tranny fluid leaking out bottom of casing where it bolts to engine. PLEASE HELP.

[1991Xplorer]

I got stuck the other day in my 91 explorer 4x4 and had to really horse it back and forth to get out. I finally got out, but noticed I was leaking a nice stream of transmission fluid down the road after I pulled into my drive way. I looked under the truck to see it coming steadily out of the bottom of the transmission housing, where it bolts up to the engine. Right there where the 2 meet and bolt together she is leaking out the bottom. Do any of you out there have any idea what I could have done. I would like to tackle it and fix it myself im a decent wrench but dont know where to begin. I read through the haynes manul to try and figure it out and am stuck. Some friends of mine say theres a seal in there I could have just blown and thats its running to the bottom of the casing and leaking out of it?? Any help would be greatly appreciated, im out of commision and would love to try and fix it.

 

[sncwfo99]

It sounds like you tore up the seal. It will probably take you longer to get the tranny out than it will to change the seal. Hit up Opera House on here, he seems to know quite a bit about trannies.

 

[Joey P]

Yeah that sounds like your front seal. You will need to get the tranny removed to replace it if that's it and that should run you around $700 or so I think to have a shop do it, otherwise if you do it yourself it will be WAY less.

 

[Blee1099]

Sounds like a front seal.. Time to drop the tranny & replace the seal & while your at it, I would replace all the seals & change the filter out...

 

[1991Xplorer]

is it true once i remove the tranny, that you can't tell if the seal is what the problem is by looking at it? some one told me that all you can do is replace it put it all back together and then see. is that true?? what is the name of the seal? if you guys could please help me out that but be extremely appreciated.

 

[410Fortune]

I just went through this.

First off it was not said in the thread so I just want to confirm it is an automatic correct?

(BEcause a 5 speed can leak hydraulic fluid too)

the front pump seal is what these guys are talking about.
the transmission MUST be removed to get to the seal.

Knowing that, you need to decide if you can drop the tranny yourself or not. It is not impossible for an average mechanic to do, but it does require some work and some tools that you may or may not have.

 

[1991Xplorer]

so this just happend to you huh? sucks, but hey its gotta be fixed i guess. yea it is an automatic, so its the front pump seal possibly? But can I tell by looking at it once the tranny is removed that its bad? Or can all I do is replace it put it back together and see what happens? The truck is here up on the jack stands so im gonan try and tackle it with a buddy. Did you do yours yourself? Thanks for writing me.

 

[410Fortune]

Yes it happened to me.
Yes I do all my own work, in fact I converted my truck from a 5 speed to the A4LD auto myself so this is not foreign to me.

You will have to take the bellhousing to a tranny shop to have the seal replaced.

Have you ever removed an automatic transmission before?
You have to remove the starter to get to the 4 torque converter/flywheel bolts. You have to turn the engine over at the crankshaft pully (balancer on front of engine) to get to the bolts through the starter hole.

the main cause of pump seal failure is excessive runout on the torque converter hub. You will need to have the converter checked for runout, and possibly replace it.

When they say front pump seal, they dont mean a gasket. It is a Bronze seal or race that is press fitted into the tranny bellhousing.

If you do a search on this site you can find out all about it, it is a very common failure with the A4LD.

 

[utmustang88]

I experienced the same problem with the tranny fluid coming out of the bellhousing. Actually i just got my transmission out March 11 2004 and i wrote up a post on my experience on taking my transmission out...1996 4x4 auto. Look for the "3-6-04 removal in progress" on this board and you will see what i went through. they are not perfect directions but it should give you a good idea on how to do things .

i am currently looking for ideas/help as to what to do next as to this leak. someone people say a tranny shop is necessary to replace this seal...but i will search more. keep us updated as to your progress as well!

 

[410Fortune]

The reason the shop is required for the seal replacement is because:

1. the torque converter hub MUST be checked for excessive runout. You dont want it to leak again do you?
If the hub is not within tolerences the converter must be replaced. Again you dont want it to leak again, do you?

2. The seal MUST Be pressed in place PERFECTLY. I seriously doubt you have a press in your garage, if you did you wouldnt be asking how to remove the tranny or what is causing the leak.

There are several methods of replacing the seal out there, sometimes it is necessary to bore out the bellhousing and press in a sleeve, then press in the new seal, sometimes it is necessary to press in an oversized seal and hone it out for the proper fit.

The more research you do the more educated you will be on what and why tis is happening, so when you go to the shop to have the work done, you will know if you are talking to the right people. I am by no means an expert but I have been through this twice with teh A4LD to date.

There is a TON of info on this board about the front pump seal, these guys will get you in the right direction.

It is pointless to go through all the trouble of dropping your own tranny to then just do a half assed job of fixing the problem. You NEED the help of a shop who can perfrom the required repair properly, or you will be right back where you started sooner then you think.....

 

[utmustang88]

410Fortune i like your wise words here....always appreciated.