Leaking transmission

[jwuonog]

I recently found that I have a very small and slow leak in my transmission. I noticed some red fluid on the heat shield every time I drove. It would especially pool towards the rear of the transmission, sometimes even dripping slightly off of the back portion of the pan.



I removed the heat shield and cleaned the area thoroughly and drove some more, I believe it is actually coming from the front right section of the transmission. I found fluid above where the plastic pan meets the transmission, so I don't think it's the pan gasket.

Any idea what it could be? I know there's a vent in that area. My next possible suspect is the input shaft seal is leaking on that side.

Has anyone ever experienced this leak?

 

[GearHead_1]

Trans cooler? These have been known to leak.

 

[jwuonog]

Trans cooler? These have been known to leak.

I wish it was that, it would be an easy fix.

I looked on the driver's side and the cooler area, it looked pretty good.

 

[jwuonog]

Here's the passenger front corner. When I put a dry paper towel in that area above the pan, it came back with red fluid on it.



Cooler lines seem ok.

 

[MKdude]

im experiencing a leak with a hose by the transmission it has a white plastic plug and is slowly leaking

 

[jwuonog]

Had an appointment with the dealer today, but their transmission guy is booked until June.

Apparently this car has had some leaks at the output shaft seal and some harsh shift issues in 2021. The trans has definitely been out of the car at some point, possibly rebuilt.

 

[hbalek]

Had an appointment with the dealer today, but their transmission guy is booked until June.

Apparently this car has had some leaks at the output shaft seal and some harsh shift issues in 2021. The trans has definitely been out of the car at some point, possibly rebuilt.

Had an appointment with the dealer today, but their transmission guy is booked until June.

Apparently this car has had some leaks at the output shaft seal and some harsh shift issues in 2021. The trans has definitely been out of the car at some point, possibly rebuilt.

Mine was rebuilt at 25K miles and now I'm at 50K miles. There's a TSB for the 6-7 gear shift problem and A Clutch and clamp replacement.

 

[jwuonog]

I don't want to speak to soon, but my leak seems to have gone away on its own. I'm quite confused by it, but I'm not complaining.

I did do a trans filter and 5 qts of Mercon ULV back in November and reused the pan gasket. I noticed the leak in late April, who knows if it was leaking the whole time.

I ordered a new pan gasket and more fluid recently, just in case it was my error or a bad gasket. It still had a tiny drip, which led to this post. I vacuum suctioned the fluid out before dropping the pan. I got about 4 quarts out, and didn't change the filter this time.

My theory is that maybe it was leaking since November due to bad gasket or improper installation, and I was seeing residual fluid after.

 

[MKdude]

My leak comes from the trannie cooler and it magically stopped yesterday as well. im still getting it in to the dealer

 

[jwuonog]

I noticed a while ago that there was some old fluid in the circled area.

I don't believe it has gotten any worse, several months later. Any indication of what kind of fluid that may have been? I know the owner before me had some transmission issues in the past.

 

[Cdubya]

View attachment 26221

I noticed a while ago that there was some old fluid in the circled area.

I don't believe it has gotten any worse, several months later. Any indication of what kind of fluid that may have been? I know the owner before me had some transmission issues in the past.

You better check for FADA oil leak. Remove that center rectangular undershield. It'll be on the driver's side. Do not ignore an oil leak!

 

[jwuonog]

You better check for FADA oil leak. Remove that center rectangular undershield. It'll be on the driver's side. Do not ignore an oil leak!

I had the FADA leak done earlier this year. Could it be oil from that?

 

[23 Explorer ST]

View attachment 26221

I noticed a while ago that there was some old fluid in the circled area.

I don't believe it has gotten any worse, several months later. Any indication of what kind of fluid that may have been? I know the owner before me had some transmission issues in the past.

Rear main seal possibly? Hard to tell by the pic.


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[jwuonog]

Rear main seal possibly? Hard to tell by the pic.


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That is my fear, but it hasn't gotten any worse. I'll keep an eye on it. I really should clean it thoroughly and see if it returns.

I don't have any issues with losing oil or anything.

 

[23 Explorer ST]

That is my fear, but it hasn't gotten any worse. I'll keep an eye on it. I really should clean it thoroughly and see if it returns.

I don't have any issues with losing oil or anything.

Keep us posted what you find. Could be just a very slow minor leak.


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[jwuonog]

I cleaned it thoroughly with some brake cleaner and engine degreaser, it hasn't returned so far.

I think it may have just been residual oil from when I had the FADA leak addressed a few months ago.

 

[jwuonog]

It still hasn't returned. I'm going to conclude that it was front diff fluid, hopefully that helps anyone else with this common leak.