atf pouring out

veritasaequita · Mar 28, 2015

Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Long time lurker and observer of your wonderful forum finally in a situation where I could use some advice and I'm finding nothing comfortably fitting in the search results. The story goes like this. Yesterday upon leaving my home for some daily chores in my 2002 1500RAM SLT 5.9V8 w/auto transmission, I noticed what felt like either a slight lack of power or almost as if the emergency brake could be engaged. I looked down and it wasn't. Soon after that it seemed to fade away and the day went normal. While sitting in my garage last night I noticed something shiny making a trail out the driveway. For sure ATF fluid and a lot of it. Even more underneath the truck in the driveway. Heres where my question comes in. Whith the truck off there is no leak, when I put it in gear and move just a few feet it begins to "pour" out from where the transmission meets the engine/torque converter. From what I think to believe is it would be the main seal that is letting this occur. Could anyone please let me know if you have any knowledge or experience with this issue and also point me to maybe a diy or step by step as reference to get through it. I've got the tools and have been able to fix anything else in all my vehicles in the past. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Mikeman13 · Mar 28, 2015

Brutal man, when you say "pouring" are we talking a small quarter sized puddle or in excess of a glass full?

05daytona · Mar 28, 2015

First take the inspection plate off and verify that it is coming out from there. If it is, the transmission is going to have to be removed. I wish there was an easy out for you but I don't see one.

Harley Harrold · Mar 29, 2015

veritasaequita · Mar 29, 2015

Mikeman13 said:
Brutal man, when you say "pouring" are we talking a small quarter sized puddle or in excess of a glass full?

Hello man, whrm I say pouring you know about the speed atf would go if u just unscrewed a new bottle and turn it over facing the ground. I'd say its about half a 3rd of that speed and as for the amount I put in 3 quarts last night from bone empty to make it home. The short trip was about 7 city blocks with zero traffic and when I pulled up home all 3 quarts were gonr.

Lethalweapon100 · Mar 30, 2015

veritasaequita said:
Hello man, whrm I say pouring you know about the speed atf would go if u just unscrewed a new bottle and turn it over facing the ground. I'd say its about half a 3rd of that speed and as for the amount I put in 3 quarts last night from bone empty to make it home. The short trip was about 7 city blocks with zero traffic and when I pulled up home all 3 quarts were gonr.

Ouch. This doesnt sound cheap, or fun. Good luck. Something tells me due to the lack of fluid, the trans might be fried.

xb1230 · Mar 30, 2015

I would definitely not drive the truck and get it towed to a tranny specialist unless you want to undertake this repair yourself. It does sound like an overall may be required depending on the failed parts.

If it is only the main seals, then it is not too bad, but since you have driven the truck with missing a fair amount of fluid chances are the damage may have expanded beyond just an oil leak.

Good luck and keep us posted.

veritasaequita · Apr 3, 2015

No believe it or not the trans was never run dry, I believe the lowest it got was at 3 quarts low of the 6 it holds. I kept pulling over to fill it. I'm mainly looking for a good word or pic guide on changing the front seal. I've never done one but I've done everything else on the truck. I just don't like jumping into something without giving it a good once over glance at minimum.

xb1230 · Apr 3, 2015

I like what this guy does. He's a tranny specialist and will show complete teardown and rebuilt of multiple tranny makes/models.

Here is the one for the 45rfe :
https://youtu.be/wIeWHqO27TA
What you would be missing here is how to remove the tranny from the truck and put it back in as it will be required to change the front seal.

As far as I am concerned, I would do both front and back seals and take the opportunity to inspect the internals of the beast while it is out of the truck.

Have fun!

atf pouring out

veritasaequita

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Mikeman13

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05daytona

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Harley Harrold

USAF Ret. 36+ years service

veritasaequita

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Lethalweapon100

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xb1230

Hobby Mechanic

veritasaequita

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xb1230

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