Leaking transmission pan
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From: Byron GA
Leaking transmission pan
I changed my tranny fluid about 1,500 miles ago and now all of a sudden the pan started leaking at the back. I'm sure its leaking from between the tranny and the pan cause I can clean it real good and watch it with a bora-scope.
I figured the OEM gasket was bad to I went to the dealer and got another but it did not fix it. While I had the pan down I took a straight edge and the pan looked good except one bolt next to the leaking area is a bit low. I had access to another pan and interestingly it was the same. Right now I have the bolts torqued to about 14 lb/ft and it's still leaking.
Any ideas?
Patrick
I figured the OEM gasket was bad to I went to the dealer and got another but it did not fix it. While I had the pan down I took a straight edge and the pan looked good except one bolt next to the leaking area is a bit low. I had access to another pan and interestingly it was the same. Right now I have the bolts torqued to about 14 lb/ft and it's still leaking.
Any ideas?
Patrick
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From: Byron GA
Update:
Here is a picture of where it is leaking from
It seems to be seeping from between the pan and tranny where I'm pointing, I dont think its the rear seal because I cleaned it very good and there is no fluid higher up.
Patrick
Edit: When you put the pan back on does the gasket and both surfaces need to be dry? I always coat all three in a bit of fluid?
Edit 2: I read on another forum that over tight bolts can dimple the pan around the bolt holes and now that I think of it when I pulled the pan for the first time to do a front seal change I remember thinking OMG these bolts are tight, I wonder if the bolts were over tightned and dimpled the pan? How can I fix that?
Here is a picture of where it is leaking from
It seems to be seeping from between the pan and tranny where I'm pointing, I dont think its the rear seal because I cleaned it very good and there is no fluid higher up.
Patrick
Edit: When you put the pan back on does the gasket and both surfaces need to be dry? I always coat all three in a bit of fluid?
Edit 2: I read on another forum that over tight bolts can dimple the pan around the bolt holes and now that I think of it when I pulled the pan for the first time to do a front seal change I remember thinking OMG these bolts are tight, I wonder if the bolts were over tightned and dimpled the pan? How can I fix that?
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From: Byron GA
Is this a pretty decent pan?
If I wanted to go with something other than the stock one or a Dorman?
How about using a thin bead of this in addition to the gasket?
Gasket Sealants : Permatex® Ultra Rubber Gasket Sealant & Dressing
If I wanted to go with something other than the stock one or a Dorman?
How about using a thin bead of this in addition to the gasket?
Gasket Sealants : Permatex® Ultra Rubber Gasket Sealant & Dressing
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: SE Florida
The pan is a decent piece, but why do you want to spend that much money on a pan? What does it do better than the stock pan? Hint: I don't ask this question without knowing the answer before asking it.
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From: Byron GA
Well an update, I picked up some Permatex gasket sealent on the way home from work and put it on and the pan is still leaking in the smae place which makes me wonder if it is the joint between the tranny and the tail stock that is leaking.
Mark, I was just looking for a pan with a better mounting flange but it doesent look like it will help. on a 4X4 tranny is there fluid in the tail stock? If its leaking from the joint right at my finger tip what does this mean?
Thanks
Patrick
Mark, I was just looking for a pan with a better mounting flange but it doesent look like it will help. on a 4X4 tranny is there fluid in the tail stock? If its leaking from the joint right at my finger tip what does this mean?
Thanks
Patrick
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From: Byron GA
Some pictures, I guess I really cant tell where its leaking from anymore, I havent been this frustrated with this truck ever!
This was how much it leaked in 30 min, the cross member has quite a bit of fluid on it.
This was how much it leaked in 30 min, the cross member has quite a bit of fluid on it.
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Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: SE Florida
I can't make out what that part is that has the big crack. I'm guessing that the crack is where the fluid is coming from.
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Lead Driver
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From: Damon (South East Texas)
The leak appears to be coming from between the tailhousing and the transmission case. The transmission could be raised, remove the housing, replace the gasket, and reinstalled. I would spray the area with brake cleaner, blow it, off with compressed air, and watch it. The pan slightly overlaps the joint and can give the impression the pan gasket is leaking.
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From: Byron GA
The leak appears to be coming from between the tailhousing and the transmission case. The transmission could be raised, remove the housing, replace the gasket, and reinstalled. I would spray the area with brake cleaner, blow it, off with compressed air, and watch it. The pan slightly overlaps the joint and can give the impression the pan gasket is leaking.
im just trying to figure out where all it could be leaking from and what all I should replace while i have it all apart again.
Thanks
Patrick
Lead Driver
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From: Damon (South East Texas)
There is also a plastic orifice that presses into the back of the case that provides lube for the the Park/OSS gear and linkage. The transfer case input shaft seal is double lipped.
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From: Byron GA
Are any of the gaskets better than others? I see Napa has one for $1.25? how about the transfer case seal any better ones of those like there are for the front seal?
Lead Driver
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From: Damon (South East Texas)
The gaskets are pretty much the same. Clean dry surfaces with a light film of RTV wouldn't hurt. I generally install it ”dry” on mine. I have 214k on my transfer case seals and don't intend to change them any time soon. No leaks. No problem. 
Leaving well enough alone.
Leaving well enough alone.
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From: Byron GA
Update: So after work I decided to pull the drain (upper) plug and fluid came gushing out, between what went on the ground and what went in the jug about 2.5 quarts came out. So from what I have read this could be caused by a bad seal?
Lead Driver
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From: Damon (South East Texas)
Yes. It's really the only way the transfer case can overfill with ATF by itself.