1993 Ford Tempo tranny fluid leak and engine swap

[Zebisko]

My friend has a /93 Tempo 4 cylinder (as stated above) with a trans fluid leak. Does anyone have any idea as to what the problem is? Also, he wants to change it to a V-6. Would it be possible to use a Taurus engine in it? Any help would be... helpful.

[dxrflyboy]

You need to be more specific as to where the fluid is leaking from. There are several possibilities.

Ford put the 3.0L 2V V6 in the Tempo during the last few years of production. It had different exhaust manifolds, water pump, and drive belt setup than the Taurus. Your best bet is to buy a driver V6 Tempo. If all you can find is a V6 parts car, you could do a swap, but the wiring is bound to be difficult.

[Zebisko]

I cannot pinpoint the location because it is leaking very slowly.(about half a quart a week)I haven't been to his house in a while, so I haven't been under it but once, in which I had not known that it leaked.

[dxrflyboy]

A pint a week should be enough of a leak to see where it's coming from. Start with the highest point closest to the front of the car where you see fluid. That's usually the source.

[Zebisko]

Ok, I am going to try and get over there this weekend or next week. Thanks for the help so far.

[Zebisko]

Yeah, I FINALLY checked it out and it is at the back of the pan, and there is a little orange thing on it.

[dxrflyboy]

The pan gasket relaxes over time, which means the bolts aren't holding tight anymore. You might be able to fix it by just tightening the bolts (worked on mine). Worst case, you'll have to change the gasket. That orange thing is just a deflector of some sort, probably to keep fluid leakage off the spinning axle shaft, I'm guessing.

[Zebisko]

Thank you, you have been extremely helpful!