Wierd Transmission Leak

I have a 93 Taurus Wagon, 3.0L.

Yesterday, I noticed the transmission acting a little strange when starting off from a dead stop. I checked the fluid level and found it to be a quart low. I topped it off, and was able to go about 100 miles before it started doing it again. I checked the fluid once again, and once again it was a quart low.

After I topped it off again, I noticed a puddle under the car, but I could not see where the fluid was coming from. I had 25 miles to go to get home and I figured I'd check it out in the morning.

I didn't make it home. I got to within 3 miles of home when it really started slipping badly. I pulled over, and got towed home. Under the car where it died was a puddle and there was a trail of fluid leading up to where I died. I assumed I popped a cooling line, but could not see the actual leak.

This morning, I put in 4 quarts and ran it. No leak. I added 2 more quarts to make it full, still nothing leaking. :confused:

I jacked it up and set it on jackstands, got under it, nothing leaking, but entire floor pan from the rear of the transmission to the rear bumper was wet with fluid from last night. I ran it in neutral, park, drive, reverse, no leak. I drove it about 25 miles, no leak. :swear:

Last night it lost 6 quarts in 25 miles, all over the road, and today, not a drip.

Any good detectives here? hehehe

Clean ALL of the old fluid from the bottom of the car. Make sure your level is good. Drive the car a mile and then check for leaks. Keep doing this one or two miles at a time until it starts to leak. If it's from around the pan then you might as well just buy a new filter/gasket and replace it. Torque to the specs and all should be fixed.

Thanks, but I pretty much ruled out the pan or cooling lines today. I wiped the pan down, the lines are dry... and it was leaking a pretty heavy volume to lose 6 quarts in 25 miles. It would be hard not to notice that big a leak. hehehe

I have the same problem in a 96 Taurus ax4s transmission. In September of 2005, I lost nearly all fluid after a long highway drive. I filled it back up, drove it for nearly a YEAR with no problem. Then last October I had the same problem: 2 GALLONS of tranny fluid and stop leak over less than 500 miles. Fluid is leaking from the torque converter to transmission junction. I pulled the transmission planning on having the converter leak tested, slap in a new seal. Well, the shaft support where the converter mates up (along with the bearing surface just inside the converter) is badly scored. This transmission was rebuilt by AMOCO about 20kmiles ago. Looks like pokie1313 will be rebuilding it next!

Hi, Here's the only way to find it...Trans oil dye and black light leak detector...BUT, From lots of past experience I would give odds on the trans line push in connectors on the trans, left side front..Give it a shot, Good Luck, Clay..