Fumes leaking into cab from e-brake/console area

[TauMau]

Hey guys,

After driving my 86 GT T-Tops for awhile and parking, I'll begin getting smoke coming out of the E-Brake lever opening. Any ideas? It doesn't appear to be an exhaust leak because it's dark smoke, and my exhaust doesn't have anything like that.

It's not coming from the shifter housing either, I know that.

What's down there that could be leaking onto the exhaust and burning up? Maybe a trans leak? And what seals that area from outside fumes?

Thanks for any help

 

[bmo37]

speedo cable where it mates gear on trans, or rear main seal on back of the engine would be my two guesses.

 

[Mustang5L5]

There is a seal where the shifter is and where the e brake cable passes through that seal out fumes. If they are missing, that's your problem.

Of course, doesn't solve the smoke issue

 

[TauMau]

Cool thanks for the hints. Pretty sure it's my trans leaking somewhere. Good to know about the cable seal.

 

[TauMau]

It was the driveshaft output seal at the back of the trans. Changed it today...haven't had a long enough drive to verify, but should have fixed my problem. Thanks again for the help.

For future reference: The easiest way to change the seal is unbolt the driveshaft at the third member (4 bolts), then slide it off the trans. Removing the seal is a bit tricky and frustrating...if you can get a thin screwdriver or similar tool in there and start to work it out that seems the only way to go about it. If any VW/Porsche/off-roaders out there are doing it, use the CV cage off a 930 to displace the force evenly across the seal when pounding it in...fits perfectly around it. Good luck to anyone doing this in the future.

I got my seal from LMR

http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/item/LRS-7052A/83-95-Mustang-T-5-AOD-Tailshaft-Seal