I have a 2002 SD f350. So lately it has been smelling like transmission fliud in the cab (hot) stinks too. I cleaned the underside a few weeks ago and hosed it all down. I looked again and the pan seal is still dry. It stops for a while then it returns every few weeks or so. I plan on cleaning it again and hosing it down to stop the smell. Where would this come from and can i see it from the bottom after i clean it? The fluid is not burnt and if not low. It still is nice and pink. The main seal was replace at 100 k by the dealers misdiag of the turbo pedestal seals. then they fixed the right seals. I now have 195 k on it. any ideas? thanks Jeff

 

Mine was leaking at the cooler lines in front once. Worth checking anyway.

 

Could it be from the power steering/brake hydraulic system? Same fluid.

Something like a pressure hose pin-hole leak spraying on an exhaust manifold?

Pop

 

was wondering if you found the cause of the smell? Mine is doing same thing.

 

ford had a problem with front seals on e4od and 4r100 transmissions they would leak when they warmed up and not leak when they were cold you could als0 have a bad by pass valve on the side of the tranny causing it to get hot and i could push oil out of the vent no guranteeing this is what it is but thats what i have seen at the tranny shop i work at

 

I think I have found part of the problem. I found some coolant residue/crusty area around the water pump. Every time i would have the smell I would look for any wet area and always found nothing. I looked under the truck as well and it was dry as a bone. My brother has the same truck and had the same issue. He said that the water seal somewher has a small leak that is burning off as fast as it leaks. It is not enough to lower my level. So it must be a pretty small leak. it usually takes at least 30 ,iles before it would start to smell. So I did the taboo fix of using Bars stop leak for now. It hasnet smelled in 4 days yet. I plan on gunking the front of the motor and cleaning the area to see how it holds up. Then in a couple weeks i will be doning a complete antifreeze change out and transmission fluid filter change as well. Maybe the bars will hold up for a while but im sure it will leak again. I just cant find it right now unless I add dye and the uv light trick. Its on the list of things to fix.. Thanks for the Ideas Jeff