trans fluid leak!!!

Discussion in 'Technical' started by random hero, Mar 15, 2009.

  1. random hero

    random hero 1972 ford maverick I6

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    ok so i noticed some trans fluid leaking, and the fluid is on the back bolts of the trans pan, cross member, and a few other things, but no farther forward than the rear trans pan bolts...i want to say it's the trans gasket, but thats just me hoping...lol. i did have very bad vibrations in the car from bad u-joints, which have been replaced. there is still slight vibration but not to bad. where could this fluid be leaking from?
     
  2. Mavman72

    Mavman72 Gone backwards but lookin' forward

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    Trans pan gasket...speedo cable...tail shaft housing gasket...end seal at driveshaft yoke...
     
  3. 408w-maverick

    408w-maverick Member

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    dipstick tube...
     
  4. greasemonkey

    greasemonkey Burnin corn

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    All very good possibilities.
     
  5. lika

    lika SeƱor Comet

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    metal hoses from around the transmission
     
  6. 71gold

    71gold Frank Cooper Supporting Member

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    i think...the bad u-joint beat the ...tailshaft bushing and seal...to the point it vibrates and leaks...

    ...or time to replace the washer bottle fluid...

    ...:yup:...
     
  7. random hero

    random hero 1972 ford maverick I6

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    how easily is that changed...you really think it's the tail shaft housing seal? the substantial amount of fluid is at the rear of the trans pan, much further forward from the tailshaft housing...any ways to tell? my speedo cable has been squeaking a whole lot in my dash. atleast i got a few places to check, thanx for all the help guys, hopefully i can get all of this figured out soon :drive:
     
  8. CornedBeef4.6L

    CornedBeef4.6L no longer here

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    Best way to tell is put up in the air on a lift or 4 Jack stands
    Clean all the old fluid off with a good cleaner like Brake clean.
    Start Car put in gear and start watching for the leak.....
    It may take a bit but it should be visible after a while...
     
  9. PaulS

    PaulS Member extrordiare

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    It would also help to pinpoint the leak if you use a black light (UV).
    The transmission fluid will glow in the black light and you can trace it right to the leak. Just remember that the oil will always flow down or across but rarely up. That means the leak is from the highest place you see the oil.
     
  10. scooper77515

    scooper77515 No current projects.

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    Cool! I never knew about trans fluid glowing under UV light! Great idea.:thumbs2:
     
  11. random hero

    random hero 1972 ford maverick I6

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    i found it, it's one of my cooler lines, i guess it rattled loose, i put in an external cooler (went to take the radiator out and the lines were so rusty i just cut them and flared them) b/c it has the rubber lines do u think it will rattle loose again, or were the bad u-joints the more likely cause. thanx for all the help guys
     
  12. PaulS

    PaulS Member extrordiare

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    Did you use 200 psi hose to connect the lines? If you used fuel line then get some transmission cooler hose and put that on instead - FAST! fuel line will not hold the cooling pressure for long and when it fails it will drain your transmission fast.
    The rattle and vibrations of driving down the road - in addition to the bad joints could be the cause. The easy fix is to coat the threads and tubing flare with Loc-Tite or Permatex 518 sealant and then tigten the fittings.
     
  13. sierra grabber

    sierra grabber Certifiable

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    that is one of the pain points i am trying to get sealed as well. also you may want to check the band adjustment bolts directly beneath the rear cooler line as they have a tendancy to drip a little. also the shifter shaft and kickdown.
     
  14. PaulS

    PaulS Member extrordiare

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    If you loosen the band adjustments you may need to replace the lock nuts because the seals on them don't like to be disturbed and the seals are not replaceable.
     
  15. random hero

    random hero 1972 ford maverick I6

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    i bought the cooler from napa, it came with all the proper hardware, also, it took me much longer than expected to fix the leak. there was no room to fit the wrench in....i had to take a grinder to 2 of my wrenches...first one was the wrong size...lol.
     

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