So, saw some drip marks on driveway. Looked under truck. The bottom of the heat exchanger between the oil pan and transmission pan was wet with transmission fluid.

Any ideas?

I cleaned it off and will see if it repeats. Need to do an oil change in about 600 miles anyway.
2022 7.3 w 10R140

 

check the lines to and from the exchanger is my first thought.

What about all the trans pan bolts? All dry?

 

I have a skid plate installed but the transmission pan and all the bolts look dry to me.

 

Let it run for a bit and then went back under to look. Fluid on one of the lines going to transmission heater/cooler. Will call dealer tomorrow.

 

Yeah line is leaking.

 

I have an appointment next week (during my vacation).

I will swing by dealer this afternoon and discuss and maybe they can get parts before next week. I would rather not be without truck for extended period (hard to tow boat with wife’s car).

And driving it without a dipstick to keep an eye on the levels is not a comfortable feeling either.

 

I had fluid as high as the top of my starter and it was the torque converter seal. They had to drop the trans and refill with fluid. Kinda sad that starts leaking by 30k miles. I had high hopes for my trans because it is supposedly built post-CDF drum fix. I dont beat on my truck and still take it easy while towing so I suspect we will see a lot more of these leaks as people put more miles on these. Definitely a PITA if you have to do this repair at home or on your own dime.

 

Mine is dry up high. So hopeful that this is just a line or heat exchanger leak.

 

Well, went by the dealer today. I have an appointment on 5/16. Sucks that I will be without truck during my vacation. Anyway, they said that they see more torque convertor seals than transmission cooler leaks.

And they said that appointment on Thursday doesn't mean that they will get to it on Thursday. Anyway, my skid plate will have to come off and then they can clean it up, drive it, and see if they can find where leak is coming from.

I cleaned the cover for the cooler/heat exchanger off last night and it is very wet again this afternoon after 50 miles. If I didn't have the skid plate installed, I would remove the cover to see if I could see more of the leak.

So, minimal driving till I get it to dealer since there is no way to tell how low I am on fluid.

 

yeah that is looking pretty bad now. You can check the level with the fluid at 192F. there is a service port on the side of the trans that will show it to you. But best to leave it alone at this point I think.

 

Well, dropped at dealer this am. Not comfortable driving it without a dipstick to keep an eye on levels. They say at least a week, more if it has to go to transmission techs (seal). And you don’t get in line until you drop truck off. Crazy.

Hope they can fix quickly.

 

So after sitting at dealer for a week (truck has to be there to be in line, crazy). They got it on a lift and said, "Oh yeah. transmission cooler is leaking". Should have part Monday or Tuesday.

 

well at least it will get repaired.