Trasmission started pouring out transmission flud the other day. was pulling a small trailer with my HD... I crawled under and it is coming out in the rubber plug area. So what is the worst..and or any ideas. I had resently replace all the fluid and filter. Another questioin I have located a used EOD4 that was suposed to have been rebuilt 20k or so ago. and special requirement to pull the trans and to replace it in my truck. Or is the repair to the leaky trannny something to consider. Thanks

 

Sounds like the front seal is leaking.

Either the seal is old and hard and leaking, or you overheated the tranny which will sometimes cause the fluid to push out thru the seal. Usually the overhating type leak is temporary and goes away til next time.

I woudl check the color and smell of the fludi to see if it has overheated. If it is OK, I might add some fluid and drive it around to see if it keep leaking. If it keeps leaking then you need to replace the seal or the tranny.

Either repair, you will need to pull the tranny to replace the seal or the whole tranny. So you will need a tranny jack and a couple good friends with strong backs to help you get the tranny into the bed of the truck. Trannies are real heavy and you don't want to manhandle one without the jack when you are under the truck.

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson

 

I just went out and checked the tranny fluid and filled it up and now it doesn't leak.....after cooling off for a week. This truck has a hd cooling system and tow package. Any ideas....?? maybe overheated. Now I don't know what I should do. Any ideas? Thanks

 

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but this just happened to me today, too.

My truck is an E-350 motorhome, 460 with an E4OD. I was climbing the mountains on I-70 between Frederick, MD and Breezewood, PA, towing my car on a dolly. Coming down the last mountain I noticed smoke...and pulled off RIGHT QUICK.

As soon as I saw what it was, I shut down the engine. The fluid was nice and red, which I hope is a good sign, and I'm pretty sure I caught the problem before any serious damage occurred. But of course the shops are closed today, and they'll look at it tomorrow morning for me. They commented that I at least need a front seal, of course. Hopefully the rest of the transmission is okay.

Hogdaddy, mine had an occasional leak, too, but I was never able to figure out exactly when it was happening, or where it was leaking from. Now I realize it must've been happening only when the transmission was getting hot, which only really happens when I'm towing. I have the transmission cooler and towing package as well, so clearly that's not enough for us.

I saw another thread about putting a temperature gauge on the line into the transmission cooler...and that makes good sense to me. Gauges aren't that expensive and they'll keep you apprised of what's happening. If the transmission is about to overheat, it's a lot easier and time-effective to pull off and let it cool a while.

I'd say...keep a CLOSE eye on it. If you're planning to do any hard work with it soon, I'd suggest taking it to a transmission shop and having them check it, if you're not familiar with them (like me). Mine was occasionally slow to engage when it was really cold, but otherwise seemed to be acting fine (except for the leak) - I'd gotten lulled into a false sense of security, it seems.

 

Well after a week I decided to unhook and move the trailer and now it does not leak. So what should I do? I don't want to get caught away from home. and have to have it towed. HELP. Thanks

 

If you want to make sure it doesn't happen again, change the front seal in the trans to an aftermarket seal. The factory seal gets soft when it gets hot.
Better trans cooling will also help. The cooler from a 6.0L truck is MUCH bigger and will help a quite a bit.

 

Casey: Thanks for the reply.. couple of questions what aftermarket seal (manufacture/auto part store) brand would you recommend and also where could one find the transmission cooler you are talking about. Thanks

 

A Viton-based forward pump seal is less than 4 bucks from www.bulkpart.com or from a local transmission supply house (most of which deal only with shops)

I've bought parts (including Hayden TranSaver stacked plate coolers) from them and got excellent service and a very good price.

Of course, that seal is going to take a LOT of work (and more parts) to replace.

Steve

 

What he said.

I've seen 6.0L coolers on ebay. The only other places I know to get one would be a salvage yard or a Ford dealer.

 

The truck has a 5.8 and has the factory HD cooling and the extra transmission cooler on the left front top side of the radiator ....So would the hayden and/or the 6.0 give that much better if any better cooling, than the one on the truck now. Also so there is a good change that all I will need is a new front seal. and maybe more cooling? thanks

 

The 6.0L cooler will provide at least twice the cooling as the stock cooler, maybe more. I'm not familiar with the Hayden cooler.

A new seal and better cooling will keep this from happening again.

 

The best transmission cooler is a cheap one.


An old a/c condensor.

Clean it out and install it.
It covers the entire radiator and a pusher fan can also be used.
I have done this many many times when I was in business.

 

I have a related question... I am in the middle of a real pain in the tail feathers job. I have a 1994 F-250 2wd with a 5.0 and E4OD. It experienced the occasional fluid leak as well. So I solved the overheating problems with a New radiator, Hayden flex fan, water pump, and a 180 degree thermostat.

I yanked the transmission in the hope of finding a bad seal.
Sure enough it looks pretty bad.



How in the world do I get the front pump out of that transmission? I can not get it to budge. I have the Viton seal new bushing, Pump gasket tail shaft seal and bushing, now I am stumped. I would appreciate any helpful tips.

Dave "Dogbreath"
Tucson, AZ

 

It isn't necessary to remove the pump for seal replacement.


But if you want to there are 2 bolt holes that are threaded for a slide hammer puller attachment.


Remove the filter first.
It is not for the faint hearted.

http://www.transtar1.com/catView.asp?ID=627

Look in here for a nice blowup of the transmission.

The name is E4OD.

 

Stuart1, Thank you for the link for the catalog and the speedy reply.

I did look very carefully at the pump holes and did not see any of the 9 holes threaded. There was no inspection plate or drain plug installed on this transmission. (for the last 20,000 miles since I bought it)

I wanted to remove the pump in case any crud happened to get in there. It almost looks like some has gotten in.

Everyone I had asked before starting this project said "no tool was needed". It's beginning to look like Murphy is up to his old tricks...