Since we returned from our Spring trip to California and Nevada I have been resting a lot and working on the GMC a little.

The first thing I did was fix the driver’s side exhaust manifold gasket. Seems that the process of cutting out the old mufflers and pipes and installing new ones was the culprit as far as causing new exhaust manifold leaks. The exhaust manifold gaskets are “Remflex” brand and I love them because they are so easy to install and they work. The reason that is the case is that they are thick and soft so that they don’t take a lot of torque and they conform to bad surfaces. Being thick and soft makes them susceptible to damage when someone is pulling and pushing on the exhaust pipes and that is what happened. All fixed now.

The next thing I did was tighten the air conditioning fan belt because it was screaming when I turned the
A/C on. I tightened it to what I thought was “spec” but it still chirps when I turn the A/C on so I bought some belt dressing. It comes in a spray can now (I used to use sticks) and I have not tried it yet but I am sure it will be fine.

The next big thing that needs to be done is to find and fix the really bad transmission leak that has been bugging us since that transmission was installed. I decided that I would use some fluorescent dye in the transmission fluid and see where it was coming out. Well, either I didn’t use enough dye or I am missing something but I never could see any fluorescent oil no matter what I did. I put the stuff in and mixed it up by running the transmission in gear while up on jack stands. I ran it for about 15-20 minutes and put about 15 miles on it without a load then checked with a black light and nothing was visible even at night. Next, I took it off the jack stands and drove it about 20 miles including a 7-mile long hill but still no fluorescence. I did see some heavier oil flowing from the bottom of the dip stick tube though so that is what I am thinking is the source of the leak. That and the pan gasket.

Today I bought a new pan gasket and transmission filter. I also bought a “transfer pump” at Harbor Freight so I can try to pump the oil out of the transmission instead of taking a shower in it. JimK says to use RTV at the base of the dip stick tube since O-rings don’t do well in there. Tomorrow I will try to drain the oil and fix the dip stick tube and the pan gasket. Wish me luck.