[solidsnake40]

Hello all, I was hoping someone could help me Identify the possible source of this leak. Its coming to the bottom of the transmission pan (blue area) it's not motor oil I already confirmed. Could this be a bad seal? Also could anyone tell me if the near the top right (red area) bolt is supposed to look like that? I took it to the mechanic almost a year ago for a fuel pump change and it looks half unscrewed... Car is around 98,000 miles and hasn't had a flush.

 

[DrivenDaily]

I have a 2011 with the 3.6L, so the trans could be different in some respects. I have that same bolt and I use it to drain the trans fluid.

 

[campb292]

I have no idea on the blue circled area. Being the side of the transmission closest to the engine I'd guess engine oil but if you have already tested it seems like that's a no. The red circled plug is normal for the 6T40 drain plug... it sticks out. It is usually torqued to 12 Nm and you can fit 2 flat pennies between the case and head of the bolt.

 

[Drunken Elvis]

My crystal ball says that is engine oil or some coolant.Main seal leak?
The "drain plug" appears higher than a large portion of the transmission. Could be just the pictures, but doesn't look like it would drain the entire pan.
Trans fluid is red, dark brown if over used.

 

[solidsnake40]

My crystal ball says that is engine oil or some coolant.Main seal leak?
The "drain plug" appears higher than a large portion of the transmission. Could be just the pictures, but doesn't look like it would drain the entire pan.
Trans fluid is red, dark brown if over used.

Going back to the liquid it smelled odorless I remember wiping it with a paper towel and it was brown or black I did change the engine oil recently so it could be oil judging from the color... I guess I'll have to do some dye testing but thank you.

 

[solidsnake40]

I have a 2011 with the 3.6L, so the trans could be different in some respects. I have that same bolt and I use it to drain the trans fluid.

View attachment 73553

Thanks, I know these Malibu's have weird engineering to them I'm not used to seeing bolts like that

 

[solidsnake40]

I have no idea on the blue circled area. Being the side of the transmission closest to the engine I'd guess engine oil but if you have already tested it seems like that's a no. The red circled plug is normal for the 6T40 drain plug... it sticks out. It is usually torqued to 12 Nm and you can fit 2 flat pennies between the case and head of the bolt.

I mean I remember I did a really bad oil change about a year ago or so and spilt a lot down on the side of the engine bay even the mechanics thought I had a leak at some point... It could be that I still have oil from that still... It doesn't smell like used oil just odorless I'll have to do some more testing.

 

[DrivenDaily]

That small stain in the image doesn't look like much of anything, but it could be how the camera is presenting it vs how you see it and feel it.

You might try scrubbing it off or using a chemical cleaner, and then watch it for further staining.

Do you get any drips onto the pavement when you park?

 

[solidsnake40]

That small stain in the image doesn't look like much of anything, but it could be how the camera is presenting it vs how you see it and feel it.

You might try scrubbing it off or using a chemical cleaner, and then watch it for further staining.

Do you get any drips onto the pavement when you park?

Sorry for the delayed update but it seems like it could be an axle seal leak I finally scrubbed the area and the transmission and oil pan look clean and no leaks. Just some dampness around the axle area... It wasn't really dripping much i only noticed it when I was changing my brakes on the car that it was wet

 

[DrivenDaily]

If that's brake fluid, then most rubber items it touches will swell and get spongy. Check your brake fluid level as well as your brake line connections.

 

[solidsnake40]

If that's brake fluid, then most rubber items it touches will swell and get spongy. Check your brake fluid level as well as your brake line connections.

Thanks again I never thought of that I’ll keep verifying I can never really be too sure because I really wasn’t the best at pouring fluids without a funnel… i do remember spilling brake fluid near the reservoir similar to the oil… it wasn’t much but I wouldn’t be surprised if it caused it to stick down there. I did check and it is still at full capacity. I cleaned up the trans and it’s super clean I have to replace the downstream 02 sensor soon so I’ll post in this thread when I find out for sure.