Torque Converter blew up?

[mrhobbz]

So I just got around to yanking my 3.8L (99' camaro) apart to rebuild it after I had thought it spun a rod bearing. The motor looks fine, infact it looks like it was recently rebuilt, everything looks to be in tip top shape inside and out. It definitely sounded like a rod bearing. Previously I had a local shop install a torque converter, my tranny was slipping and a local tuning shop I took it to hooked it up to one of their fancy pants computers and determined it was the torque converter causing the issues.

The torque converter has been leaking tranny fluid ever since, I'm wondering if the torque converter came apart? Any suggestions or other ideas before I rip the trans out it?

[LETZRIDE]

Re: Torque Converter blew up?

are you sure it is not one of the seals? My trans was leaking fluid when one of my seals went bad inside...

[bigbrian442]

Re: Torque Converter blew up?

Unbolt the converter from the flywheel and run the engine. The harmonic damper can also cause a knocking noise.

[transamtom1]

Re: Torque Converter blew up?

If they didn't seat the converter properly the front pump seal will get damaged.

This will cause a leak.

[mrhobbz]

Re: Torque Converter blew up?

Thanks for the replies, not too worried about the leak its a very slow leak. Brian, I didn't even think about the damper, will look into that when i get back into a heated garage. Thanks.

[mrhobbz]

Re: Torque Converter blew up?

Motors fine, separated the flywheel and torque converter and noise is gone.

[bigbrian442]

Re: Torque Converter blew up?

Motors fine, separated the flywheel and torque converter and noise is gone.

I would still grab hold of the balancer and see if the outer ring is loose from the center hub.

[mrhobbz]

Re: Torque Converter blew up?

I would still grab hold of the balancer and see if the outer ring is loose from the center hub.

I'll check it out tonight. My other big concern was that when the car started acting up on the freeway i was getting some smoke on the drivers side right at the firewall almost a burnt plastic smell but I haven't been able to find any culprits any ideas on that?

[bigbrian442]

Re: Torque Converter blew up?

Nothing other than some getting on the exhaust. Maybe trans fluid on the exhaust crossover pipe.