Hi all, this is my first time to post, been reading for several weeks since I bought my current R50: a 2003 slightly neglected, but really neat little car. I have loads of experience with other cars, primarilly GM, trucks and the like, but this is my first "precision" car. I am really enjoying it. I picked it up with the expectaiton I would have to replace the CVT with a engine/trans/ECU/harness, etc.
Today, I (thanks to much of what I have read here, pulled the battery, powerwashed all I could (it was filthy) and filled up the CVT with oil. I think it was completely, or very close, empty. Hope no damage, but I did buy with the expectation of replacing it. Anyway, car ran great! THis is the first I drove it. I towed it home on a large auto trailer, so this was really cool!! I ran through the manual gear selection mode and it ran like a dream. However, it is leaking fluid (trans) at an alarming rate. Pouring from somewhere up behind the throttle body kind of in the front of the trans/engine bay, behind the radiator and intake area. I know I am describing engine parts, but just using that as a reference. I have not started digging into it again, like pulling stuff off the top to try and figure out where the fluid is coming from, but that is next.

My question is, (I have not recieved either of the two manuals i bought late last week) are there know issues with the transmission coolant lines/seals coming out of the trans to the cooler? Could there be something there that is leaking?

THank you in advance for any guidance/information

 

Good Question. However, the real questions are:

"Since you are aware that the CVT's are junk, A) Why waste your time trying to fix something that will fail again? and B) Why waste money trying to make a flawed system work?"

 

In area of #13 ?

 

Because he posted in a different thread he bought the car for $500. He 's just getting started.

They may be a problem but I got 100,000 miles out of my CVT before I sold it. If he has the skills and can "rebuild" it he is in the money.

 

05r05, yes, spot on! Just getting started. Completing several other projects and could not turn this one down. Honsetly, I am super impresed with these little cars. Really cool (IMHO) styling, for the very little i have driven it, super fun to drive. I have a 14 yr old who is overwhelmed with it, and I hope to take from my fathers playbook with him, given his interest int he car. My father coached me a 12 buying a 57 beetle that I was allowed to drive around by 13, did all the work myself and so on. Ended up building a buggy out of it. Learned how to fab, weld, machine, paint, build, etc. on that bug. Kept me out of the typical trouble too. We are going to take apart the top given it should be quite clean and start hunting the leak. Manuals purchased, but not here yet. Thank you to all who ahve replied.
Yes, ufomini, i know the CVT is notorious for issues, and currently bidding on several wrecked 05/06 MCS's for the eng/trans/wiring/ecu/etc. That will be mroe long term, something my son will undertake as I finish another project in the bay next to him and the mini: a 67 nvert beetle. Thanks again!

 

Sorry gRAY rAvEn, yes, could be from that area. Thank you for the pic!!

 

Just a quick update, my son and I had a chance to get the car up on ramps and poke around underneath. THe fluid is pretty clearly coming out of the bell-housing area. I suspect it is a shot seal #12 in the pic above. bummer. was hoping to get it running for as little so he could learn on the CVT and not damage the (hopefully) getrag 6sp.

 

Morphius,

I wish you the best. I'm sure a different type of transmission is totally possible and will serve you well. Good luck and welcome to the fun!