I have a 2WD 1995 F-250 7.3L PSD with an E4OD transmission. I noticed when pulling into my driveway a trail of transmission fluid that seemed to go from a drip...drip...drip to a steady stream. I looked underneath the truck and there was a stream of transmission fluid coming out close to the front of the transmission close to the starter and more to the passenger side of the vehicle. Any suggestions? I am rather new to the diesel trucks. Thanks

 

First, check the cooler lines. You may have a loose fitting or a crack. I have also seen the lines rub a hole in it from rubbing against something.

It could also be coming from the dipstick tube or boot where it plugs into the transmission case. Or even a badly leaking pan gasket at the right front corner.

You will need to get a look under it. Make sure its in park and the brake is set.

Steve
'95 Clubwagon XLT

 

The fluid isn't coming out of the front of the bell housing is it? If it is, then you may have a leaky front seal.

Sometimes if the tranny overheats a lot, it will leak fluid out of the bellhousing from the seal. Most of the time when things cool down the seal will work fine again.

Could be other things if it isn't leaking from the housing.

Good luck,

Jim Henderson

 

Clay01,

Have you identified the source of your leak yet? I also am trying to figure out where my E4OD is leaking from. Just finished replacing the front seal (thought sure that's what it was) and it leaks now just as much as it did before. My trans will only leak when driving at above idle. Will not leak if idling in park, drive, or reverse but when you start driving down the road, will leak like a seive.

I can only figure that: 1) I screwed up the new seal I put in, 2) the torque converter may be leaking (although I did check the drain plug in the converter), or 3) the front plate that the seal is pressed into is leaking around the outside edge where it mounts to the front of the trans. I'm sure it's coming from the bellhousing area and those are the only 3 things it could be (I think).

Thought I would share my observations with you to maybe help diagnose your problem.

Please post a reply once you determine the source of your leak.

thanks,
aceryas

 

There are several things that can cause a leak out of the bellhousing.

Obviously, a bad front seal. The neck of the torque converter where the seal rides can actualy crack. The pump body can leak from its O-ring where it fits into the case.

From your symptoms, leaking at anything over idle, I suspect you have spun the pump bushing. This is the bushing that fits in the pump and supports the neck of the torque converter. The pump will have to be pulled out to check this and install a new bushing.

Steve
'95 Clubwagon XLT

 

Clubwagon,

Thanks for the feedback.

When I had my trans out, I looked at the neck of the torque converter. I was looking mainly at the condition of the seal journal but didn't notice any cracks.

The bushing you mention, is this the bushing that is pressed into the front plate (same plate front seal is pressed into, only right behind seal) or is there another bushing further back in the transmission? This front bushing looked fine, actually debated replacing it, but since it looked OK (not scored, spun, etc.) I thought I would take a chance, DOH!

I plan on pulling the trans AGAIN and thought I would try to get as much info this time as possible. Does anyone know where to get a diagram, exploded view, etc of an E4OD transmission?

Clay01, sorry if I highjacked your thread but hopefully some of this info helps you out as well.

thanks again

 

It's pretty small. I don't know if this will be any good to you.

 

There is only one bushing for the neck of the torque conveter and that is the pump bushings. The "plate" as you are calling it that carries the front seal is actually the pump body. Behind the seal is the pump bushing and behind the pump bushing are the pump gears.

When you pull it out the next time look for evidence of where the leak is coming from. Look for traces of fluid from the front seal, arround the edges of the pump, etc... If its coming out of the bellhousing then its either the front seal, torque converter neck or its the O-ring that seals the pump body to the case.

Before you pull it out, I would get under it and find exactly where the leak is comming from. Check the cooler lines, dipstick tube where it pushes into the case, the vent on top, etc...

 

Clubwagon,

Thanks again for the quick response.

I'm sure the leak is coming from the bell housing area. I've spent hours already under the truck watching atf drip out of the torque converter drain plug access hole in the bottom of the trans. I wasn't able to determine the exact source of the leak the last time I had it out as there was so much of it everywhere!!!

Thought I would try to "pressure test" the trans to see where the leak is coming from next time I have it out. Thought I would leave torque converter installed so front seal is making contact against the seal journal and apply slight positive pressure (2-5 psi) to the vent tube to see if I can determine where the leak is coming from. Does this sound like a logical idea? Although, 2-5 psi may not be enough pressure as my trans will not leak @ idle speed. I have no idea what pressures an auto trans pump is capable of, what the pressure differential would be between idle and say 2000 RPM, or what the typical pressures the front seal would see for that matter. I doubt the front seal would ever see full pump pressure as I assume the drain back hole right behind the seal bleeds pressure back to the pan. Please correct me if I'm wrong though.

Stuart1 - thanks for the effort, but you were right - too small to read. I think clubwagon answered my question about the number of bushings in the front of the trans (this is what I was wanting the diagram for anyway).

Thanks again guys for your help.

PS. if you ever have a transfer case question, feel free to drop me a line. I know a heck of alot more about transfer cases (I work for the co. that makes them for F150, navigator, expedition, explorer, & ranger) so maybe I can reciprocate the favor.

 

Applying pressure to the transmission won't work.

Check the condition of the pump bushing.
They have a habit of pulling forward cutting off the drain back hole.

 

Stuart1 is correct, that's why I wondered about the pump bushing being spun. An unexplained front seal leak is a symptom of a spun bushing.

The pump has to come out and apart to replace the bushing. You will also have to replace the front seal again.

Steve
'95 Clubwagon XLT

 

Yes it is leaking from the front of the transmission. It is not from the cooling lines. The strange thing is that the cooler the outside temperature, the less it leaks. A 31 mile trip to work at 6:30 AM yields no leaks, however, the trip home at 4:00 PM ....well, you can follow the drips into my driveway. Short trips yield no leaks. Looks like the price of my $5100 E-Bay find just went up significantly!!

 

Did you figure out what was wrong with our tranny.

 

Just curious, does it happen after the trans gets warm or at any time?

 

I just got the truck yesterday, but they said it only happens in the summer when it gets hot. I was thinking it could be a clogged vent or something. Any ideas?