Hey i got a VERY small leak on my 93 explorer, and dont really know much about engine crap right now, just got my license and bought a beat up explorer im rebuilding.

anyways, there is transmission fluid leaking, but its a pretty tiny leak, as in the car has to sit for a few days to notice that there is a leak (wet spot underneath the SUV). ive heard people have had leaks through the front seal. is this something i should take into consideration because it can get worse, or can i drive on this? if it wont get any worse i'de love to leave it alone hehe, but just wanna see if this is a big thing that i should get fixed, any help would be great, thanks!

It all depends on where its leaking for sure. There is an awful lot of places they can leak. We cannot give you a clue unless you know for sure its the front seal. Front seals generally leak when driving though (mine always have anyway). I would bet its somewhere else.

Clean it up really well (everywhere underneath) and park the suspected leaking area above white posterboard and see where it drips.

Alrighty, i did what you said to do. I cleaned up the area of where i thought it would leak from, everything around the front seal. ive been taking a look periodically, and i found the leak,

Its on the big main seal, and its leaking at a bolt. The X has been sitting for between 36 and 48 hours, and so far two drops of fluid have hit the cardboard underneath it hehe. Should i get this fixed even though its a small leak or am i okay?

Do you mean its leaking at a bolt where the transmission is bolted to the engine? Technically its called a "bell housing" and "block". There is no seal there. Its just bolted metal to metal (No fluid is supposed to be in there).

There is a seal where the torque converter goes into the front pump, which is up inside there (front seal). I would bet that has a minor leak. They tend to wear and leak. It would run down inside the "bell housing" and drip off somewhere.

I think you are fine with just a couple of drops. I would periodically check the fluid and keep an eye on the leak though. You would want to get it fixed right away if it gets very bad. Most older transmissions drip a little somewhere. In fact most engines do as well. Ok, maybe its just been all of mine. :D ;) :p

Hope this helps easy your worries a little.

Brian_B

I'm with Brian, keep driving it and check your fluid everytime you gas up. Remember to check the fluid with the engine running. I've driven a leaky '92 for years and years!

Maybe I missed it somewhere, but what transmission do you have? Automatic or manual? If it's a manual, it could be leaking at the top at the "shifter rail plugs" and it's a quick and easy fix. If it's an automatic, you can always get some of that stuff they sell at autoparts stores that is "stop leak" kind of stuff for transmissions. It's buy all of the Automatic transmission fluid and is made to kind of make the seals bigger to hopefully stop or slow down the leak.

BMX is correct. I just assumed it was an automatic. Did they even put manual transmission in the 93 model? If its a standard, then he knows more than I do about them.

Personally, I don't recomed putting any additive in a transmission. I have seen to much damage that the additive "may" have caused and no real benefits. At least in automatics. Maybe thats just me.

Whatever you do, just keep an eye on the fluid level and you should be fine for a long time.

The stop leak additives often soften seals and shorten their useful life. AT the rate of your leak, I'd avoid them.

yeah its an automatic, and the cars been sitting for about 4 days now, 3 drops of fluid on the cardboard underneath it, so im gonna leave it alone unless it worsens, thanks for the help all!

I agree, leave it alone. That's hardly even a leak. :) My dad's Chevy auto trans had a small leak, and the stop leak stuff helped it out...no more leaks. I wasn't aware of the bad effects, and I don't think he was either. We just used a small amount. Actually, now that I think about it...he changed the trans fluid shortly after he put that stuff in and he hasn't had any leaks since, so it wasn't driven with it in there for long.