Of course I recognize this could be the end. I am trying not to freak out. It would be helpful to know if anyone has experienced anything like this before? I think it makes sense to try and fix trans leak then drain and fill. Delete CELs and go for a drive.

I don’t like coincidences so I doubt this is a sensor issue at this point (such as 3 gear pressure switch) which has been replaced already. But I remain am open to feedback…

 

Ah dang, that sucks! That cover is where the shifter cable attaches to the gear selector shaft...there's a lip seal where that shaft passes through the case, I've had that seal leak badly on my old civic too. You can easily remove the cover to inspect it.

 

Looks as though someone has done the smear of sealant before. Pull the cover and just see, maybe its just a seal leaking like where the cable goes into the case. Im just guessing of coarse. Hondabond it. I would do a complete swap as in, while it on jackstands do the normal fluid swap, crank it, put it in gear for few minutes and repeat

 

Interesting. So the seal is not a rubber piece that can be bought? I should try to seal with Hondabond?

So assuming it’s been slipping because of low fluid. Is it possible that once I fix leak and restore fluid level the trans goes back to normal? I suppose it all depends if my trans has been damaged. Ugh, my anxiety is killing me right now.

Am going to try and dig in there once my little one naps this afternoon.

 

I honestly dont know and really didnt think the element had a cable as almost everything uses a speed sensor nowdays. You can see that somebody has tried to smear sealant behind that spot already so that may be the cause or it could be something behind that cover and the wind is just pushing the fluid toward the bolt head. It would be wort a try to at least pull the cover and see. See the sealant in the pic?

 

Yes I did that because I was grasping at straws a while back. I couldn’t figure out where the leak was coming from. So I put sealant along the lines of the case just in case it was leaking through the cracks somehow.

 

Ok. So I took off the shell and I do see the seal and where it is leaking from. It’s hard to imagine such a small drip from could cause this. Now I have to try and clean prep surface and get Honda bond in there….

 

Pics:

 

The rubber seal where the gear selector goes in? I wouldnt hondabond that. There has to be a new one.

 

 

Ok guys, was able to take off more surrounding shell pieces but its still hard to get my fingers in there. Anyone know what’s inside that seal? Is it a sensor? It seems there is a small metal arm that houses the sensor?

 

From the pictures I saw it looks as though you take the screw out that goes through the shaft to disconnect the rest of the arm and maybe use a pick to pull the seal over it. Just slide the new one on. Im guessing of coarse but thats what it looks like

 

 

That rod is attached to the valve body, and shifts your gears as you move the gear selector. On the back side of the transmission (the "end" closest to the wheel) is your range sensor, which tells the ecu what gear it's in.

 

#12 in the image below. Part number according to Majestic is 91209-612-003. The part number cited earlier is for the shaft to the position sensor. Seal is #30 and sensor is #19 in the second image.

 

Is that #19 sensor the neutral safety switch?

 

Pretty sure that is the gear selector sensor.

 

Also called the range switch, if you're looking it up.

 

You had said "It’s still very hot so I have left it for now", and that's in the same post where you show a picture of the dip stick. Does that mean that the fluid is at its lowest mark when the transmission is hot? I'm away from home and thus away from my manuals, but as I recall you are supposed to measure the fluid level with the engine off and cold. Can someone check? If true, you are way low on fluid.

 

Ok. It seems the transmission range switch and neutral safety switch names are used interchangeably. I had this switch replaced about 3 years ago.

 

Manual says that the ATF is checked warm.

Don't know how far you have gotten, but before you get too far into taking things apart, how about topping up the ATF and seeing how it drives. It would be frustrating to replace a leaky seal on a bad transmission.

If it were a Ford or GM transmission it would be fine. My delivery van suffered a pin hole in a rusted cooler line. Adding fluid brought it back to life. I replaced the line and it has worked normally for 1000s of miles.

 

I am leaning towards Honda-bonding the seal and doing a partial drain and flush. Once I drain it, I will be able to see if any metal particles come out. I think what I have going for me is I have maintained the trans well it's whole life and I did not hear any grinding when I last drove it. I am hopeful that once I fill that fluid back up the slipping goes away. II have been so anxious regarding this situation. I am certainly praying for a Christmas Miracle.

 

Honda bond won't do any good. The leak is likely between the seal and shaft which rotates which in turn would break your Hondabond seal.

 

Hmmm, ok I guess I will replace the seal. Will go to the Honda Dealer at lunch today.

 

I starting to think maybe it's too risky with the recent issues and high mileage to do a drain at this point. I know it is a frequent debate on here regarding whether to drain transmissions with high mileage, but maybe I should simply fix leak and fill up with more fluid?

 

If you've been keeping up with transmission service, then a drain and fill (or two) won't hurt anything. A few quarts of fluid is a lot cheaper than a new transmission. I'm not sure how much fluid you'll lose after removing the seal, so you may want to drain it anyway.

 

Also... worse case scenario. If my transmission is done, would it be my torque converter that needs replaced? I think I saw a new OEM one for $500? Is this the right part?

Honda Element Torque Converter - Guaranteed Genuine Honda Parts (hondapartsnow.com)

 

Although thr TC in many hondas fail, it's generally the friction surfaces which overheat and fail, sometimes losing a gear or welding themselves together. I agree with changing the seal, as that shifter shaft rotates in it. You may get off easy though, with changing it and doing the drain and refill procedure.