[Sten2000]

2000 S10 looking at the picture the front of the truck is to your left. The piece I’m trying to identify is right above the exhaust pipe and right before the transmission. It almost looks like a thin round piece of metal that you could pop out with a screwdriver. It appears to be leaking out of this spot.

 

[Rhotpursuit]

It's an inspection cover.

 

[Sten2000]

It's an inspection cover.

Ok, is it possible something can be leaking out of it, and can I take off? And what could one be inspecting? Thanks

 

[Rhotpursuit]

If your rear main seal, oil pan, or transmission is leaking, it can drip from there. You can pop it out and take a look at what's going on in there.

 

[MrUnknown]

Ok, is it possible something can be leaking out of it, and can I take off? And what could one be inspecting? Thanks

If it is red fluid it is the front main seal on the transmission, otherwise it is oil and in most cases I have seen with GM trucks it is almost always the rear main seal.

And if it is the front main seal or the rear main seal the transmission has to come out so depending on the mileage and condition of the vehicle and how bad the leak is you may choose to just live with it or look into a product called AT-205 Reseal which thousands of people have success with look at the reviews, read up on it and make your decision from after that or call around and see what a local shop will charge you to do the job.

ATP Automotive AT-205 Re-Seal

ATP Automotive AT-205 Re-Seal

atpautomotive.com

 

[Sten2000]

If it is red fluid it is the front main seal on the transmission, otherwise it is oil and in most cases I have seen with GM trucks it is almost always the rear main seal.

And if it is the front main seal or the rear main seal the transmission has to come out so depending on the mileage and condition of the vehicle and how bad the leak is you may choose to just live with it or look into a product called AT-205 Reseal which thousands of people have success with look at the reviews, read up on it and make your decision from after that or call around and see what a local shop will charge you to do the job.

ATP Automotive AT-205 Re-Seal

ATP Automotive AT-205 Re-Seal

atpautomotive.com

Yeah definitely gonna have to live with this one!! I am going to look into the AT-205 Reseal though. Thanks for the answers

 

[MrUnknown]

Yeah definitely gonna have to live with this one!! I am going to look into the AT-205 Reseal though. Thanks for the answers

Well you need to verify the issue first and how bad it is before deciding to live with it. Even AT-205 isn't going to work on an extremely bad seal that is just puking oil or transmission fluid. It also won't work on an oil pan gasket leak.

Oh and just to add on to this, if it is a rear main engine seal you may also consider switching to a high mileage oil which has seal conditioners in it. I personally have not had any luck going this route but other people have.

 

[Firetender]

Well at least you still have a cover on yours, no idea what happened to mine.
And while on topic, what can I use to cover that hole up? Not sure if it matters but it would make feel better.

 

[MrUnknown]

Well at least you still have a cover on yours, no idea what happened to mine.
And while on topic, what can I use to cover that hole up? Not sure if it matters but it would make feel better. View attachment 348182

It does matter especially if you live in a dusty environment as dust can wipe out the seal.

And what can you use to cover it? a new inspection cover.

I believe it is ACDelco Part #24205900 maybe someone else can confirm.

 

[Firetender]

It does matter especially if you live in a dusty environment as dust can wipe out the seal.

And what can you use to cover it? a new inspection cover.

I believe it is ACDelco Part #24205900 maybe someone else can confirm.

Thank you very much, ordering that tomorrow for sure.

 

[Firetender]

It does matter especially if you live in a dusty environment as dust can wipe out the seal.

And what can you use to cover it? a new inspection cover.

I believe it is ACDelco Part #24205900 maybe someone else can confirm.

That is the delco part number, bit autozone is having a hard time finding it or understanding what it is. But maybe I'm saying it wrong. Isnt it a torque converter inspection cover?

 

[Mostizzle]

Any reputable trans mechanic will tell you to steer clear of any type of seal conditioners. It causes them to swell, plasticize and then eventually deteriorate. I wonder what @Tranzman s thoughts are about them.

