Transmission dipstick leak

[lomax07]

Im tryna find the best way to fix a dipstick leak. I first thought it was the pan bolt but i did further searching and discovered it was actually the dipstick after a filter change and 6 qts. later........ Search has gotten me close but not close enough.
I researched and found out about the o-ring but the question is should I drop the exhaust because the cat is right there, or use a long extension.

 

[mespock]

I'm guessing it would be the easiest way to replace the 0-Ring. You should be able to just drop fromt the Cat.

 

[lomax07]

Are you saying drop the front cat cause if so im gonna go out n pb blaster them bolts cause they gonna need it.

 

[Roadboss]

No, it is not necessary. What you need to do is get a long (3 foot) extension along with an extra set of hands (friend) to guide the socket over the bolt that attaches the dipstick tube to the rear of the head. Once unbolted you can pull the tube out and replace the "O" ring. Do the reverse to re-install the bolt. A local tranny shop can do this in 15 minutes.

 

[lomax07]

whats a price range a trans shop might charge. Im mechanically inclined i would prefer to do it myself with a helping hand. I had just changed the fluid in the pan and changed the gasket yesterday only downfall is I used a Fel-pro gasket instead of an OEM one but i did hold on to the re-usable gasket.

One more question i read in another thread about this p0411 code. Im having this issue also where is this air pump located.
My 97 has about 163k on it and i'm having all the usual issues I've taken care of majority of the other front suspension woes. I even experienced the ball joint failure lol