Checking out a 97 with poss. trans damage?

[spoulson]

I checked out a 1997 Explorer V6 4x4 that's for sale locally for cheap because it needs a transmission. After seeing it in person, the problem is clearly a busted transmission line that's pouring fluid all over the exhaust and ground as the engine idles.

The owner said the transmission popped and then wouldn't move anymore. I'm not sure how much they tried to rev it to get it to move since then. They said it drove fine until that happened.

I'm not an expert on automatics, so what could be the chances there's major damage to the internals from this leak? It could just need new lines.

 

[imp]

I checked out a 1997 Explorer V6 4x4 that's for sale locally for cheap because it needs a transmission. After seeing it in person, the problem is clearly a busted transmission line that's pouring fluid all over the exhaust and ground as the engine idles.

The owner said the transmission popped and then wouldn't move anymore. I'm not sure how much they tried to rev it to get it to move since then. They said it drove fine until that happened.

I'm not an expert on automatics, so what could be the chances there's major damage to the internals from this leak? If you're SURE leak is from a cooling line, fix may be simple. If front pump seal, not so simple. Big damage to "guts" not likely, IMO, but BE AWARE, you never heard/saw this trans. WORK. Cracking a line on purpose to "create" the leak problem, might be done to mask a NON-FUNCTIONING transmission....... It could just need new lines.If you're lucky, yes. Otherwise....., well....

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[spoulson]

Ok, basically what I was thinking. I have the worst case scenario in mind as well. I'm pretty sure it seems like a trans line and not a seal. The leak is on the side, not from the bell housing.

Think the torque converter will have burned up, too? My thinking is if the oil pump is pushing fluid through the torque converter and guts (albiet at low pressure), then leak out the side, it's better than running completely dry.

 

[windsors03cobra]

It should still move even with a leaky line so long as it is full of fluid.
Can you burn up an a/t by running it out of fluid ? Sure.

If its full of fluid and you fire it up and it does nothing, it gone.