Did a search and only found that the fluid DOES spill over when it overheats.
My question is, what is causing it to overheat? Also found a couple threads that said it doesn't always make sense to change the torque converter (which might cause the fluid to spill over because of overheating).
Just don't want to spend thousands rebuilding a transmission when I don't have to. The truck only has 74k on it and i don't tow anything.

Thanks.

 

Too much heat causes it to overheat!

It's the front seal on the tranny that leaks. You can get a tranny shop to replace it or do it yourself. I know there's at least one person that wrote about doing it himself.

Mine started leaking and I had the seal replaced but it was too late. I guess I had already cooked more and after the tranny seal was replaced, the filter kept getting stopped up. It was toast.

 

It sounds like a front seal going out. If it is filled to the correct level it is near impossible for the fluid to expand that much and boil out the vent. Fix the seal now before you lose the whole tranny.

 

Is this a 4R100 we're talking about?
Does the tranny need to be separated from the engine for the seal replacement?

 

Yes the tranny must be pulled from the engine.

 

Thanks Mike.
I've noticed a little fluid on my driveway lately. Hope I can get away with a seal replacement.

 

If it's the front seal, it will leak right on the exhaust pipe (V10) and smoke like crazy.

 

Yep. That's exactly what's happening. Thanks.

 

The GOOD; The seal you need is less than $20

The BAD: Unless you are comfortable with pulling the trans or know someone that can do it the labor is the most $$$. I was quoated around $700 to replace the seal and bushing. that also included a power flush in the radiator trans cooler and new fluid. You may need the bushing behind the seal also. It can push the seal out and make it leak.

The question is how hard to you push it. I didnt want to take a chance with the torque converter. And since it was around $1500 or so for the converter and seal job that only had a 1yr warrety I chose to have the trans rebuilt. Please understand this is for my piece of mind and you will probably get many more miles from your trans. My X has 92k miles and I use it to pull my 32' TT. After the trip I need to back it up my driveway which is fairly steep. The first time i did this is when I puked the fluid from the seal. So for me a Heavy Duty rebuild and a 3yr warrenty was worth it.

The other thing I highly recomend and should have done first my self is to install a 6.0 trans cooler. They are a bit pricey but worth every penny. I have noticed my temps went down a lot. This wlll also help from boiling over.

Good luck and enjoy the X

 

Would have loved. $700 quote! I was quoted $1295. $3000 to add the torque converter in a rebuild.

 

It's not a difficult job at all if you have the time and tools. I did it myself last summer. It took me 10-12 hours working alone, so I figured I was saving $100 per hour or so, which was worth my time. I used my ATV/motorcycle jack and left the transmission and xfer case together. Pneumatic impact is handy for disassembly. Torque wrench for reassembly. 12mm 12 point wrench for the driveshaft flange bolts. $8 for a new seal from the dealer. No leaks since.