Newbie needs some help to make a decision about our transmission.
92 LX 4 cyl with Auto - unknown miles. Trans was leaking fluid.... and slipping a little... probably 'cause low on fluid.
So, we dropped the pan, drained fluid and replaced filter with one from NAPA. No metal or real problems in the pan. Fluid not burned. Replaced the gasket with a rubber one from NAPA and refilled fluid with Mercon. Checked for leaks - no leaks. Took it on 3 small >2 mile trips. It started leaking bad. Couldn't tell from where - but probably the front.
Figured it must be the pan's not tight, maybe a whole in the gasket. So, we ordered a new cork gasket from Ford and dropped the pan again and replaced it again and replaced the Mercon fluid.
Checked for leaks 3 or 4 times (short >2 mile rides), no leaks and no slipping. Took it for a little longer ride (>10 miles), it started leaking again.
Thought maybe it was leaking from behind the pan - so replaced the diaphram in the rear.
Added more fluid and some Lucas stop leak.
Checked a few times (short >2 mile rides) no leaks.
Went on a little longer ride and it started leaking pretty good and slipping.
Had it towed to the Trans shop. The mechanic just called today and says
it's definitely leaking from the front. He claims the A4OD trans is known to leak from the front and there are two possible causes. One costs $240 to fix and one costs $620 to fix... he has to drop the trans to see which one is the problem.
Question:
Is the A4OD a known leaker? If it is, what's generally the cause? What could be in front of the pan that could be leaking. Does $240 or $620 sound reasonable to fix it?
Right now we're thinking we either don't fix it and sell it as is... or park it, and fix it in a year (the money is a little bit of a problem right now but not insurmountable). We don't really need the vehicle fixed right away. It's for my son to drive and he's only 15 so he can't legally drive by himself anyway - so if he does drive - he can drive one of our other cars.
Any help greatly appreciated.
92 LX 4 cyl with Auto - unknown miles. Trans was leaking fluid.... and slipping a little... probably 'cause low on fluid.
So, we dropped the pan, drained fluid and replaced filter with one from NAPA. No metal or real problems in the pan. Fluid not burned. Replaced the gasket with a rubber one from NAPA and refilled fluid with Mercon. Checked for leaks - no leaks. Took it on 3 small >2 mile trips. It started leaking bad. Couldn't tell from where - but probably the front.
Figured it must be the pan's not tight, maybe a whole in the gasket. So, we ordered a new cork gasket from Ford and dropped the pan again and replaced it again and replaced the Mercon fluid.
Checked for leaks 3 or 4 times (short >2 mile rides), no leaks and no slipping. Took it for a little longer ride (>10 miles), it started leaking again.
Thought maybe it was leaking from behind the pan - so replaced the diaphram in the rear.
Added more fluid and some Lucas stop leak.
Checked a few times (short >2 mile rides) no leaks.
Went on a little longer ride and it started leaking pretty good and slipping.
Had it towed to the Trans shop. The mechanic just called today and says
it's definitely leaking from the front. He claims the A4OD trans is known to leak from the front and there are two possible causes. One costs $240 to fix and one costs $620 to fix... he has to drop the trans to see which one is the problem.
Question:
Is the A4OD a known leaker? If it is, what's generally the cause? What could be in front of the pan that could be leaking. Does $240 or $620 sound reasonable to fix it?
Right now we're thinking we either don't fix it and sell it as is... or park it, and fix it in a year (the money is a little bit of a problem right now but not insurmountable). We don't really need the vehicle fixed right away. It's for my son to drive and he's only 15 so he can't legally drive by himself anyway - so if he does drive - he can drive one of our other cars.
Any help greatly appreciated.