I have a 1997 f-150 flareside with about 105k. Just recently I started to notice when i would shift into drive my tranny hesisitated for a few seconds before it would slam into gear. So naturally after asking a few friends and shady-tree mechanics, the decision was that a tranny was in order soon. Trying to postpone the expensive transmission i decided to change the filter and fluid for the first time. No problems with that but after everything was back together and full of fluid i started the truck went through the gears and then took a short test drive, when i pulled the truck back into the garage it was pouring fluid out of what seemed to be the bell housing. The transmission pan itself wasn't leaking. After that i dismantled the pan again just to make sure everything was in order. The seal was intact and the filter was fine. Given I am only a novice mechanic out of necesity (Broke) but I am at a lack of knowledge, if anyone could give me some quick tips and/or advice they would be greatly appreciated

 

A couple of questions come to mind. Did you change the fluid in the torque converter? If so check the plug. If not, how much fluid did you put back in it? With out the TC change, the fluid replaced would only be maybe 4 qts. or so.

 

I too would like to know more specifics.

Which transmission to you have?
Code U=4R70W
Code E=4R100

The transmission actually hesitating to go into gear for a few seconds is not normal. Sounds like maybe it's not holding or creating pressure. If it hesitates for just a moment and clicks or jerks a bit, that could be a simple as worn splines on the slip yoke.

Are you sure you didn't over fill the transmisison and that's why it's leaking? If you only drop the pan and drain the transmission, you should add no more than 5 qts of fluid. There is an additional 8 qts or so in the torque convertor and lines, but that won't come out by just dropping the pan.

Did you use the right filter?

Did the gasket on the neck of the old filter become stuck inside the valve body? If you take a look at the old filter, there should be an orange gasket on the neck of the filter.

 

How many quarts did you put back in?

 

thanks for the reply....
My tranny is the 4r70w
i only dropped the pan and refilled with in and about 6 qts.
the transmission wasnt making any sounds at all, thats what lead me to believe it might just be the atf.
Any additional info on the torque converter would be great, that is a subject i know nothing of.
Thanks again

 

Once i installed the new filter i noticed the new filter's gasket was loose, the old filter was not, but the old filters gasket was intact on the old filter and not in the valve body. Thanks