Early January I had my FTVB installed in the 99 4.6 with 36k miles. They place overfilled the trans fluid some and pumped it back out to a good level. However, the next week I went to get my oil change and the guy said I might have a head gasket leak. He showed me where. Its the passenger side at the very back. It doesn't hit the floor or anything. I took note that its right below the trans fluid filler neck. Could the place have possibly ran some over and down the heads/exhaust? If this happened, would it take very long to burn off? I'm thinking about getting some degreaser and spraying around the area and cleaning it off. Drive some and see if any oil/fluid has reappeard. ALSO, I've knoticed my exhaust is starting to leak where the factory was cut and then C-clamped to the new pipe. With all this, I've knoticed that on the Tailgate, small black dust accumulates. It wipes off with a little pressure. I'm not sure if its cuz of the overfilled tranny, head gasket leak, or exhaust leak. And, when I'm under Wide Open Throttle, I see no signs of smoke or anything from the exhaust.

Any recomendations to the following

1) do I have a head gasket leak

2) would the exhaust or trans fluid cause the black stuff on the tail gate

3) should I just weld the exhaust up where the pipes connect.

 

the best and most accurate way to tell if you have a head gasket leak is to have an oil analysis done. they can tell you if there is any traces of coolant in your oil. It only cost around $20. Its the only sure way to tell.....Here is a link. They will also be able to tell you how your motor is wearing in general by traces of lead, iron, copper etc...


http://www.blackstone-labs.com/index.html