87 Crown Vic Trans Fluid Leak

[backyard_mech420]

I'm hoping someone here can help me with my problem,which is really frustrating me.My 87 Ford Crown Vic LTD LX recently developed a Transmission Fluid Leak.It only leaks when the vehicle is eather driven for more than 5 miles or ran really hard,like stomping the throttle one good time.It never leaks when the engine is not running or the car has not been driven.After being Driven when I look under the car at the trans I can see Fluid dripping from the Front Housing,the Fluid Pan,and the Rear of the Trans.I would like to avoid having to replace all three of these seals if possible,especially the Front Seal as the trans will have to be pulled to do so,and I have nethier the tools nor the time to pull that off myself,and I really don't wont to have to pay a trans shop $400+ of my hard earned money to replace something as simple as a gasket.My question is how can I tell if the Trans Fluid is leaking from the Front Seal,The Fluid Pan gasket,or The Rear Seal.Plz Help Me !!!

[grimor]

if you see it leaking from both the front and back of the trans that's about as good of indication that the front and rear seal is leaking, if you wipe of the pan and don't see it dripping from the edges the pan is proably ok, BUT if you are replacing the other seals, you might as well drop the pan and replace the filter and flush the trans.

[backyard_mech420]

Poured 1 qt. of Valvoline Max Life Transmission Stop Leak into the trans,drove around for about 4 days,and now my trans is no longer leaking.Since then I've stomped the throttle a few good times,and drove for over 50m at a time,and hav'nt noticed any leaking at all.I'm not sure how long it will last,but i'm hoping it will last for at least the rest of the trans usable life,maybe another 100,000m,or until I do a Engine and Trans swap in about 2-3 yrs.Anyone else had any experience with transmission stop leak,if it is a permanent solution or just a temporary one,and what effects if any will it have on the trans?

[grimor]

I've never used it on a trans I planned on keeping more than a few more months. Not sure the long term effects..

[fredjacksonsan]

The leak stop products in general have a seal sweller, that sort of "rejuvinates" your seals. There will come a point at which the seals will no longer seal, even with leak stop in there. I had a similar problem, and the leak didn't come back while I owned the vehicle (another year and 20K miles until someone pulled out in front of me...)