Porsche Cayenne Torque Converter Seal Leak

This Cayenne Turbo is currently on the lift due to a leaking torque converter seal. You might call it a post purchase inspection as well! The torque converter seal leak is one of the big things to watch out for not only when purchasing a Cayenne, but also as an owner. The reason the seal leaks is due to coolant contamination from the coolant pipes on top of the engine that like to break. We have covered this numerous times in the past on that flawed design and the updated metal coolant pipes in the past. The coolant fills the center valley of the engine and leaks down into the bellhousing through the starter hole. It then makes it’s way to the torque converter seal where it dries, gets crusty, and allows the transmission fluid to start leaking. Not good. It is a lot of labor to replace a $40 seal.

Pulling the exhaust out of the way, including the secondary cats and the driver side primary cat on the turbo for better access.

A lot of parts start to pile up! (Where’s waldo…..what doesn’t belong in that pile?)

The torque converter bolts are very hard to get to, and require a 12mm triple square with no socket end and long in length. The side of the block is actually cut out just so you can fit the shaft of the triple square in the hole….and this is all done blind because you can’t see the hole, bolt, or tool when it is in place. The tools critical for this job are the 12mm triple square (or the 96880 tool) and the alignment pin for reinstalling the transmission. I can’t remember the part number for that one, I made my own using 2 old m96 flywheel bolts welded together and the heads cut off. This is for lining up the torque converter to the flexplate on reinstallation.

That’s one big tranny!

And we of course don’t let that opportunity go to waste!

With the torque converter removed, you can see the crusty seal around the mainshaft and the ATF fluid dripping down through the holes at the bottom of the case.

The seal removed from the transmission and the nose of the torque converter which inserts into it.

Ready for a new seal. You will have to peer inside and see if there is a solid or roller bushing shaft as two kinds were used, and the seal is dependent on which type you have.

Here is a little picture of where the torque converter bolts are accessed from. The screw driver is through the hole and comes out the other side where you insert the 96880 from. You can actually see the cutout notch in the block behind the tip in the next picture showing how tight of space it is.

And this picture is way more than you will be able to see without having the motor out of the car.

And with that, a new seal and reinstall begins. Then a round of transmission fluid and a new filter and this one is out of here.