1999 Pontiac Sunfire Logo
Posted on Sep 10, 2011
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Leaking red fluid from passenger side - 1999 Pontiac Sunfire

2 Answers

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  • Posted on Sep 10, 2011
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Your car has a transmission fluid leak - its red.
****** fluid leaks often (but not always) come from a part of the transmission pan gasket
(also known as the transmission seal).
To find the leak, wipe all reddish fluid from the bottom of the car, then let it drip for a day, and
locate the leak by where it drips onto the ground (gives the general area), and the location above
the drip point where fresh fluid has escaped the transmission.

Here's a generic "How To" for the 99 Sunfire transmission pan gasket.
The last time I replaced a Sunfire transmission pan gasket/filter, the various transmissions
for the Sunfire were differentiated by (a) the number of "speeds" (gears), and (b) the number of
bolts in the transmission pan. E.g. the last Sunfire transmission I did was a 2000 Sunfire
3-speed transmission with 17 bolts.
Transmission gaskets are made of rubber, cork, paper, synthetic materials, or plastic. Purchase a new gasket set for the transmission. Gaskets are not reusable. A gasket that was working fine previously could leak after reassembly.
Carefully follow the recommendations from the gasket manufacturer. Read through all the installation steps before beginning. Take note of any of the original equipment manufacturer's recommendations that could affect engine sealing.

  • Before installing the oil pan, make sure its flange is flat.
  • The gasket should be mounted with a few dabs of quick-drying contact adhesive. Gasket sealer is not normally used on pan gaskets except to hold a gasket in place. Rubber cement or gasket positioning sealer can be used if necessary.
  • Carefully align the gasket before the adhesive dries.
  • Wait until the adhesive is dry before installing the pan.
  • Normally, a mechanic will also replace the transmission filter and clean the steel shavings off the magnetic strip mounted to the inside of the transmission pan.
  • Tighten the oil pan bolts to the recommended torque specification and sequence given in the service manual.
NOTE Overtightening a gasket will take it past its elastic limit and cause it to lose its sealing ability. Gaskets often split in the middle when they are overtightened.Usually, the screw holes in the gasket are smaller than the screw diameter. When the screws are installed through the pan and the gasket, they will remain there during installation to position the gasket.

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  • Expert 41 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 10, 2011
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Sounds like maybe transmission fluid leaking, power steering.

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