Automatic Transmission Leak issue leads to surprising discovery & rebuilt transmission

[straycat]

Ford's logic..... Film/residue/damp=not a leak. Drip=leak....I kid you not.

So it's likely they won't even do anything with this until it gets worse?

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[flip]

So it's likely they won't even do anything with this until it gets worse?

No, that is a drip and will be fixed. If it were just damp around the input or output seals they say it's likely normal, clean it off and monitor. Since you have hanging fluid, that's repair no if's, and's or but's.

 

[straycat]

No, that is a drip and will be fixed. If it were just damp around the input or output seals they say it's likely normal, clean it off and monitor. Since you have hanging fluid, that's repair no if's, and's or but's.

Ok great, thank you. I already cleaned it off, so I'll monitor the next few days to replicate so I can take it in the shop. Appreciate you, Phil.

 

[flip]

Ok great, thank you. I already cleaned it off, so I'll monitor the next few days to replicate so I can take it in the shop. Appreciate you, Phil.

Engine Oil Leaks - Fluorescent Oil Additive Method

NOTE: If the factory fill engine oil with dye is present, change the engine oil and the oil filter prior to using the Dye-Lite® Oil-Based Fluid Dye (164-TP33200601).

1. Some fluid leaks are acceptable and considered characteristic of the component seal depending on the component, system or fluid it seals. These are called a weep or a seep.

1. Weep(s): A weep is detected under black light inspection demonstrating a continuous yellow (die color) trace at the gasket joint or seal surface and characterized by no detection of oil under white light inspection. A weep is incidental and not acceptable for fuel, brake or transmission lines. Weeps are acceptable for all other areas.

1. Seep(s): A seep is considered a more pronounced weep but not enough to result in dripping. When wiped off, the moistness should not reoccur before renewed operation. A seep is oil detected under black light inspection and characterized by oil detection under white light inspection resulting in staining at the sealing and the adjacent flange. A seep is not acceptable for fuel, brake or transmission lines, in visible areas under hood or under vehicle. Seeps are acceptable around engine ventilation components such as PCV components and oil fill caps.

1. Leak(s): A leak is oil detected under black light inspection and characterized by oil detection under white light inspection resulting in accumulation of oil drops and/or pooling. All leaks are considered unacceptable

 

[djn3400]

Exact same thing happened to my 22 BD. Techs couldn't figure out where the leak was coming from. Engineers at Ford told them to replace the entire the transmission after they took it apart and saw the same things. Was replaced about 2 months ago and no issues on the new one... so far.

I’m glad it got sorted out and things seem to be fine with the new transmission. Hopefully mine goes smoothly as well.

Once they got the old one out and took it apart we’re they able to figure out exactly what broke and caused the problem inside? I’m still confused how that then caused a leak and why it still shifted fine and didn’t make any noise that would indicate a problem.

 

[Scott Cooper]

I’m glad it got sorted out and things seem to be fine with the new transmission. Hopefully mine goes smoothly as well.

Once they got the old one out and took it apart we’re they able to figure out exactly what broke and caused the problem inside? I’m still confused how that then caused a leak and why it still shifted fine and didn’t make any noise that would indicate a problem.

The techs at the dealer were never able to figure it out. First they thought the torque converter was faulty, then something wasn't properly sealed but after they took it apart they saw bearings out of place causing the damage. The transmission was sent to Ford so the engineers could take a look to figure out what happened and I haven't heard anything after that.

