Thanks again, everyone for sharing your knowledge.
You are my only reliable source of info while I'm trying to keep my Aero-89 XL in shape.

My tranny has developed a bad front seal leak. I want to hear your opinion as to wether it is due to fail.
Engine: 3.0L, trans: A4LD, both have 100.000 miles only.
I have had 2 incidents where the fluid have come out of the front. Both occured during last summer's hottest days going uphill for long stretches.
The fluid had gone brown both times.
Since then I've installed another external trans-oil-cooler and changed filter and fluid. There was little to none grime in the trans pan. Tranny shifts very smooth and stable, no slipping, (although very soft...), stays in OD over 40-45.
A month ago I noticed a small drip in driveway. I added some "Automatic tranny sealer" and it got better, then much worse. I'm sure the front seal has gone wishy-washy from the "sealer" fluid...
My local Ford dealer/repair shop states "little trouble with these trannies", the local Tranny specialist says "ONLY trouble with these trannies".

Is the tendency to run hot a sign of wear? Has the heat done much harm?
Is the broken seal a sign of wear/heat?

What say You? Fix seal? Get another used trans? Rebuild? New?

Thank You!

 

It is not uncommon for a transmission to overheat in the summer and lose fluid through the front pump seal. Adding the in-line cooler was prudent but it sounds like the damage may have been done already. If it is any consolation, our 2000 Subaru here at work has the same problem on really hot (95+ degrees) days in the summer - overheating the transmission (with cooler) and puking fluid all over the exhaust pipes - rather hard to miss.

From your description, the transmission otherwise appears in good shape and has fairly low mileage for the year. Were it me, I would try one more go around with the sealer and failing that, replace just the pump seal.

 

Thank You again!
No wonder these pages lists as F.T.ENTHUSIASTS.Forum. Sometimes the only way to live with a van is to be enthusiastic. And to have at least one other person tell you "it will work"... I will try!

 

What a coquinsedence,sorry for the spelling,I have a 94 and the same has just happened. I checked the level and saw it had too much,drained some and brought it back to it's proper level, wishing for a miracle. I'll try to keep in touch,I must agree with Areocolorado worth another chance.Keep in touch.
Mojo Hobo

 

I took your good advice and had the front seal replaced by a shop.
I wasn't in a hurry, got a good price and they did it when they had the time in between other work. Cost: $350 with new fluid and filter. Not bad for our Norwegian cost level.

I've driven it for a cpl of days, and it seems to be holding the fluid very well.

BUT today during a 20mile trip after stopping at a light it hesitated and clunked into gear with a grinding noise. In "D". The grinding and hesitation persisted and occurred also in "R"
I had the band adjustment checked yesterday on both bands. Unfastened locknuts and torqued nuts, backed off 2 turns again, fastened locknuts. Seemed like both were within specs.

I really really hope someone has a precise diagnose for this!
I'm trying to keep this van running in good shape....

 

For Starters... To my knowledge reverse and low gear (first) are controlled by the same band... this explains the coincidence between starting from a stop and in reverse.. I am actually going through the exact same problem with my Toyota Cressida, This indicates a serious tranny issue which i believe is caused by a chewed up gear in the planetary set, My toyota also does this only in reverse and low or when starting from a stop, that is because all of these functions are on one band and planetary gearset.. 2nd,3rd,and overdrive are separate... Hopefully i am wrong but I think its gonna be time for a new tranny soon. Good Luck