Notices
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  

Trany Leak??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 11, 2008 | 11:04 PM
  #1  
texaslawman54's Avatar
texaslawman54
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Question Trany Leak??

I pulled my Dad's 1950 Chevy 3100 truck from Hico to Dallas which was right at 100 miles. My 1997 F250 2 wheel drive auto pulled just fine couldnt even tell it was back there on the trailer. But when I got to my house my trany was leaking fluid right dead center and where the trany meets the engine. It stopped leaking when I turned off the truck then started when I cranked her up again. I followed the leak trail and it started about 100 yards down my drive way where it becomes a pretty steep incline there was nothing before that. I checked my fluid its nice and clean and red and dosent smell burnt and the fluid level looks normal???? After I unloaded and unhooked the trailer I moved the truck to get a closer look and it wasent leaking any more??? So I just drove it about 50 miles unloaded no leaks ran and drove fine and the fluid leve showed normal hot?? Any ideas??? Im supposed to go pick up a load of horses wendsday 1000 miles empty then 1000 miles back loaded about 8,000 9,000 lbs now this has me kind of worried... Ive had the truck for a couple of months now but this was the first load I pulled and it was a company truck before I got it that was never used to tow. She has 130,000 miles.


Thanks for any ideas...
 
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2008 | 12:29 AM
  #2  
ron86toy's Avatar
ron86toy
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 0
From: Gladwin,Mi
Mine does after pulling a heavy load....or working it more than normal(80+ mph for a couple hrs).......my '99 did the same and my Dads '00 does it under the same conditions......I figured it was just normal so I really never investigated it
 
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2008 | 01:15 AM
  #3  
joe_13894's Avatar
joe_13894
Fleet Mechanic
15 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 2
From: The boonies by Dallas OR
This is a very common failure on the E4OD. The original front seal leaks at high temperature. Over time, the temperature it leaks at drops lower and lower. The new seals take high temperatures much better. If you don't tow much, you probably can get away with this for quite a while. If you tow regularly, it's going to degrade fairly quickly.

The seal is only $6 and takes a few minutes to swap out. Unfortunately, you have to drop the tranny to reach the seal. It was about 6 hours for me to do it.
 
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2008 | 11:46 AM
  #4  
texaslawman54's Avatar
texaslawman54
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Well drove it around again today and nothing.... The trany dip stick still shows high I think there was to much fluid in there and it came out the overflow. Im going to instal a trany cooler just in case though... Every one I talked to said it is highly unlikely for the seal to reseal especialy with the volume that was coming out....
 
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2008 | 03:02 PM
  #5  
c00nhunterjoe's Avatar
c00nhunterjoe
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,608
Likes: 13
From: Belair md
typicly they fail when the trans is overheated, odds are even though the fluid isnt burnt yet that something is slipping, most likly in your case, the converter.
 
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2008 | 04:15 PM
  #6  
Epd444's Avatar
Epd444
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 750
Likes: 1
My F350 does the same thing. If i drive around town, shes good. I towed a trailer the other day and got home and big puddle under her. It only does it when it gets hot. My trucks not my daily driver so I'm holding off on it right now
Also our 2000 E350 diesel does the same dang thing.
 
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2008 | 06:52 PM
  #7  
joe_13894's Avatar
joe_13894
Fleet Mechanic
15 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 2
From: The boonies by Dallas OR
Originally Posted by texaslawman54
Every one I talked to said it is highly unlikely for the seal to reseal especialy with the volume that was coming out....
That's exactly what the temperature related softening does. The seal is dealing with pump pressure, so when it opens, a large volume will come out. It won't leak again until it gets hot again.

If you don't tow much, you may get away with several years before you have to replace the seal.
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:31 AM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE