head gaskets, diff axle seal, still have delayed shift to drive

[cptomes]

After getting great response to my request for opinions and information on rear wheel bearings for my 99 Forester, I now have another round of under-car dirtywork.

I noticed that the left diff seal (where the inner cv joint attaches to the flange coming out of the diff housing) had some buildup on it. Sure enough, when we took the car in for a transmission flush (to try to fix a 5-15 sec delay shift into Drive) they told me it needed the seal, as well as having an exterior leak in the left head gasket and a weeping (not dripping yet) leak in the right hg. also need to replace the right cam cover oil seal.

Where would I find the right procedures for a head gasket replacement?

I did a 1985 Renault Alliance top end rebuild after the previous owner ignored the timing belt replacement schedule (and my ex-wife then repeated the error 6 years later), as well as several top end rebuilds of motorcycle engines. So I'm familiar with the general concepts of head rebuilding and replacement.

I can get all the parts locally, and I have a place to work.

These engines look like oversized Goldwing motors (owned one for 5 years) so they don't really scare me. The local indy shop owner told me the only real pita is the tight access to the head because of the wheel wells. It's apparently a shim and bucket valve adjustment, btdt got the bucket of shims and the bill to fix the screwed up clearances...

I figured the cam cover oil seal would be replaced as a matter of process when I did the head gasket on that side.

My previous post worked out so well I thought I'd squawk again and see what responses I got...

I'm still fighting the delayed shift to drive, even after a "power flush" and replacement of the fluid and filter. Supposedly this was also done 20k miles ago when we bought the car, to fix the same problem. Both times the delay was greatly reduced to what I would consider slightly longer than normal, but within two weeks the delay was back again. At the first flush, they claimed to have "rebuilt the valve body" but it obviously had no effect.

***?

The nanny-busybody forum engine starred out w_t_f. You've GOT to be kidding me?!?

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

[ImprezaVA]

The Head Gasket leaking and more than likely a busted CV joint will have nothing to do with your delay in the transmission. Unless the oil you see is coming from the tranny case leaking.

Neutral to Drive shift should take 1.2 seconds or less. Neutral to Reverse shift should take 1.5 seconds or less.

Since, obviously, you aren't falling in this range of time, you have a problem. Could be:
-Low line pressure
-Line pressure duty solenoid
-Reverse clutch for the reverse delay, but you have it for both the "D" shift
and "R" shift so I doubt it's this.
-Transmission Case leaking/cracked. You said you have a leak, just pinpoint exactly where it's coming from. Hopefully the CV boot.

I'd take it somewhere and get a line pressure check, or if you have the gauges, do-it-yourself.

-Charles-

[cptomes]

Originally Posted by ImprezaVA

The Head Gasket leaking and more than likely a busted CV joint will have nothing to do with your delay in the transmission. Unless the oil you see is coming from the tranny case leaking.

Neutral to Drive shift should take 1.2 seconds or less. Neutral to Reverse shift should take 1.5 seconds or less.

Since, obviously, you aren't falling in this range of time, you have a problem. Could be:
-Low line pressure
-Line pressure duty solenoid
-Reverse clutch for the reverse delay, but you have it for both the "D" shift
and "R" shift so I doubt it's this.
-Transmission Case leaking/cracked. You said you have a leak, just pinpoint exactly where it's coming from. Hopefully the CV boot.

I'd take it somewhere and get a line pressure check, or if you have the gauges, do-it-yourself.

-Charles-

Shift delay is only going into D. Going into R is fine.

Leak at rear of car is definitely the left diff seal.

Leak at front of car is definitely head gasket, it's coolant.