So while I'm posting in the newbie forum I have another question I may get answered?

One of my 8's has(had before it lost compression) a gear oil smell after driving it on the highway ... it isnt typical during normal day to day driving just when you are on the highway for a prolonged period of time..

It doenst leak gear oil.. and it is full...
Is it common for the seal around the shifter or something that can go bad and allow the smell to seep inside the cab without actually leaking fluid? Any other ideas?

 

Check the seal on the shift lever assembly. It is open into the tranny and gear oil

If it isn't sealed well you can smell gear oil in the cabin

 

Alright ... I will be replacing the transmission anyways with the swap.. but It is something that I always noticed..

I assume that seal is replaceable ? Mazda only or do you know if its something a parts house/rockauto type site can get? I will do some googling myself too to try and find it.

 

It's more like a boot. They often aren't re-installed correctly or torn if the transmission has been pulled