My previous vehicle was a 2019 Ranger with the same 4 cylinder and transmission and I never had a single issue (reason I went with that combo after hearing the issues with both the 2.7 & manual). I did notice it felt less powerful when I drove it compared to the Ranger though. It seemed to drive fine, didn't hear any noises in the transmission but it just felt slow compared to my Ranger. I thought maybe that was just how it was designed but after getting the bronco back I noticed a significant difference. When you get yours back you will probably notice it will feel more responsive and a little faster than before. So ultimately I think that was the sign something was wrong with it. Personally, I think it had the issue from the start and was a result of bad build quality like many other pandemic build vehicles. This might be why you haven't noticed anything either but I can't explain how it was still able to drive.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

I had some major transmission problems starting in November at 7000 miles. CELs for 4x4 system fault and torque converter clutch malfunction. I also had red fluid on my garage floor. 5 months later I have a new transmission, torque converter, transmission control module, and transmission cooler. They said the cooler failed and had turned the fluid into a "strawberry milkshake." Weird because I never saw the transmission temp get hot, and not really sure if they ever knew exactly what was wrong, but you could tell there was something wrong with the vehicle when driving. I'm actually glad they just swapped in a brand new transmission... better than trying to fix a dud. It was a very looooong wait, even worse than the year I waited for a Bronco in the first place. Best of luck to you, and hopefully they can get you squared away quickly.

Hello! Could you privately message us with your VIN and the name and location of your Ford dealer so I can look into this concern for you? Thank you!

 

[Herewegoagain]

While changing a few weeks ago at 15k miles I noticed some drops of transmission fluid that had formed on the bottom of the bell housing area. I wiped them and checked a couple of days later and they were back. I didn’t have any spots on my garage floor though so it wasn't a large leak.

I took the Bronco in a couple of weeks back to have the leak checked out, thinking it was a bad seal or something. It was still only dripping a few drops each day. After 2 weeks in the shop, I received an update last week that the transmission tech couldn't figure out where the leak was coming from and he contacted Ford. Ford told him to pull the transmission and inspect it. They also told me at that time that it was leaking pretty bad and there was a large puddle under the lift when they came in one morning.

Today I got an update that a bushing or bearing (the service advisor wasn't sure which one the tech told him) had turned sideways in the transmission and tore up the gears and other bearings and such. He said the tech has ordered over 30 components and will be rebuilding it when the parts arrive. He said this is the 2nd or 3rd one they have seen like this. The weird thing is that it drove completely normal and I never heard any strange noises or anything that would indicate that bearings and gears in my transmission were being destroyed. I mentioned that to the service advisor today and he said that's how the others have been too, no noise or drive issues. Looks like I'll be without my Bronco for a couple more weeks.

Anyone else ever hear of this? Should I be concerned with the rebuilt transmission going forward? I'm surprised they didn't just replace the transmission and send the old one back to Ford for teardown and analysis since this seems to not be an isolated incident.

Why would Ford want to do the right thing?? Open a can of worms with possible recalls?? Best to BURY it.

 

[Seatmandan]

I had my 2021 Bronco with the 2.7L start leaking back in February from between the bell housing and the engine. It was dropping about a coin-sized (quarter) spot per day on the driveway and garage floor. I took it in on March 17th and they said it was leaking from the input shaft seal between the torque converter, and the front face (bracket assembly) of the transmission, due to a gouge that was created while mating the trans to the engine. They told me they were either going to:

1. re-build the transmission, replacing the "front bracket assembly" that contained the seal
2. REPLACE TRANSMISSION

They were advised by Ford Warranty specialist to FIX the broken transmission. I was opposed to this from the start. I'm an engineer, and know first hand that these are sealed, sensitive, complicated units, and fixing it is a recipe for disaster. My truck at the time was just over a year old, with 9,000 miles on it

Fast-forward to last week (5-18-2023), nearly 2 MONTHS TO THE DAY of the first repair, and now it's leaking AGAIN, even worse. It's not only leaking from the same spot as before, now it's leaking from above the transfer case output shaft that drives the front axle, down onto an electrical connector that controls the transfer case 4x4.

I called the dealer Monday (5-22-2023) to report all of this, saying it needs to come back, and they're telling me 2 WEEKS before they can look at it. LOL

The only option here, IMO, is a NEW TRANSMISSION. This is ridiculous.

