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Home >> Ford >> 2012 >> Explorer Limited, 3.5 8, AWD >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 27 (Automatic Transmission - 6R140 (TORQSHIFT-R-6)) >> Diagnosis & Testing >> Leakage Inspection >> Leak Check Test with A Black Light

Leak Check Test with A Black Light

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Ford F-550 Super Duty, 2013 Ford F-450 Super Duty, 2013 Ford F-350 Super Duty, and 2013 Ford F-250 Super Duty. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
NOTE: Use Dye-Lite® ATF/Power Steering Fluid Leak Detection Dye to detect a transmission fluid leak.

Add dye to the transmission fluid. Use one 30 ml (1 oz) of dye solution for every 3.8L (4 qt) of transmission fluid. Add additional transmission fluid until it is at the correct level. Such dyes can be used to determine whether an engine fluid or transmission fluid leak is present, or if the fluid in the transmission fluid cooler leaks into the engine coolant system. An ultraviolet light must be used to detect the fluorescent dye solution.

  1. Clean any transmission fluid from the top and bottom of the torque converter housing, front of the case and rear face of the engine and oil pan. Clean the torque converter area by washing with a suitable non-flammable solvent and blow-dry with compressed air.
  2. Wash the torque converter housing and the front of the flexplate. The torque converter housing may be washed using clean solvent and a squirt-type oil can. Blow-dry all washed areas with compressed air.
  3. Use the scan tool and monitor transmission fluid temperature. Start and run the engine until the transmission reaches its normal operating temperature. Shift the transmission through all gear ranges to make sure the dye has circulated through the transmission. Using a suitable tool, observe the back of the cylinder block and top of the torque converter housing for evidence of transmission fluid leakage. Observe the front of the flexplate, back of the cylinder block (in as far as possible) and inside the torque converter housing and front of the case. Run the engine until transmission fluid leakage is evident and the probable source of leakage can be determined. Repair as required.
EXTERNAL TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKS

Description Possible Source
Leaks at the transmission fluid pan to case
  • Transmission fluid pan bolts not tightened to specification
  • Transmission fluid pan gasket damaged
  • Case transmission fluid pan rail damaged
Transmission fluid cooler tubes or O-rings leaking
  • Transmission fluid cooler tube(s), transmission fluid cooler tube O-rings damaged
  • Transmission fluid cooler tube hold-down plate damaged
Leaks at the transmission fluid cooler
  • Transmission fluid cooler damaged
  • Transmission fluid cooler tube O-rings damaged
Leaks at the manual control lever
  • Manual control lever seal missing or damaged
Transmission harness connector
  • O-ring on connector missing or damaged
Output shaft seal
  • Seal missing or damaged
  • Output shaft nut loose or damaged
Extension housing leak
  • Extension housing bolts not tightened to specification
  • Extension housing gasket damaged
  • Case to extension housing damaged
Park pawl plug
  • Park pawl plug loose or missing
Drain plug
  • Drain plug loose, missing or damaged
Case plugs
  • Line pressure plug loose, missing or damaged
  • Feed and return plugs loose, missing or damaged