First off, I know this isn't exactly the right forum to post this in, but the guys over in the NBS forum aren't near as helpful as all my OBS buddies.

I have a few issues on my E99 truck that I bought to replace my 96, but first let me tell you about the truck. Its a red E1999 F-250 XLT 4x4 CCSB. It is originally from UT, then spent a little time in CO, then to IN back in 2010, and I just bought it from the guy that imported it from out west. The guy I bought it from used it mainly in the summer to pull a TT. He put just 25,000 miles on it in 6 years. Its got a little surface rust on the frame that I plan to do something about, and the clear coat is peeling in just a few spots.

This truck is my sacrificial winter driver, so mods (and hopefully repairs) will be minimal.

So now its time for my first question/issue. When I looked at the truck I noticed a drip of ATF coming off the inspection cover. I assumed it was the front seal. I asked him about it, and he said the only time it ever left ATF on the ground was one time when it was parked nose down on a steep incline. Fast forward to just before RRE. The dipstick which is a PITA to read showed the level in the middle of the cold zone, i think, while warm and running in park. I added 2 quarts of ATF to get it into the Hot full area. I come home from RRE to a puddle of ATF under the truck. I appeared to be coming out from around the dipstick tube. I drove the truck around, and the leak has stopped and the level is back to the middle of the Cold fill area when warm.

So my question is: When properly filled is the level of the fluid supposed to be that high? AND, I'm assuming there must be an o-ring or something there that holds in the fluid, right? I can move the tube my hand about 1/8" side to side in the hole.

 

If its from the inspection cover most likely the pump seal( where the tc extension rides on) or the tc shaft is worn out.

 

The massive leak that occurred while I was at RRE was clearly from the seal or o-ring or whatever around the dipstick tube where it comes into trans.

 

Yes, there is an oring on the dipstick tube where it goes into the trans..... at least there is supposed to be

 

Seeing how you added a couple quarts and was greeted by a puddle my guess is like Brian, O ring on the dipstick is bad or missing.