302/4R70W experts needed

[IAmTodd]

I've been looking at a new Explorer that has the 302. I stopped by after hours tonight to take another look. To my suprise I found a spot underneath which I didn't notice. Upon further inspection I found a plug on the bottom of the bell housing(its plastic). Its look pretty wet around there. I snapped a pic. Is this something to be concerned about? The vehicle only has 40k miles.

Thanks in advance!

 

[dman726749]

thoes exposed wires comming off the o2 sensor dont look to good

 

[IAmTodd]

thoes exposed wires comming off the o2 sensor dont look to good

:frustrate O well. Nothing a little wire loom and some electrical tape can't fix.

 

[Bill MacLeod]

The rubber plug is to access the torque converter drain plug. Looks like some seepage past the plug threads.

Do you know if there is any service records that might indicate a recent trans fluid change or possible replacement of the torque converter?

I would guess that its just some seepage and nothing that is to worry about. No harm in checking this out though. The engine will have to be rotated by hand until the drain plug is visible/accessible.

 

[IAmTodd]

My dad suggested a bad front seal. Possible, but it will be checked out in the shop before I purchase it.

 

[mvoeller]

leak

I couldn't tell from the picture what color the fluid was. It could also be a rear main seal leaking. Mine is leaking also, but not as much.

 

[IAmTodd]

Thats what I'm also leaning to because it seemed to be dark in color. It was also hard to tell because it was getting pretty dark. There was pretty much no smell to it.

If this is the rear main seal, I'm assuming this is to the engine. How big of a deal is it? Something to be worried about? Thanks alot for the insight!

 

[Mbrooks420]

I was under my truck yesterday and I noticed that spot on mine. I pulled the plug out and it was dry inside. Mine wasn't nearly as big a spot as yours, and mine had 70k on it. Yours looks pretty wet. Mine is more of a road grime. I think a little bit of seepage may be normal, but that may be a little much for the mileage. Go inspect the truck a few more times. Document everything. It makes a very good bargaining point. I suggest you do a single carfax. You get a 1 time money back garuantee. You can only look up one vehicle VIN though.

 

[Glacier991]

Take a clean white paper towel and wipe the spot off. If you see only black, it's probably engine oil. If any red, transmission fluid. If it's ATF, more investigation might be in order. If it's black, probably an oil l eak, possible rear main seal... a rear main seal leak is not uncommon, and not the end of the world. In fact the early 4.0's (yes I know this is not one of those) have VERY leaky seals after they aged a little... got 210K on mine and it leaks ... other than a driveway mess, no biggie.

 

[Robb]

Off Topic, but be sure to, at least, run a CarFax on it. That exhaust and driveshaft, with only 40K miles, would make me wonder about flood damage.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I was wondering about the excessive rust on the driveshaft myself.

 

[TarHeel085]

you mean the tranny front seal right? it could also be the rear main seal in the engine. what color is the fluid around that area?

 

[IAmTodd]

I'm thinking its the rear main seal. It was a darkish color. We pointed it out to the salesman and the service department is going to take a look at it. So that will be taken care of before I even get it.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I'd be leary of a fleet vehicle. They often get beat, and I'd use that as a bargaining point for sure. Just because of that, I'd make them throw in a 48k warranty for no extra cost. I'll never buy a fleet or lease vehicle ever again.

 

[Glacier991]

Good call Robb, I was so focused on the stain I didn;t think "out of the box"... THAT driveshaft and cat doesn't look really good for a low mileage vehicle. Robb's advice is the best in this thread so far.

 

[IAmTodd]

Would it be cause for sitting all summer? Its been really we here(like everywhere else. The rest of the underneath is spotless. I'm not too concerned because our '02 is begining to rust also.

The Carfax also shows the it was registered as a fleet vehicle for 66 miles. Then as a lease vehicle. Again, not too worried.

 

[Robb]

I only bring it up because there are A LOT of flood vehicles making there way up and down the east coast right now. The recent storms have created many flood cars, and there are more than a few people willing to sell these vehicles as normal cars. I would just make sure you can trace the truck's recent past and be sure it wasn't near any of the recent storms. If I remember the cost of that truck correctly, there is no reason not to be overly paranoid about it. It is a large investment, don't be afraid to track down exactly what it is you are buying.

 

[IAmTodd]

I only bring it up because there are A LOT of flood vehicles making there way up and down the east coast right now. The recent storms have created many flood cars, and there are more than a few people willing to sell these vehicles as normal cars. I would just make sure you can trace the truck's recent past and be sure it wasn't near any of the recent storms. If I remember the cost of that truck correctly, there is no reason not to be overly paranoid about it. It is a large investment, don't be afraid to track down exactly what it is you are buying.

I know for a fact that it hasn't been in recent floods. It has sat in the lot for a long time. They've been asking alot for it, so thats the reason for that. I work 100 yards from the lot. So I know of no floods. Atleast in the recent history.

Here's the Carfax if you want to look it over. Thanks for the concern. Yes its quite at large investment. Especially at the age of 18. I've been over this car with a toothpic many times. I've missed the oil spot until this time. Which I was completely underneath the vehicle. It would've been quite funny for someone to walk past and only see my feet hangin out from the sides.