New motor now transmission fluid leak?
 

2001 Dakota 4.7 quad cab 4X4

had a new motor put in and now a transmission fluid is leaking from where the two bottom bolts are mounting the motor to the transmission! mechanic says this is a transmission problem not a motor problem? but it wasn't leaking before!! is this normal or couldn't they have caused it during the motor swap?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions,

Quadman

I'm assuming it's an automatic?

It's probably the seal on the torque converter. Hopefully they put on a new one.
It can be damaged during installation. It can also be damaged if there were any burrs/nicks on the hub.

The tranny has to come out to replace.

I was afraid someone would say that! Should I have to pay?

If they pulled the engine out, minus transmission, then all they would have likely done is disconnect the torque converter from the engine and leave it attached to the transmission.

It would have taken them two seconds to pull the converter and put in a new seal. Should they have? I know I would if I was going through all that trouble.

So, if they didn't change it should it be leaking now? Maybe. It could have been leaking before and you didn't notice it or it wasn't that bad of a leak. It's also possible that just by removing and reinstalling the engine that the converter moved enough to damage the seal (which was likely worn to begin with).

Talk to the shop. Maybe you can strike some sort of deal with them.

Good luck.

Thanks for your reply DakDan. I'm taking it back today for them to have a look but I'm already pretty sure what their answer will be!