer between the transmission and the filter. I had dry fitted my filter without the seal to see if I just had gotten the wrong size filter twice and the magnet came off with the filter. It appears this may have resolved the issue though I had a warped filter that leaked the second time I started it, but I am cautiously optimistic. It would cut my gas consumption by about half not having to drive the wifes van every day and I can't afford to replace the Saturn right now. thanks for the help, I'll post back after my drive to work tomorrow. I may give it a good test run tonight but I am not sure if I could handle it if it blows a seal and dies today.

[evilavatar]

Originally Posted by evilavatar

ok so I figured out which magnet you meant, I had no idea they had used a magnetic spacer between the transmission and the filter. I had dry fitted my filter without the seal to see if I just had gotten the wrong size filter twice and the magnet came off with the filter. It appears this may have resolved the issue though I had a warped filter that leaked the second time I started it, but I am cautiously optimistic. It would cut my gas consumption by about half not having to drive the wifes van every day and I can't afford to replace the Saturn right now. thanks for the help, I'll post back after my drive to work tomorrow. I may give it a good test run tonight but I am not sure if I could handle it if it blows a seal and dies today.

So I posted this elsewhere but it is not coming up so I will post it here too, a mod can delete it if I am not supposed to. After getting the leaking transmission oil filter fixed I attempted to start the car and go for a drive. the car started fine and no oil exploded everywhere, but the car basically acted like the transmission linkage was not there. It came with all the parts and I was told I did not need to take anything off the old valve body. The linkage connector is pushed through the valve body rod and it moves with the gear shift. Did I miss a step or do something wrong?