Leaking trans fluid from a very weird place... help please

[Mikes95XLT]

My mom noticed a spot on our driveway about a week ago, and I shrugged it off cause my brother parks his POS in the spot sometimes too. Well, I'd been noticing recently that my truck takes a LONG time to shift from park to drive, or reverse to drive. At least 3 or 4 seconds. So today when I got home, I got under the truck, and low and behold I'm leaking something. Upon further inspection, it's trans fluid. Check the stick, which is dry. Dammit. So I had one of my mechanic friends come over, and he said it's leaking from where the bell housing meets the engine. Help please??

 

[section525]

On top, right? There's the overflow tube that run up the tranny housing toward the motor. I've heard of fluid spewing out of there before. So I doubt you really have a problem with leakage. Just fill er back up and hope you didnt waste anything inside.

 

[NH25]

I doubt it is leaking out of the overflow tube. I bet it is leaking out of the input seal. Replacing the seal woul,d require pulling the trans, so until the leak gets worse or the trans breaks down, I would just keep it full of fluid and keep an eye on the leak.

 

[SteveVB]

Front Seal

sounds like the transmission front seal is leaking. Has your tranny been rebuilt by chance?

pull the trans and converter, check the pilot bushing, seal and converter hub.

Good Luck

 

[Mikes95XLT]

NH25: Leak is pretty bad. Big spot under the truck this morning....

SteveVB: Ummmmmmm I won't be doing the work myself.

Another weird thing happened today when I went out to check the fluid. Started the truck, and the engine oil pressure stayed on L for like ten minutes, and then jumped up to mid level all of a sudden. I think my truck is possessed.

 

[SteveVB]

Originally posted by Mikes95XLT

SteveVB: Ummmmmmm I won't be doing the work myself.

Same information applies- be sure you ASK them about the pilot bushing and the converter pilot - this is a known problem with the trans, but it seems that most shops dont do anything about it. I would insist that it be replaced. Have them check the converter and also the pump alignment. Ask A LOT of questions about how they are going to do the repair and what they think. Replacing the crank bushing wont cost much more(parts like $5) and could prevent a repeat.

Good Luck

 

[Mikes95XLT]

UPDATE

Just got back from the shop....

He said he's never seen trans fluid leaking from there before. The leak is between the bell housing and the motor. He told me he thinks it could be either one of two things..... 1) Input seal or 2) pump. He has to drop the trans either way. He also said that if it's the pump, that I'd be better off buying a new or used trans than rebuilding the one I have because that would be more expensive.

Another thing is that I have bad ball joints that he said are ready to fall out, so he is going to replace those. Anything I should look for on that?

What are your opinions on this? Thanks guys.

 

[SteveVB]

Re: UPDATE

Originally posted by Mikes95XLT
What are your opinions on this? Thanks guys.

Find another mechanic- if hes never seen a front pump leak on an Explorer he hasnt seen many. It isnt a hard job to replace the pump - the tranny has to come out, but once out the bell housing comes off and the pump unbolts. Replace with the alignment tool and thats it. I just ordered a new pump from FPN- a NEW FORD pump- less than $110. Plus a gasket kit with the seal will add $25. DO NOT LET THEM REBUILD the pump, or install a rebuilt. Get a new one from Ford.(I didnt listen to this advice and am getting ready to replace it) If it needs rebuilding then ask around for someoen who has some experience with the A4LD family.

Did he check the pressures to determine the pump problems? MAy want to check the boost pressure valve, and the things I mentioned before (crank bushing, converter -both pilot and hub)

Good Luck

 

[eclipse5302]

Hey, my front input seal leaks tool. And guess what...my trans has a delay going into rev or forward. I was thinking of just pulling the trans to fix the seal, since I don't have cash for a rebuild/used trans right now.

Jason

 

[Mikes95XLT]

SteveVB: So you're saying even if it's the pump, they don't need to rebuild or replace the trans? Just buy a new pump from Ford?

Do you think that I should buy one anyways even if it isn't the pump, it's just the seal, just to get it done while the trans is dropped?

Thanks.

 

[Exp-Wi.]

pump seal

I had a leak in the exact same spot about 2 months ago. Only mine leaked real bad and only intermittenly when it got hot. Anyway, I dropped the transmission and replaced the pump seal. So far I havn't had any leaks, but still I fear there is an underlying problem that made the seal leak to begin with. You should definately find a mechanic who is familiar with Explorers.

 

[Mikes95XLT]

Re: pump seal

Originally posted by Exp-Wi.
...Only mine leaked real bad and only intermittenly when it got hot.

That's what mine does.

 

[SteveVB]

Originally posted by Mikes95XLT
SteveVB: So you're saying even if it's the pump, they don't need to rebuild or replace the trans? Just buy a new pump from Ford?

Do you think that I should buy one anyways even if it isn't the pump, it's just the seal, just to get it done while the trans is dropped?

Thanks.

The pump is part of the transmission, but its the first thing to come off the trans, so its easy to get to and they dont have to tear down the whole trans to get to it. They should be able to tell how the pump is doing with a pressure test on the the transmission.

How many miles on the transmission? I dont know if they need to rebuild or not.
If you have over 120 k miles or so I would do a rebuild now.

Good luck

 

[Mikes95XLT]

90k on the trans...

I don't think this shop has ever worked on Ford transmissions from an Explorer. He said he wasn't sure where the pump was located. I mentioned to him that I was told it was right up front, and he told me today that he'd take a look.

I'll keep you guys updated. Thanks Steve.

 

[SteveVB]

Originally posted by Mikes95XLT
90k on the trans...

I don't think this shop has ever worked on Ford transmissions from an Explorer.

Warning sign

 

[Exp-Wi.]

There are lots of posts with some good info on the a4ld front pump problem. You should do a search and read up on the problem, so that you can have an informed conversation with whomever you decude to have do the work for you. just do a search on "pump seal" I think that's what I used. Good luck.

 

[eclipse5302]

Originally posted by Mikes95XLT
He said he wasn't sure where the pump was located.

Ummm, yeah...

Have they worked on any transmission before?

 

[Mikes95XLT]

UPDATE #2

Got the truck back today. New ball joints (no clunking!! ) so that's that. I didn't have them do my trans work. HOWEVER, get this. When I had taken it in for some reason he thought I had said to look at the back brakes. Good thing he thought that, because my passenger side rear caliper was stuck, and the side caliper pin has been eating through the rotor! There's about a 1/2" groove dug into my rotor on the inside of it. SO now I need new back brakes and rotors, not to mention the caliper service.

TRANS: So I made an appointment for the Ford dealer Tuesday for them to drop it and pressure test the pump, and check the seal. SteveVB, I will also ask them about the converter pilot and pilot bushing as well.

Oh, BTW, the shop also installed my shackles for me for free, and did a small TT and alingment.

Thanks for all your help so far.

 

[410Fortune]

rear caliper has bolts not slide pins. I do not see how the bolt can eat into the rotor........

 

[Mikes95XLT]

Originally posted by 410Fortune
I do not see how the bolt can eat into the rotor........

Me either, but it did. When I get the back rotors replaced, I will try to take pics for you so you can see what I mean.