Leaks and vibrations..Help!
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Leaks and vibrations..Help!
Hello all!! I have a 99 F250 LD 5.4 I love this truck , but recently causing me some grief! Last summer i had the front seal of tranny and kit put in due to major leak. I just noticed an oil leak on my shop floor and found out it might be rear main seal on engine.....or ..i hope not ...but maybe head gasket or head problem,but when on hoist also found tranny fluid again..looks like front seal again 7 months and 10,000kms later! I,m also noticing a vibration when the trannny is in OD at about 65kms and i put it under a bit of load...its not a steady vibration ,but more of a pulse,then goes away after 80-85kms/hr. Is it posssible the two are connected..is it maybe a shaft or bushing or bearing , not just a seal problem. Any wisdom woold be appriciated.
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: BC, Canada
Sorry that no one has replied til now.
Usually if the head gasket is leaking you'll see oil above the starter.
I don't remember the last time I saw a rear main seal leak on a 5.4. They usually don't.
You may find that the front transmission seal is leaking again because the pump bushing where the torque converter rides is worn. That's not really too uncommon. With a worn bushing the torque converter can wobble around a bit which can make the seal leak and possibly cause a vibration too.
Or does the vibration at 65 feel more like a shudder? Torque converter clutch shuddering is quite common at around 60-65 kmh just as the torque converter locks.
A bad u-joint or rear end bearing can also cause a vibration like you have too.
Usually if the head gasket is leaking you'll see oil above the starter.
I don't remember the last time I saw a rear main seal leak on a 5.4. They usually don't.
You may find that the front transmission seal is leaking again because the pump bushing where the torque converter rides is worn. That's not really too uncommon. With a worn bushing the torque converter can wobble around a bit which can make the seal leak and possibly cause a vibration too.
Or does the vibration at 65 feel more like a shudder? Torque converter clutch shuddering is quite common at around 60-65 kmh just as the torque converter locks.
A bad u-joint or rear end bearing can also cause a vibration like you have too.
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Thank you Dave I have since found out the oil leak is in fact a head gasket. Getting i tfixxed properly with removing and planining heads ,then new gaskets. S far as the tranny ,is it possible to have the bushing replaced ,or should i put in a rebuilt tranny? Any input would be appreciated before i spend some serios dough!! Thanx
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: BC, Canada
If all that's wrong is the bushing is worn then yes it can be replaced. The torque converter snout may be worn too from the bushing. If it is then it will need to be replaced as well.
If where you live is anything like where I live I would have the transmission tech at your dealership check it out for you rather than a transmission shop.
If where you live is anything like where I live I would have the transmission tech at your dealership check it out for you rather than a transmission shop.
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Dave do you recommend just the converter and bushing be replaced ,or a a complete tranny rebuild? I would think it would be less$$$ with just the bushing and converter. Any info would be appreciated. The tech i spoke with seems to think replacing the whole tranny is the way to go. I just had the front seal and pump kit and o rings and gaskets replaced 7 months..10,000 kms ago due to leaking. I'm a lttle overwhelmed that this tranny is leaking again! Any info would be very helpful...Thank you.
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: BC, Canada
That's one of those "it depends" things.
How many miles on the transmission? Is the oil burnt at all? Any signs of slippage?
Is your tech reputable or is he like some transmission shops that never want to fix anything but only want to replace?
How many miles on the transmission? Is the oil burnt at all? Any signs of slippage?
Is your tech reputable or is he like some transmission shops that never want to fix anything but only want to replace?
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Dave.. There are 114,000 kms on the truck about 10,000 since the last repair. The tranny is doing some strange things..such as; in cold weather it won't go in to final drive or lock up until i have driven about 5 or 6 miles..but does't do this in the warm weather. There is the vibration or shutter issue as well. As far as burt fluid it was replaced only 10,000 kms ago. I spoke to tech again today about the bushing and converter only replacement , he seems to think there is more to it then those two things. As far as his reputation , this is the first time he has done any repairs for me,but he comes recommended by a tech i have known for years and do trust.
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Dave ...Also when at shop today got new plugs to put in while heads are on bench after plane job (easier to install this way) The Ford dealer gave me a plug called Fine Wire Platinum , they said these were replacing the double platinum plugs....are they going to be as good as the double platinums??
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: BC, Canada
Sounds like you've probably found a good tech there based on recommendations. He's there and can see the truck first-hand which is better than we can do here so he probably knows what's best 
Motorcraft spark plugs have changed up a few times lately and the new ones seem to be at least as good as the older ones.
Motorcraft spark plugs have changed up a few times lately and the new ones seem to be at least as good as the older ones.