Leak Check Test with a Black Light

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Ford RV Cutaway, 2008 Ford Econoline, 2008 Ford E450 Super Duty, and 2008 Ford Cutaway. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Dye-Lite® ATF/Power Steering Fluid Leak Detection Dye 164-R3701 or equivalent (specifically formulated for ATF) is used to detect a transmission fluid leak.

Add dye to the transmission fluid. Use one 30.0 mL (1 oz.) of dye solution for every 3.8L (4 qt) of transmission fluid.
Start and run the engine until the transaxle/transmission reaches its normal operating temperature. Observe the back of the cylinder block and top of the torque converter housing for evidence of transmission fluid leakage. Raise the vehicle on a hoist and run the engine at fast idle, then at engine idle, occasionally shifting to the DRIVE and REVERSE ranges to increase pressure within the transmission. Observe the front of the flexplate, back of the cylinder block (in as far as possible), inside the torque converter housing and the entire case until transmission fluid leakage is evident and the probable source of leakage can be determined.

EXTERNAL TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKS

Leak Path	Possible Source
Leaks at the transmission fluid pan-to-case	Pan bolts not tightened to specification. Case pan rail damaged. Pan gasket damaged.
Transmission fluid cooler tubes or fittings leaking	Cooler tube(s), cooler tube fitting(s) damaged. Cooler tube fittings-to-case union damaged. Case damaged at case fitting. Fittings not tightened to specifications.
Transmission fluid cooler tube nut-to-case fittings leaking	Damaged or missing O-ring seals. Fittings not tightened to specifications.
Leaks at the transmission fluid cooler	Transmission fluid cooler damage. Fitting(s) damaged or not tightened to specifications.
Leaks at the external sensors	Damaged or missing O-ring seals. Screw not tightened to specifications.
Leaks at the manual control lever seal	Damaged or missing lever seal.
Leaks at the solenoid body harness connector	Install a new solenoid body harness connector O-ring seal. Either on the harness end or the solenoid body.
Transmission fluid leakage in the torque converter area	For possible sources, refer to Transmission Fluid Leakage In Torque Converter Area Chart.