Blown tranny seal?

[BuffaloX]

I've got a 1994 eXplorer 4x4, spent past 2 weeks and many hours installing a Duff 2.5" lift, Trxus M/T 31x1050's, repaired the front end from hitting deer-Duff steel tube bumper, headlights, grill, fender paint etc...work almost complete, just need to finish putting on a few front end pcs. But gotta take a test drive.

Just starting to have some fun after all the work AND I saw some smoke in the rear view while driving last night-pulled over to take a look and tranny fluid was pouring out at the seal between the motor and tranny. After it slowed a bit I took a rag and wiped off everything I could reach and see that was wet in any way.

The fluid was coming out right at the bottom of that seal-not running down from somewhere else. With most of the fluid now leaked out, and still dripping slowly at the bottom of the junction where the motor/tranny meet makes me think the seal is bad, since the level inside is minimal.

What do you think, and is this common? Hope the description helps. Thanks for your help and remedy /short cuts information. Do I have to pull the tranny completely out to replace the seal (if that is the prob.)

This is my first "start" post, I've been reading and following advice from this site for a while. It has been very helpful, I hope to get more help now since my truck is "all dressed up with no place to go!"

Thank you for your support-
Geoff 888-467-0476 toll free

 

[SteveVB]

The trans seal is a pretty common problem. How many miles on the trans? Rebuilt or original? Were you heading up hill when this happened? Did you over heat?
The seal leak is usually a sign of overheating trans fluid and that is caused by something internal- bands or clutches.

Do a search on htis site for all sorts of info on the front seal and its causes- pilot bushing, bad pump/converter alignment etc. The ATSG update manual for the A4LD lists a converter drainback modification to prevent blow outs, and aan improved seal retention method but doesnt list years used, so may be an option- Opera House may have more insight since hes had more of these apart than just about anyone on the site I think.

Pulling the trans and replacing the seal is the answer, but if you check the fluid and make sure its at proper operating range you can limp around with it for a while. I had mine blow on a mountain a few hours from home, let it cool and then filled it and drove home. Couldnt get a trans guy to look at it for a few weeks and never had a problem during that time.

Good Luck

 

[BuffaloX]

Which seal-

the seal pressed into the tranny behind the torque converter? Basically, pull out trans and the seal is then visible around spline? Just making sure, it's an $8 part at the dealer and a lot of work to install it.

Bought the truck last summer, found out through Ford it's a rebuild in "99, 93,000 miles, not going up hill but was on the thruway for an hour...and it let go. Kinda bummed cause I wanna drive it.

At 43 years, putting in the lift kit took a bit out of me-I wanted to finish with the smaller projects I have in mind without removing major components like a transmission.

Thanks much for your help!!! The bright side is you only have to type to help me ;o) I'll do the rest-with no more complaints.

Happy Easter to All!

Geoff

 

[SteveVB]

Thats the one - 7 or 8 dollar part 400 labor to R&R the trans.
If thats the case than I would look at the crank bushing while you have it apart, from what I have read about the A4LD the bushing should be replaced at the rebuild and frequently is not. This is the pilot bu8shing int he crank. Check the converter hub when it comes out.

I just asked about the hill since the fluid moves away from the pickup and if its low I think the trans will heat up much much faster.

 

[Crankcase]

My seal blew going up hill, and after it cooled, I refilled it and it was fine for months, I just had to add fluid every so often. Luckily you probably haven't damaged anything inside the tranny itself....