Educate my ignorance. I see the flex plate. What does it do? I have a leak there. And want to address it.

 

The flex plate is a part used w/ automatic transmission vehicles.

This part couples the drive from the engine to the transmission. It is bolted onto the engine's crankshaft. It is a formed steel disc w/ a punched out web.

The web permits a small angular mismatch between the crankshaft and the transmission input shaft.

An intact and tightly mounted flex plate will not cause a leak. If there is a flex plate problem then the loud audible noise will be obvious.

There are three potential sources for an ATF leak at the transmission bell housing. One is the seal at the input shaft, to seal from the rotating torque converter. Another is the perimeter gasket, where the large input pump mates to the transmission housing. The last are the sealing washers on each of those perimeter bolts.

 

One more potential leak source is the pipe plug threaded into the lower corner that seals the opening where the front band lever pivot shaft is installed. It is very unlikely that this sealed pipe plug is leaking.

 

Thanks.

 

Is the fluid definetly Red? could be a rear engine seal leak or even a valve cover leak working all the way down.

 

try this:

http://cruiser54.com/?p=96