Leak Check Test With A Black Light
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 Mercury Grand Marquis and 2009 Ford Crown Victoria. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
WARNING:
If equipped with fire suppression system, refer to FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM
article for Important Safety Warnings. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.
Dye-Lite® ATF/Power Steering Fluid Leak Detection Dye 164-R3701 (Rotunda) (specifically formulated for ATF) is used to detect a transmission fluid leak.
- Add detection 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 reaches its normal operating temperature. Observe the back of the cylinder block and top of the torque converter housing for evidence of 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 transaxle. 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 fluid leakage is evident and the probable source of leakage can be determined.
EXTERNAL FLUID LEAKS
| Leak Path | Possible Source |
|---|---|
| Leaks at the fluid pan-to-case fittings |
|
| Fluid cooler lines or fittings leaking |
|
| Fluid cooler line nut-to-case fittings leaking |
|
| Leaks at the fluid cooler |
|
| Leaks at external sensors |
|
| Leaks at the manual control lever seal |
|
| Leaks at the solenoid body harness connector |
|
| Fluid leakage in the torque converter area |
|