Speedo cable is leaking????

[ZSaint]

My '71 Z leaks fluid out of the speedo cable when parked on the hoist. It sets up in the front. A pool of synthetic oil is always on the floor. When I park her on the level, no leak.

Here is what I have done. I have replaced the "0" ring on the speedo gear housing. I have replaced the cable seal on the inside of the gear housing. I have changed the gasket on the speedo cable housing (that screws onto the tranny). It still leaks! Anyone have any ideas about where this fluid is coming from? It leaks down the outside of the cable and drips at the low point in the tunnel. There are NO other leaks in the tranny. I have replaced every seal and gasket in the speedo unit. What to do????

[nwcubsman]

Loren,

I had the same issue and the culprit was that I put the seal in without removing the pinion gear. It just didn't seat deeply enough to do the job. Second time around, it went fine. Good luck!

[ZSaint]

I removed the gear and replaced the seal. It still leaks. What else could it be?

[ZSaint]

I have repleaced all o-rings, seals and gaskets on the speedo/tranny. It still leaks. It did not leak with the 4-speed. Where have I erred?

[Panamared]

Clean the engine and take a close look to see where the leak is comming from.

hope this helps.

[ZSaint]

Thanks for the advice. As you can see from the pics, my Z is clean underneath. I have changed the 0-ring in the gear housing and the cable seal. I got these items from Nissan. It still leaks. I am stumped! Why does this cable still leak?

[a7dz]

Look close at the cable housing, cable and o ring are they smooth and free of mold marks? I had a slight crack in a brand new cable that drove me nuts. What do we say in the industry just because it is new does not mean it is right. If they all look good then I would change the o ring again.

Good Luck

[ZSaint]

That is a good idea. I remember going to the run-offs in Atlanta and having an engine misfire. I bought a new "hotdog" coil and the engine still missed. We fought it for a day and then someone said, "It still sounds like a bad coil!" I changed to a stock coil and it solved the problem. I had two bad super coils in a row! I will try a new O-ring and replace the speedo seal. Maybe it will cure itself then. I let you know!

[JimmyZ]

Just a thought... I don't think I saw that you tried another cable.

I hit half a truck tire while driving at night and cracked my speedo cable. Didn't know 'til 500 miles later and 1000miles from home. Ended up doing a field tranny swap. Lots of fun.

2c

Jim

[ZSaint]

Here's the funny part. My speedo does not leak when I drive. It does not leak on the garage floor. It is only when it sets in a nose-up attitude that it seeps. We were working on the exhaust header. (Putting 2 stainless springs on to hold the tailpipe up) We had the car on jackstands, front only. After we got the work done, there was a small pool of tranny fluid under the car. It is the only leak on the car. I really want to stop it!

[ezzzzzzz]

The reason for leaking in a nose up attitude is the oil level shifts. Think about it. Put water in a glass and tilt it. The fluid remains horizonal while the vessel is tilted. When parked level the oil is below that point at which it weeps out of the speedo housing, cable or wherever.

[zhead240]

Thanks for the advice. As you can see from the pics, my Z is clean underneath. I have changed the 0-ring in the gear housing and the cable seal. I got these items from Nissan. It still leaks. I am stumped! Why does this cable still leak?

MAN! you weren't kiddin. only one other zed that i know is that clean and it's ed's zed.