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Front end seal leak

Tiny
JENNIFER HOLLETT
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 172,000 MILES
I took my car in to a shop because it was not running right. They told me it was the transmission and it needed to be replaced. I took it to the Lincoln dealership for a second opinion. The dealership told me it was four quarts low and and the front end seal was leaking very badly and because of that the transmission and torque converter was shot. There was no puddle under vehicle. They said that was because of blow back when driving. What would cause the seal to leak? Something does not sound right to me! When we picked it up from the first shop there was no coolant in it. Only reason we knew that was because of the puddle under the vehicle. I wonder if when checking the transmission they drained the transmission fluid? Please advise.
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Saturday, June 30th, 2018 AT 5:15 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I am Danny.

Just a few questions for you first. When you say you took it into the shop because it was not running right, do you mean the engine or the transmission? What are the symptoms your vehicle are showing? Does your car have the check engine light on? If the transmission front pump seal is leaking yes, it is possible to be small enough to not make a huge mess where you park but, the blow back would make a mess on the underside/undercarriage of your car. You would see a dirty/oily mess coating the transmission pan, cross-member, suspension components and usually the longer the leak. The more mess you would see working its way towards the back of the car. Also, you mentioned a coolant leak? I will attach a few links to show you how to retrieve diagnostic codes (transmissions have codes too) and how to test to find a coolant leak. Hope this helps! If you do not have access to a code scanner you can go to Pep Boys, Autozone,O'reillys and have a free diagnostic scan. These stores also usually have tool loaner programs for a coolant pressure tester. Please save the codes and share with us here to further help you.
Danny-

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing
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Saturday, June 30th, 2018 AT 7:15 PM
Tiny
OL'SCHOOL
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
The car was surging and shifting hard. The Lincoln dealership said it was gushing fluid. He said it was four quarts low. As for the coolant when we took it to the first mechanic took see what was going on he told us it was the transmission did not mention anything about a leak. When we picked up the vehicle we noticed a puddle under the car and found out there was no coolant in it. Was wondering if when checking the transmission do you drain the fluid?
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Saturday, June 30th, 2018 AT 7:38 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, Danny here.

To answer your question, No, the fluid is not drained to be checked. There is a transmission fluid dipstick located under hood on right side near firewall that is labeled. To check the engine and transmission is to be at operating temperature and checked with vehicle in park with engine running. Manufacturer recommends changing the transmission fluid every 30,000 miles using Mercon V type fluid. Your transmission holds a total of 15 quarts. After your vehicle was checked was transmission fluid added? If so, was a change noticed when driving? I have also attached a link here about transmission service:
Danny-
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-service-an-automatic-transmission
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Sunday, July 1st, 2018 AT 11:21 PM
Tiny
OL'SCHOOL
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I am not sure if they did or not. When the first person checked it and told me the transmission needed replaced he did not say anything about a leaky seal. Two days later when I took it to the dealership they told me I had a leak in front seal. They said it was leaking to a slow drip.
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Sunday, July 1st, 2018 AT 11:35 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello Danny again.

Well hopefully transmission fluid was added since it was so low. I attached a tutorial on my last reply. A transmission front pump seal can be replaced by separating the transmission from the engine to gain access to remove the transmissions torque converter to replace the seal. That would definitely cost less than a transmission replacement. Any reputable shop can perform the repair as opposed to going to a transmission shop to maybe save a little more there too. Just curious to know why a replacement was suggested? Was that due to mileage or performance (or both)?
Danny-
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Monday, July 2nd, 2018 AT 12:17 AM
Tiny
OL'SCHOOL
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
They said it needed replaced because of the leaky seal. We have a extended warranty that does not cover seals. Through the warranty company sent a independent inspector to verify the shops claim that a new transmission is needed. The inspector asked if they dropped the pan and the dealership said no. The inspector said that it just needed a new front end seal. The dealership said the toque converter is shot and needs replaced. Inspector did not agree.
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Monday, July 2nd, 2018 AT 12:32 AM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

As I stated in my last post any reputable shop can do that repair. Transmission just needs to be separated from the engine to gain access then the torque converter and then can be removed to gain access to the transmission pump seal. After the repair a new torque converter can be installed for reassembly but it looks like your warranty company is going to have the final say in all the matters. Hope this helped!
Danny-
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Monday, July 2nd, 2018 AT 12:53 AM
Tiny
OL'SCHOOL
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I thank you for all your advice. Unfortunately the Lincoln dealership will not fix the seal because they said it would not fix the problem. Because the inspector said it just needs a new seal. I am left high and dry with the warranty company. Yep. Happy days, lol.
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Monday, July 2nd, 2018 AT 1:00 AM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hi again.
Hope it all works for you!
Thanks for using 2CarPros. Com. Danny-
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Monday, July 2nd, 2018 AT 1:05 AM

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