My mother-in-law's Lariat 4x4 has a transmission leak.

She just found out. She went to an oil change place.

They check all fluids tho, and the truck ended up being either 4 or 5 quarts low of tranny fluid.

Yet to see the truck, as they are on a small trip away.

Is this looking like a HUGE BAD problem? ANyone else have this problem?

It's a STREET truck, never 4 wheeled.
So it's been treated like a baby, and they drive slow also.

 

Let me just put a few words here in bold to help you understand....

Now, with that said, I would look at it myself. It may be true but they may just be looking to make a quick buck. Look over the transmission and see if you see anything leaking or even seeping. Teach her how to check her own transmission fluid if you think she can. And then tell her to keep an eye on it. Check it at least once a week for the next month.

Just my opinion.

-Matt

P.S. Just a thought: has she noticed the truck shifting weird recently? I would think it would at least slip a bit or not shift right if the fluid was down 4-5 quarts.

 

Well they got back and this morning it's dry again.

Getting ready to look under it, but I still wish somebody has some ideas.

I am not much of a mechanic.

I recommened filling it full, and trading it in.

 

Update, well when I said it was dry, I assumed it was dry because that's what she told me on the phone on the way over. She checked it wrong. I showed her now, in the manual, so she can do it right....

I get there, the fluid level is correct. Checked for leaks, none at the seals, nor the filter pan.

Under the truck is very clean.

I think now that they must of POSSIBLLY not put the correct level in at the factory. Things make me wonder tho, as during the first 36K of miles, she always changed the oil at Ford. Ford is suppose to check all FLUID levels. But lazy shop mechanics at some dealers, so ya never know.


I will test it weekly for them to make sure it stays full.

 

Are you so sure it was down to begin with and they just charged her for additonal fluid? Hopefully they used Mercon V or equivalent if they did top it off. But if it were down that much I would suspect the transmission not to work correctly. I smell something wrong here!

 

It's a place she's been to often actually (relatives in the town she goes to often).

They did NOT even charge her for the tranny fluid. I personally checked her receipt. She was charged the correct price for only a oil/filter change.