Transmission leak issue

[Dennis_H]

I've asked this in the transmission section, but no activity there...

2010 XLT
165,000 miles
Transmission serviced at 65K and 140K miles with no issues or metal.

It started at 162K, leaked a small amount for about 4 days, then stopped (for a month till yesterday). It appears to be coming from front seal. Parking flat, it drips right about where engine and transmission meet. Parking downhill in my driveway, it drips off skid plate area. Was a couple tablespoons overnight when it first started. Yesterday, there was probably 1/4 cup under the truck after work, and a little less than that overnight.

Should I try some Lucas stop leak, Have my shop drop the tranny and replace the seal ($1000)? Shop wants $5000 for a new Jasper with 3 year warranty, but that seems really high. Not sure what the stop leak would do to the shifting. It has always performed well and both services had it looking new inside. My thought is get the new seal, but that can be a little iffy for fixing it. What would everyone else do?

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

I have never trusted any “fix in a can” product.

It seems odd that the estimate for the seal was exactly $1,000 and the estimate for a rebuilt transmission was exactly $5,000?

 

[bobmbx]

I've asked this in the transmission section, but no activity there...

2010 XLT
165,000 miles
Transmission serviced at 65K and 140K miles with no issues or metal.

It started at 162K, leaked a small amount for about 4 days, then stopped (for a month till yesterday). It appears to be coming from front seal. Parking flat, it drips right about where engine and transmission meet. Parking downhill in my driveway, it drips off skid plate area. Was a couple tablespoons overnight when it first started. Yesterday, there was probably 1/4 cup under the truck after work, and a little less than that overnight.

Should I try some Lucas stop leak, Have my shop drop the tranny and replace the seal ($1000)? Shop wants $5000 for a new Jasper with 3 year warranty, but that seems really high. Not sure what the stop leak would do to the shifting. It has always performed well and both services had it looking new inside. My thought is get the new seal, but that can be a little iffy for fixing it. What would everyone else do?

Nothing goes in the tranny except the exact fluid specified in the owners manual.

The fact is your tranny is leaking. There are no shortcuts or magic fixes. I'd start with having a shop open it up and tell you whats wrong. Then decide what to do. Yeah, this is costly. S**t happens.

 

[Dennis_H]

My mechanic has always been reliable. He looked and said he was sure it was the front seal. The repairs were just estimates based on what he thought it wold be to replace the front seal ~$1000, or replace it all with 3 year Jasper ~$5000. I didn't think sealer would be a good idea in this, but wanted to get an opinion. Worst case would be to sink $1000 into it, and then it continues to leak due to a bad spot on the shaft and have to replace it anyway. It isn't slipping (yet) and didn't leak again yesterday. Just can't trust it for now for any long trips.

 

[mjp2]

For price comparison, a very reputable shop in my area has their pricing online:

http://www.2rsautorepair.com/Transmissions.html

$2100 for a transmission rebuild here in NJ, where life is usually extra expensive.

I used these guys for a 6.0 rebuild and they were spot on with the price, turned the project around very quickly, and stood behind their service. (New turbo failed due to a screw-up during factory assembly and they fixed the issue with no additional charge to me)

The labor involved in pulling/reinstalling the transmission is a good chunk of time/money. Rather than just replacing that one seal, see how much your guy would charge to rebuild the transmission (or send it out for rebuild) while it's out of the truck.

 

[Dennis_H]

I did find a remanufactured one from StreetSmart Transmissions that is $2590 shipped. Not sure what installation ends up being on top of that yet. They will ship to mechanic and shipping is included both ways for core. 3 year unlimited mileage warranty. Anyone used them or know about them?

 

[mjp2]

They have some solid online reviews and definitely know what it takes to keep their Google rating up. Quick, personal responses to online reviews is a tactic that bumps up a company's rating. It shows that they're paying attention to feedback and their image, which isn't a bad thing. Typically means they'll take steps to rectify any issues that might pop up.

If you go with them, please post your experiences so the rest of us benefit

 

[Dennis_H]

They have some solid online reviews and definitely know what it takes to keep their Google rating up. Quick, personal responses to online reviews is a tactic that bumps up a company's rating. It shows that they're paying attention to feedback and their image, which isn't a bad thing. Typically means they'll take steps to rectify any issues that might pop up.

If you go with them, please post your experiences so the rest of us benefit

I'll let everyone know when I decide what to do. It only leaked one day this time and quit leaking again...

 

[Trainmaster]

Make sure it's really the front seal. These transmissions had problems with the bulkhead connector "o"ring that dripped down along the pan edge. Could also be a cooler line. Do your diagnostic work before your tear this thing out.

Then anyone replacing a front seal who know anything can tell you if the shaft is scored. If you pull the unit and there's damage to the transmission it's time to go further. You don't put in a seal to see if that works then pull out the unit again when it doesn't.

Sounds like you should visit a mechanic who knows a bit more, or who is a bit more straightforward before you throw money at this thing. And $5K is absurd for a rebuilt unit, even in here New York.

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you are serious about purchasing a reman transmission check into the price of a Ford "factory" reman. It comes with a 3 year/36000 mile warranty that is good at any Ford dealer in the US. It might even be transferable if you sell the vehicle.

 

[Dennis_H]

It quit leaking again... Went out of town Fri morning till Sunday and it was parked. Didn't have a drop over the weekend and felt fine this morning. It can't make up its mind. Will try to schedule some to go to a transmission shop, but need to find one reputable.