 

[USSCajun]

I had my 2021 Bronco with the 2.7L start leaking back in February from between the bell housing and the engine. It was dropping about a coin-sized (quarter) spot per day on the driveway and garage floor. I took it in on March 17th and they said it was leaking from the input shaft seal between the torque converter, and the front face (bracket assembly) of the transmission, due to a gouge that was created while mating the trans to the engine. They told me they were either going to:

1. re-build the transmission, replacing the "front bracket assembly" that contained the seal
2. REPLACE TRANSMISSION

They were advised by Ford Warranty specialist to FIX the broken transmission. I was opposed to this from the start. I'm an engineer, and know first hand that these are sealed, sensitive, complicated units, and fixing it is a recipe for disaster. My truck at the time was just over a year old, with 9,000 miles on it

Fast-forward to last week (5-18-2023), nearly 2 MONTHS TO THE DAY of the first repair, and now it's leaking AGAIN, even worse. It's not only leaking from the same spot as before, now it's leaking from above the transfer case output shaft that drives the front axle, down onto an electrical connector that controls the transfer case 4x4.

I called the dealer Monday (5-22-2023) to report all of this, saying it needs to come back, and they're telling me 2 WEEKS before they can look at it. LOL

The only option here, IMO, is a NEW TRANSMISSION. This is ridiculous.

No, you other option is a Toyota 4Runner.

 

[Murgatroyd]

While changing a few weeks ago at 15k miles I noticed some drops of transmission fluid that had formed on the bottom of the bell housing area. I wiped them and checked a couple of days later and they were back. I didn’t have any spots on my garage floor though so it wasn't a large leak.

I took the Bronco in a couple of weeks back to have the leak checked out, thinking it was a bad seal or something. It was still only dripping a few drops each day. After 2 weeks in the shop, I received an update last week that the transmission tech couldn't figure out where the leak was coming from and he contacted Ford. Ford told him to pull the transmission and inspect it. They also told me at that time that it was leaking pretty bad and there was a large puddle under the lift when they came in one morning.

Today I got an update that a bushing or bearing (the service advisor wasn't sure which one the tech told him) had turned sideways in the transmission and tore up the gears and other bearings and such. He said the tech has ordered over 30 components and will be rebuilding it when the parts arrive. He said this is the 2nd or 3rd one they have seen like this. The weird thing is that it drove completely normal and I never heard any strange noises or anything that would indicate that bearings and gears in my transmission were being destroyed. I mentioned that to the service advisor today and he said that's how the others have been too, no noise or drive issues. Looks like I'll be without my Bronco for a couple more weeks.

Anyone else ever hear of this? Should I be concerned with the rebuilt transmission going forward? I'm surprised they didn't just replace the transmission and send the old one back to Ford for teardown and analysis since this seems to not be an isolated incident.

Just found this thread from doing a search, pretty sure this happened to my ‘22 2.7. The description the service mgr gave me seems to fit. It’s been at the dealer for a week; they said Ford just shipped a transmission so week and a half for that. Ugh.

9900 miles on it btw.

 

[DangerMTBBronco]

Found mine leaking today and it shifts rough into reverse. Will be taking it to to the dealer this week. 2022 Badlands 2.7 with 12,000 miles.

 

[TCB-1]

or.......

but, but, but, we are blessed to have a factory presence on this forum. they will help. they have helped so many before!

-the admin

yeah. right

 

[Jsb]

Depending on who is re-building your transmission, many times it will be better than new. Years ago, I had a problem with my transmission on my F350 when it was fairly new. They could not figure out the problem, so they benched the trans and carefully rebuilt it. I never had a problem with it again going nearly 200,000 miles.

 

[0ne]

Depending on who is re-building your transmission, many times it will be better than new. Years ago, I had a problem with my transmission on my F350 when it was fairly new. They could not figure out the problem, so they benched the trans and carefully rebuilt it. I never had a problem with it again going nearly 200,000 miles.

Ahh the good old days

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