Hi all, this is a pretty important question. I have about 700 miles left on the 36/36000 mile warranty, and I think I have found a leak...in two places. I was under the truck yesterday and found two 'shields' where fluid has run down. Both 'shields' (on the offroad package) are for protecting the transmission. I live in an apartment, so it tough to see if that spot under the truck is mine or the car that parked there last night. My question is what do I do? Ive already had the transmission sealed when I got the truck, but I cant tell how serious the leaks are. The first leak is coming from the transmission the second is coming from something directly behind it. Tonight, Ive put a sheet of cardboard under that spot to see how serious it is. But, with what Ive already seen I dont have alot of time left, I usually put 150 -200 miles a week on the truck. Do you think that this is serious enough to take it? What is that part behind the transmission that is leaking? Thanks!!

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The Truck: 1997 Black F-150 Flareside. Regular Cab ORP and Towing Package
The Mods: K&N Filter, Eurolid Hard Tonneau and Ford Bug Deflector.
The Site:
Triton's 4.6 Liter Web Page
www.mindspring.com/~acbradley/index.html

 

Triton46,
I was under my truck the other day and saw where transmission fluid was blown all over the bottom of it. I traced the leak to the rear transmission seal. I had approx. 26,000 miles on it at the time. Brought it in and they did indeed change the seal. So far "Its All Good" I did notice before I noticed the leak that when I was in reverse and then went into drive there was a slight delay I assume it was due to the fact that the transmission fluid was low. You don't have much time left if I were you I'd bring it in and let the dealership find the leaks and repair them, let them know that you think that its leaking in a couple of places. Good luck!!



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Triton46,

"What is that part behind the transmission that is leaking?"

Sounds like the rear seal.

Ditto Steve L

Take it in NOW, it'll be out of your pocket next month!

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'99 WHITE F150 XLT FlareSide SC 4.2 Auto 3.55, Superchip,
Black Westin Nerfs, White Prime Design BugShield,
White Vtech Taillight Covers, White Vtech Sidewinders,
LOTTA SHOW and SOME GO

 

SteveL, rmarietta
I didnt drive my truck all weekend, except for Sunday I went about 4 miles down the road and back. When I got back, I put a piece of cardboard under the truck with some rocks to keep it in place (this was around 3:00). I didn't drive it the rest of the day and when I came out this morning (8:30 am) there wasn't a drop on it. Im wondering where the leak is and if there is one is it that bad? There's definately transmission fluid on two of the shields, but none on the ground. Could the shields be catching the transmission fluid?

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The Truck: 1997 Black F-150 Flareside. Regular Cab ORP and Towing Package
The Mods: K&N Filter, Eurolid Hard Tonneau and Ford Bug Deflector.
The Site:
Triton's 4.6 Liter Web Page
www.mindspring.com/~acbradley/index.html



[This message has been edited by Triton46 (edited 06-28-1999).]

 

Triton46,
I never saw a puddle of transmission fluid on the ground either. It could be that when you are driving and the drive shaft is turning is the only time there is actual leakage from the seal. It can only get worse and time is running out. It won't cost you nothing to have the dealership check it out,its leaking from somewhere and its better to let Ford pay for it than you.

 

Got under the truck again yesterday to take a look at it after the drive home. There's definately two spots...but there dry, like they've been there for awhile. Im wondering if there was some overflow from my transmission service back in March? I reached all around the shields and it was dry.

SteveL,
Can you describe what lead you to beleive you had a leak? I would think (Ive had three transmission leaks on two different cars) that the leak would drip at least one drop after shutting the truck off. On both my other leaks there wasn't a puddle, just a drop. Thanks for the info! These things are always hard to diagnose, I just want to have my facts straight before going to the dealer.

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The Truck: 1997 Black F-150 Flareside. Regular Cab ORP and Towing Package
The Mods: K&N Filter, Eurolid Hard Tonneau and Ford Bug Deflector.
The Site:
Triton's 4.6 Liter Web Page
www.mindspring.com/~acbradley/index.html

 

OK, called the dealership to see how long this would take to check it and what could have gone wrong. He said that the transmission may not have sealed properly when they changed the tranny oil. We shall see...

Thanks SteveL and rmarietta for the help, I hate going to the dealership cause its always a crap shoot on whether they'll laugh at you, take you serious, or avoid the problem till you're out of warranty.

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The Truck: 1997 Black F-150 Flareside. Regular Cab ORP and Towing Package
The Mods: K&N Filter, Eurolid Hard Tonneau and Ford Bug Deflector.
The Site:
Triton's 4.6 Liter Web Page
www.mindspring.com/~acbradley/index.html

 

Triton46,
I climbed under my truck to look at how to run the duels and noticed the transmission fluid on the underside of the truck. I then started to look closer and saw fluid around the rear seal. Check the level if its higher than normal maybe thats the problem. I don't know if there is a overflow for excess oil.

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Steve L 1998 F-150 SuperCab Flareside Oxford White 4.6 Automatic 3.55

 

Triton46,

Waiting.

[This message has been edited by rmarietta (edited 06-29-1999).]

 

I had the same problem a year after I got it had about 20,000 miles on it. They told me that 2nd was gone..so they had to overhaul my tranny...but now it has almost 50,000 miles on it and no it is slipping so I am going to have to go take it back to the dealer and see if they will fix that.