Tranny leak?

[jiimi]

I recently move up to the mnts. to go off to college. The first day after i got up here i noticed a small puddle of fluid under my truck. I seemed to be leaking from where the oil pan and tourque converter meet. At least thats what i think it is, its not coming from the oil plug but that seam just infront of the oil pan. I checked the fluid levels and they seemed fine. I figured that it was just due to the 5 hour drive, in hot weather, and the steep mnt. hills were putting alot of strain on the tranny. ITs got 175000 miles on it, and has been having intermint trouble. I notice it was having prblems when in 3rd gear but when i stepped on it and down shifted it seemed fine. I only drive like 1 or 2 times a week and haven't had any problems for a few weeks, then yesturday i noticed an small drop of fluid. I don't think it is oil, cant quite tell if its got a reddish color or not. not A/C or other fluids. Pretty sure its the Tranny. Im figureing i need a rebuild soon. ALready lost OD. IS there any stop leak, or additive anyone recomends to extend the life just a bit longer? I had the tranny serviced just before i came up here. Any help? thnx

 

[01EB5.0]

sounds like your fluid was boiling over. I would see if you have a tranny cooler installed. if not install one and get some synthetic tranny fluid installed as it can stand up to higher stress without loosing it's working properties. Did you have a full tranny flush before you left for school? was it because of problems? I was told not to flush a tranny that is failing or it could cause a passageway to become blocked, making the tranny die faster. I flushed mine because I was having problems, then a week later the light started flashing and it was shifting wierd. I needed to get a rebuild installed.
Good luck to you! The best piece of advice I have is get an external tranny cooler installed and chenge the tranny fluid and filter as when it overheated the fluid may have burnt

 

[SteveVB]

overheated

Sounds like the fluid overheated and came out through the vent or the front seal. I would take it easy, and get a cooler if you dont have one, but its time for a rebuild I think. The trans is heating up for some reason- bands, clutches, may be cheaper now to have it rebuilt or replaced than waiting for it to die when you are on the road. 175,000 miles the tranny has had a good life. But Im afraid its time to rebuild.
Good Luck

 

[jiimi]

Thanks for the help, i guess its good news and bad news. I know i need a rebuild, but unfourtunatly im on a limited budget, until the semester is over, so i am figureing if i just take it easy only puttin like 40 miles on it a week or so, it should last, specialy as it gets cooler. Ive done the math, and looked into gettin a small car. Other than my tranny my X is in great condition. The good news is, it doesn't sound like i have a major leak, or problem and will PROBABLY be ok drivin a few miles for now. The Bad news is i need a rebuild, which i figured. The reason i had it flushed is i had a rupter in the Modulator Vavle? somethin like that and was suckin tranny fluid up into the engine, when i had that fixed the guy suggested i get a tranny flush as well. I don't know if i have an ext. cooler, its the XLT model. I haven't added a cooler and i don't think the previous owner did. I might have one added when i get a rebuild. Thnx for the help. How much does having a cooler added cost? unfourtunatly i cant do the work myself anymore, no tools, or space to do it.

 

[thegoon543]

If you arent sure whether or not you have a tranny cooler, look at that EPA spec sheet with the mileage, whatever you call it. If it says towing package on it, then a tranny cooler came with it from the factory.