 

[MrUnknown]

That is the delco part number, bit autozone is having a hard time finding it or understanding what it is. But maybe I'm saying it wrong. Isnt it a torque converter inspection cover?

I recommend you just order it from RockAuto, they carry it as GM Genuine same part number.

 

[MrUnknown]

Any reputable trans mechanic will tell you to steer clear of any type of seal conditioners. It causes them to swell, plasticize and then eventually deteriorate. I wonder what @Tranzman s thoughts are about them.

For engines, high mileage oil will not over swell seals.

For transmissions, engines, etc AT-205 Reseal has been used by thousands of people with success and ATP Automotive the manufacturer claims it does not over swell. And Not only can you use this stuff for seal issues but you can use it on suspension components and it helps out bushings, boots, etc it does not cause them to become brittle.

In most cases I would agree steer clear from seal conditioners. But some do work but always if you have the money do the job correctly and replace the seal but if the vehicle is old or on its last leg and you don't intend to keep it much longer or you are simply in a tight money situation then why not when it comes to proven products.

Everyone should always do their research and decide for themselves as I always say.

Just to add, the sealers that over swell and eventually cause seals to become brittle contain petroleum distillates which AT-205 Reseal does not contain.

 

[Salty Crusty]

Clean the entire area well with brake cleaner. Apply the biggest maxipad you can, pad facing the inspection cover. Use Gorilla duct tape to hold it in place. Swap with each oil change.

 

[MrUnknown]

Clean the entire area well with brake cleaner. Apply the biggest maxipad you can, pad facing the inspection cover. Use Gorilla duct tape to hold it in place. Swap with each oil change.

I've heard and seen some red neck stuff in my life but this one about tops it but might work lol.

 

[Salty Crusty]

I can promise you it'll work with no spots on the garage floor.
Pulling every thing apart to fix a slow leak on a seal is a ton of work. This isn't. Since I always change my own oil, I don't have to worry about what anybody else thinks. I'm sure you'd get more than a raised eyebrow at an oil change joint!

 

[MrUnknown]

I can promise you it'll work with no spots on the garage floor.
Pulling every thing apart to fix a slow leak on a seal is a ton of work. This isn't. Since I always change my own oil, I don't have to worry about what anybody else thinks. I'm sure you'd get more than a raised eyebrow at an oil change joint!

Me personally if I have an oil leak that doesn't result in excessive oil loss between oil changes I just ignore it I glance down at the oil pressure gauge often anyway. However my oil cooler lines are seeping and that is something I am not going to risk so those will be getting changed out soon.

If oil ends up on the frame or suspension components to me it is just free rust protection, actually that is an old school method people used to do is put motor oil on frames.

If I am not mistaken in the case of 2WD S10's like mine you can't even remove the oil pan without pulling the engine and also if I am not mistaken you have to pull the oil pan to do the rear main seal so it can get very costly.

 

[Mostizzle]

I fix leaks properly. I wouldn't walk around with an open wound for months or years, my vehicles shouldn't have to either.

 

[Salty Crusty]

A few spots of oil on the driveway doesn't necessarily constitute an "open wound", it's a minor inconvenience.
Old vehicles leak. If you can't fix a rear main seal yourself, it's a $500 - $1000 job at a mechanic plus whatever else they find.
I'd argue that a maxi-pad on an inspection cover on a truck barely worth that is a proper fix.

I know a few guys who fix everything as soon as they discover a problem, regardless of the cost or inconvenience. They also have spotless shops with everything residing in its designated space. I can't live or work like that, it just doesn't work for me.

I have neither the time nor inclination to address all the minor inconveniences, I'd rather play with the grandkids than head to the shop for a day or two to fix a leak that's producing nothing more than a couple of drops of oil on the driveway.

And my new hero is Mediocretes.
"Ah well, good enough"