97 Automatic Transmission Leak

[mjonesjr]

My transmission is leaking fluid out of the inspection cover between the engine and transmission. It only has 111,xxx miles on it.

Any ideas what that might be? I was thinking it was the front seal, but have no clue. I haven't had a chance to pull the cover yet as it just started leaking.

Any help would be great.

[AFLOADTOAD]

Hey man I got the same problem. I new to the powerstrokes Im coming over from the cummins trucks so Im trying to figure this stuff out. Anybody out there got any ideas about this leak??

[justinlogue5_0]

This might sound funny to ya but get on top of your motor and see if the valley is full of diesel or oil. Usually some thing up there leaks first and at the back of the valley there is a drain hole that lets it run down between the engine block and the tranny. 9 out of 10 times the leak is motor and not tranny related and mis-diagnosed because of this.

[AFLOADTOAD]

Hey thanks for the fast reply. The top of the engine looks good and dry. Its tranny fluid leaking out of the inspection cover. My rigs got about 167K on it and not sure what kind of life it had prior to my ownership. With that said, Im wondering if the torque converter is going on it.

[justinlogue5_0]

Sorry, it sounds like you are having tranny leaks then. I am not a pro but I believe I read on here some where that the original factory convertors aren't very good and should be updated. I guess your gonna have to pull the cover off, clean it and see what pops up.

[AFLOADTOAD]

Yeah I think I will do that. Oh the joys of buying a used truck. I just hope it last through the end of tractor show season.

[justinlogue5_0]

Well at least its a good looking truck

[AFLOADTOAD]

Thanks its a work in progress.

[mjonesjr]

I fixed my leak by lowering the transmission temps. What the local trans shop told me was it was the front seal getting too hot and separating (my temps was at 240* towing about 7,000# when mine leaked). I added a 26,000# GVW cooler and put in a bottle of Lucas transmission additive. My transmission temps now towing the 7,000# running 80mph on a VERY hilly interstate is running into the wind was 165* (this was on a 95* day). When I got on a 2 lane highway running 55mph the temps dropped to about 145#.

[justinlogue5_0]

What does the Lucas do for it?