Leaking ATF
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Canmore, Alberta, Canada
Leaking ATF
Hi. On a road trip and discovered a stream of red fluid following me. I thought it was maybe boiling over or filled too full but tranny temp gauge hasn't moved.
Any ideas what it could be or how to diagnose more? Maybe something simple that doesn't require a huge transmission bill?
It's a 2002 7.3L with the automatic.
Thanks
Torie
Any ideas what it could be or how to diagnose more? Maybe something simple that doesn't require a huge transmission bill?
It's a 2002 7.3L with the automatic.
Thanks
Torie
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 738
From: Isanti, MN
Hi Torie,
You're gonna have to take a look underneath to see where the fluid is coming from. It's not uncommon to have the front seal fail which can cause this, but there are other places that can leak as well.
You're gonna have to take a look underneath to see where the fluid is coming from. It's not uncommon to have the front seal fail which can cause this, but there are other places that can leak as well.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 776
Likes: 3
From: Philly, PA USA
yes it can be bad to have a leak for at least 2 reasons: 1. depending on severity of the leak, if system is run too low, damage to the pump among other internal trans parts will occur 2. can be fire hazzard
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Canmore, Alberta, Canada
I pulled the dust cover from the flywheel area as it seems like the oil is coming from the hole on the bottom. However it's hard to know for sure as everything is wet. It seemed wet on the transmission side of the flywheel and dry on engine side...but not as wet as I would expect given the amount of oil leaking.
It leaked for sure Thursday but I didn't notice it again until tonight. Both nights there was a full on puddle underneath that stopped dripping eventually. But when starting and driving again an hour later, no noticeable leak.
Any thoughts on the wisdom of adding a "stop leak" product? Transmission oil seems to be "full". Can these be checked on level ground with the truck off or does it need to be checked running and in gear? Dipstick has a cold and hot level indicator.
Thanks
Torie
It leaked for sure Thursday but I didn't notice it again until tonight. Both nights there was a full on puddle underneath that stopped dripping eventually. But when starting and driving again an hour later, no noticeable leak.
Any thoughts on the wisdom of adding a "stop leak" product? Transmission oil seems to be "full". Can these be checked on level ground with the truck off or does it need to be checked running and in gear? Dipstick has a cold and hot level indicator.
Thanks
Torie
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,704
Likes: 2,625
From: SE Florida
The stop leak products are not a good idea. Don't use them.
The transmission MUST be checked warmed up idling in park or neutral. The cold mark on the dipstick is meaningless.
The transmission MUST be checked warmed up idling in park or neutral. The cold mark on the dipstick is meaningless.
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 776
Likes: 3
From: Philly, PA USA
^^ +1. I agree with Mark in regards to checking fluid level. Don't want to check fluid IN gear for possibility of getting run over.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
I pulled the dust cover from the flywheel area as it seems like the oil is coming from the hole on the bottom. However it's hard to know for sure as everything is wet. It seemed wet on the transmission side of the flywheel and dry on engine side...but not as wet as I would expect given the amount of oil leaking.
It leaked for sure Thursday but I didn't notice it again until tonight. Both nights there was a full on puddle underneath that stopped dripping eventually. But when starting and driving again an hour later, no noticeable leak.
Any thoughts on the wisdom of adding a "stop leak" product? Transmission oil seems to be "full". Can these be checked on level ground with the truck off or does it need to be checked running and in gear? Dipstick has a cold and hot level indicator. Don't check the trans when cold.
Thanks
Torie
It leaked for sure Thursday but I didn't notice it again until tonight. Both nights there was a full on puddle underneath that stopped dripping eventually. But when starting and driving again an hour later, no noticeable leak.
Any thoughts on the wisdom of adding a "stop leak" product? Transmission oil seems to be "full". Can these be checked on level ground with the truck off or does it need to be checked running and in gear? Dipstick has a cold and hot level indicator. Don't check the trans when cold.
Thanks
Torie
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 776
Likes: 3
From: Philly, PA USA
He really doesn't know if it's truly full or not.... he didn't even know how to properly check fluid to begin with. If he checked fluid level with vehicle OFF the level will read much higher than actually in there.
Not trying offend I was just making a valid point in response to post#9 above
Not trying offend I was just making a valid point in response to post#9 above
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Canmore, Alberta, Canada
He really doesn't know if it's truly full or not.... he didn't even know how to properly check fluid to begin with. If he checked fluid level with vehicle OFF the level will read much higher than actually in there.
Not trying offend I was just making a valid point in response to post#9 above
Not trying offend I was just making a valid point in response to post#9 above
I'll buy a jug of ATF and check it every hour of my 4 hour trip home and then get it checked out properly. Thanks for all the help and ideas.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,758
Likes: 3
From: Colorado
Fair enough. First automatic. I "thought" there was something about checking it in drive obviously with a helper in the brake but now I know. Level when checked warm with truck idling in park is right at the end of the dipstick.
I'll buy a jug of ATF and check it every hour of my 4 hour trip home and then get it checked out properly. Thanks for all the help and ideas.
I'll buy a jug of ATF and check it every hour of my 4 hour trip home and then get it checked out properly. Thanks for all the help and ideas.
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Canmore, Alberta, Canada
UPDATE
Well I made the 5 hour trip. I put 2.5L of ATF in to get it up to the correct level. I didn't seem to lose any today. Strange. I'll be able to investigate further now that I am home.
Thanks for the help,
Torie
Thanks for the help,
Torie
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
Intermittent leak, just keep an eye on it.
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