Tranny fluid out of starter while running

[wadeseward]

Driving my 1992 Ford Explorer 4.0l 4X4 at work and started to have an issue with the starter, would not engage on flywheel but would spin. About a half hour later I smelled some form of fluid, turns out it was ATF and there was a huge trail and puddle underneath my wagon, climbed underneath and found it was coming out a small square hole in my starter while running, I searched the forum but cant get anything similar. Anyone else every had this happen? Wondering if its a major or minor fix.

Thanks

 

[crazymind]

If your sure its atf than the only reason I can think were UT could be is that front seal or if you have an auto is the seal or the torque converter is cracked. But that's just a thought.