Yesterday my truck started pissing out transmission fluid through what looks like a hole for a drain plug on the transmission fluid pan? Of course, I was miles into the woods, and we only brought one truck. But I was able to put more fluid into, and make a jerry rigged plug to get home. I don't know much about transmissions especially autos, but I have a few questions hopefully someone can answer. Ever since i bought this truck, I wondered about the hole in the bottom of the pan, but it never leaked fluid, and I was already fixing many other problems with the truck and simply forgot about it.
Should there always be transmission fluid in the pan?
If a lot of the fluid is in the pan, will it not be able to be used in the transmission, and cause more damage to the transmission internals?
Main question is, do I need to take the truck to a transmission shop? Or could I just find a more fitting plug? I will take off the transmission fluid pan today, and see if I can find the problem. Any help would be appreciated.

 

This very scenario is in this thread: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...nny-fluid.html

Your issue is very common when the transmission is overheated.

 

Yes, there is always fluid in the pan. If there isn't fluid in the pan the trans won't engage and the truck won't move. So the hole you plugged is not in the pan, it's somewhere else.

There is a vent at the front of the trans on the bottom of the bellhousing. It's just behind the engine. I suspect that's what you plugged. You can remove the plug you put in, it's not keeping the trans from leaking, it's keeping it from dropping on the ground. It will find another way to drip.

The problem is the torque converter hub seal. Unfortunately the trans has to come out to change it. At the same time the bushing behind the seal must be changed. It's a $5 part and there is no reason to keep the old one. Also, the hub on the torque converter has to be PERFECT or the new seal is going to leak, too.

 

Thanks for the replies so fast. From what I saw on the other thread is that after they let their truck cool down, it was fine to drive again. I don't know if it would make a significant difference, but when it started leaking it was probably almost 95 outside, and I had to get over a few rocks. So it was probably getting pretty hot. But from what you're saying Mark, it seems like I definitely need to replace that torque converter hub seal. But knowing that someone would have to drop the transmission, that seems pretty expensive. I'm on a pretty limited budget. You're right about the dripping coming from the vent, not the pan.

 

Do it yourself. The trans ain't hard to remove, you can do it with common hand tools and a jack.

Converter hub seal... I ain't ever replaced one but I'd imagine all you might need is a seal driver set which if you don't have you can usually use a deep socket to drive seals with.

 

you can use just a little hammer.it's a bit aggravating to tap around it just right to get it to start even but,once it does it just taps right in.

you don't need to replace the bushing if it looks ok.that's a bit of a job best left to professionals (or to those who wish to learn and have great patience and can also afford to risk ruining a pump - AKA me lol.)

kcoburn1, just get yourself a trans temp gauge.remove the factory aux cooler and install one of these in it's place;

and your seal may never leak again.since you didn't have a temp reading,we don't know if it was normal for the seal to leak or not (got too hot) so start with that is my recommendation.
then if it ever leaks again while your trans runs under 225F (with the sender at the test port) then you'll know,you'll need to replace the seal.

 

Get a seal driver kit, yes a small hammer or mallet will work, BUT, proper driver allows for better and easier alignment and a good bit more impact force to hasten the proccess.