Leaky Torque Converter??

[MFalkinham]

Hi all,



My truck suffers from a mild case of TC leakage, which I respond to by idling in neutral for 30 seconds before driving. While I was changing the transmission fluid this past weekend, after I removed the pan there was a small but steady stream of fluid coming from the valve body above where the filter is installed. It continued draining for an hour, so I left it to drain overnight before refilling.



Is this the TC leakage that I am witnessing? I've never seen another automatic drain like this before. If so, I guess I really don't need a TC drain plug like my Ford F150 had.



- Mike

 

[WashingtonFLHTRider]

Converter bleed down has been a problem sense the 904 & 727 were introduced. And was carried over to the OD units. Some rigs are worse then others. There is a fix for it. It is a mod to the valve body. It allows fluid to pump in the park mode. Even with the fix you still need to be in neutral for fluid check. It seems to me the factory started to do this mod in the late 90's. Just don't hold me to that.


The neutral warm up is the easiest way to get around it.


As for as needing a converter drain plug. The converter will only drain down to just under half full. If your just doing a normal service and your fluid is not smoked, there is no real need to drain the converter. If your fluid is smoked, then you have more to worry about then a fluid change

If your doing a converstion say to a synthetic lube. Then do your service, fill the pan, then remove the return line at the cooler, make sure you have a hose to direct your fluid flow into a catch container. Fire the engine up (idle in neutral) and add fluid as the old pumps into your catch container. If your old fluid is super clean it will be hard to see, but most times you can see a color change when your new fluid reaches the catch container.

 

[Greenleaf]

Mine does not drain as you described. I change it out twice each season and never witnessed this.



Scott

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Nor did mine drain back like this... before or after the upgrade.

I'd check the 10 or 11(?) bolts that hold the VB in place. If any of them are loose you will have the symptom you describe... . in fact, loosening the bolts a couple 'O three turns will allow you to syphon off a majority of your ATF. This is particularly useful if the TC doesn't have a drain plug... as is the case for most all of the OEM units.



pb.