torque converter seal

[richard_v6]

what are the main causes for the seal to break down?:inquisiti

[peter thomson]

Overfilling the box is one cause

[Nutter_John]

I would that think that for any of the following reasons the seal would breakdown
Too hot
Too cold - like minus 100
Lack of fish
Polar bear attack
Can't get up from under the ice


Hope this helps i have a included a picture of a new seal to help you :D

uploaded/2306/1186081484.jpg

[Beastlee]

/haz

[Funkstar]

I thought you had totally lost it there for a second John. Had to re-read the question twice.

[Nick VR4]

Wrong fluid could cause a failure contamination possibly causing overheating
To much Fluid seeping into seal

[richard_v6]

Wrong fluid could cause a failure contamination possibly causing overheating
To much Fluid seeping into seal
not a bearing then:thinking:

[richard_v6]

/haz i can see why u are called nutter john:

[Kieran]

not a bearing then:thinking:

Nah, not usually. It often just 'goes'.

[SGHOM]

Nah, not usually. It often just 'goes'.

There is an inherent design fault with VR4 boxes. the oil is not filtered correctly due to the direction of flow, hence the common failure of the TC seal.


http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8173&highlight=gearbox

[richy rich]

^^^^ is correct but the biggest reason it fails is because there was a design floor in the tc seal, witch has now been redesigned.

[Kieran]

There is an inherent design fault with VR4 boxes. the oil is not filtered correctly due to the direction of flow, hence the common failure of the TC seal.

Hmmm.... I agree there does seem to be a recurrent problem with the T/C seal, but this stuff about the ATF flow being wrong?.... I don't buy it, especially when the modified T/C seal clears up the problem....:inquisiti

[ANTHONY]

its shame the the redesigned seal is not a recall issue

[bradc]

so this redesigned seal, it is what mitsi sell now for w5a51's?

[Kieran]

so this redesigned seal, it is what mitsi sell now for w5a51's?

I think so. Maybe Richy can elaborate on the difference between the two?

[richy rich]

I think so. Maybe Richy can elaborate on the difference between the two?
nope

[Kieran]

nope

/duh

[richy rich]

:happy:

[bradc]

lol. Does anyone have the part numbers for the old and new? you could probably find the info in caps

[richy rich]

yes thank you

[richy rich]

MD707575 old
MR967673 new

[Eurospec]

I assume the original seal didnt have the little knurled bits on the inner face that scavenge the oil off the shaft?

Ref the bearings- yes- if the bearing in the nose is gone and the main shaft is not running true, then yes that would chew the seal out, but it would also make a nasty nasty sound and rattle about, so it would be quite evident when you got in there.

Cheers,

Ben.

[richy rich]

I assume the original seal didnt have the little knurled bits on the inner face that scavenge the oil off the shaft?
Ben.
No the main difference is in the back off the seal there is a more substantial stiffening ring and a spring style wire also added.

I unfortunately have the old style 1 in my car they changed the design not long after i changed mine.



Ref the bearings- yes- if the bearing in the nose is gone and the main shaft is not running true, then yes that would chew the seal out, but it would also make a nasty nasty sound and rattle about, so it would be quite evident when you got in there.

Cheers,

Ben.
Yep totally.

[Physician]

I assume the original seal didnt have the little knurled bits on the inner face that scavenge the oil off the shaft?



Aha! ......... Interesting Ben as I'd not noticed the knurled bit on the seal before you mentioned it:


(higher resolution so that it can be seen)


uploaded/850/1186132038.jpg


uploaded/850/1186132070.jpg

[Davezj]

Are these seal easy to change?
I am guessing NOT.

is the fact that they are leaking out the torque converter fluid the reason why some people report the shudder that goes through the car at about 30-40mph under light load on the gearbox/engine.

Cheers dave

[richy rich]

Are these seal easy to change?
I am guessing NOT.

is the fact that they are leaking out the torque converter fluid the reason why some people report the shudder that goes through the car at about 30-40mph under light load on the gearbox/engine.

Cheers dave
Not an easy job look at my write up here, http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/showthread.php?p=274802#post274802
for some reason it is missing but ill have a look at why.

The shudder is not related to the TC leak. Shudder is normally down to the ATF condition and spec.

[fredfour4]

My TC seal leaks badly when used hard but other than that under normal use it hardly drips. I have never had any other probs with the box. I use about a pint of SPIII a month and i do 25000 miles a year in it. It is a time consuming job but not to technical to change the seal. I bought the seal about 3 months ago. I have just got to find the time to do it.
Just like all things if you service it properly it will last.

[richy rich]

My TC seal leaks badly when used hard but other than that under normal use it hardly drips. I have never had any other probs with the box. I use about a pint of SPIII a month and i do 25000 miles a year in it. It is a time consuming job but not to technical to change the seal. I bought the seal about 3 months ago. I have just got to find the time to do it.
Just like all things if you service it properly it will last.
The seal normaly leaks when in 4th/5th gear when the TC locks up.

It is about 10/12 hour job if you can swing a spanner well. look at my how to in my post above.

[Davezj]

Just thought i would ask the 2 poster above are you talking about the same thing, TC, torque converter seal or TC, transfer case seal.

I only ask as the torque converter sits between the engine and auto box buried inside, I don't think you would be able to see the seals leaking. the transfer case sit on the back of auto box infront of the prop shaft which you would be able to see the leaking seal.

It sound like one is talking about transfer case and the other is talking about the torque converter.

Dave

[richy rich]

Tc = torque converter