Common A4LD Transmission Leak ('92 EB)

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Ulysses - 12 Aug 2006 22:14 GMT

Is there a common place where these transmissons leak? I could not find any
on Google... I have used two cans of engine cleaner and a paint brush with
detergent and solvents to try to clean the trans good enough and so far it
just seems like it's coming from the top, front somewhere. I've been down
there several times with a flashlight and a mirror. The trans was a rebuilt
from Ford and it has about 80-100K miles since it was installed (by Ford).
The leak started suddenly. I looked up how to find leaks in the Ford CD
manual and I can't seem to pin it down. Would a leaking vacuum diaphram
cause an external leak? My experience with the diaphram going bad was the
coolant was leaking into the engine intake. Right now I'm hoping to avoid
yanking out the seats or dropping the trans to find the leak. I've read
about leaks caused by the speedometer cable but I think that was only for
manual transmissions. My Haynes manual does not even cover the speedometer
cable for the auto trans (at least I can't find where, if it does).

I'm thinking maybe a rat ate through something--one got the fuel gauge wire
recently on my '78 F350....

This particular Explorer is a '92 EB 4X4 with auto trans.

Thanks.

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Ashton Crusher - 14 Aug 2006 07:27 GMT

>Is there a common place where these transmissons leak? I could not find any
>on Google... I have used two cans of engine cleaner and a paint brush with
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>
>Thanks.

In the 14 years I"ve frequented this group I've never seen much in the
way of tranny leak complaints. I think there could be a slight leak
from the transmission cable adaptor spot but I wouldn't think it would
be a big leak and it would be in the back anyway. When my modulator
went bad it didn't cause a leak, just let ATF get sucked into the
engine and burned causing a low ATF level in the tranny. If it's
tranny fluid that's leaking and it seems to be coming from the top
front my guess would be that the front seal on the tranny is leaking.
If it's a substantial leak and started all of a sudden there's
probably no cure but pulling and fixing it, assuming it's a big enough
leak to be worth the trouble. If it was mine I would try a can of AT
seal conditioner first, you might get lucky.

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Big Shoe - 14 Aug 2006 14:05 GMT

I had a '92 EB 4x4 with auto and the front seal blew twice. Threw
fluid everywhere when it happened. Finally sold the truck when it had
about 185,000 on it. I had it repaired by dealer, cost around $750 as
I recall.

>>Is there a common place where these transmissons leak? I could not find any
>>on Google... I have used two cans of engine cleaner and a paint brush with
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
>leak to be worth the trouble. If it was mine I would try a can of AT
>seal conditioner first, you might get lucky.

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Ulysses - 14 Aug 2006 18:53 GMT

> I had a '92 EB 4x4 with auto and the front seal blew twice. Threw
> fluid everywhere when it happened. Finally sold the truck when it had
> about 185,000 on it. I had it repaired by dealer, cost around $750 as
> I recall.

Ouch. I spent lots of time under my '92 yesterday (also put on a trailer
hitch) and ended up "fixing" the leak with a paint roller tray and two
bungie cords. This will at least make it possible to go pick up a water
tank and haul it up my 4WD-only hill. I'll just need to fill the trans
before I go.

I'm thinking it might not be a seal leak because I put in some Lucas
Transmission Fix and it didn't slow down the leak at all. I had good
results with it on my '91. Their power steering goop also pretty much
stopped my other leak.

I can see trans fluid dripping from between the torque converter and the
engine and also along one of the cooler lines but I can't quite determine
where the fluid is coming from. I also have some motor oil coming from the
rear of the engine so in any case it's probably the rear engine seal is
leaking and perhaps the front seal on the trans so the trans will have to
come out. :-( Can anyone tell me if it will be obvious where it's leaking
once the trans is dropped? I mean, will it still probably be leaking if the
trans is not operating?

Also, I've read that the trans vent tube can get clogged and cause leaks.
Is there an easy way to check and clean it?

> >>Is there a common place where these transmissons leak? I could not find any
> >>on Google... I have used two cans of engine cleaner and a paint brush with
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
> >leak to be worth the trouble. If it was mine I would try a can of AT
> >seal conditioner first, you might get lucky.

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