A4LD tranny leak

[bearslayer]

I just baught my first ranger. It is a 92 with the 4.0L motor and the A4LD automatic tranny and it is 4x4. I was driving it yesterday in 4low first gear. After driving for about an hour i notice a funny smell. When i crawled under the truck i noticed it was leaking pretty fast at the bell housing and onto the exhaust pipe. would this just be because it was too hot? If i blew out a seal what is the best way for me to know for sure. anyother ideas or tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you
Bearslayer

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

was it comming out of the bellhousing? If so the front pump seal might have blown.

 

[bearslayer]

yes it was. this morning i went out to work on it and check the fluid level. there was no fluid on the dipstick. i add fluid and wiped the bottom of the bell housing clean. i started the truck and let it run for about 10 to 15 min to get it warmed up. it leaked for about 5 minutes, just a few drops a min and then it quit. any suggestions. if it is the seal you are talking about would i be better off taking it to a shop or is it something a novice like me can do?

 

[igiveup]

Hello

Don't drive it. The front seal is blown and a good chance you cooked your trany like I did. If you want to stay A4LD then get one from a 94-95 4.0l since they are built a lot stonger.

Good luck and have fun changing it like I did.

igiveup

 

[Butch2112]

DON'T DRIVE IT! DON'T DRIVE IT! No really DON'T DRIVE IT!
I have been through the A4LD nightmare when its right its a good tranny when its wrong you are sk@#$* Check your local shops and see who the expert is that rebuilds them. When you have it rebuilt have them do everything not just a "soft parts" rebuild. Put a HUGE transmission cooler inline and add a tranny temp gauge. I had a 95 A4ld put in my 91 ranger supercab and it still runs like a champ. I like an automatic but it is a total nightmare when you have trouble with it. Good luck

 

[IDontCare]

there 10 bucks at a parts store for a new "front pump seal",........ but you have to remove the trans, and its kind of tough to pull the old one off the front of the bell housing, it is a ring that fits over the input shaft. its not easy to remove neither. Good Luck.

 

[Butch2112]

If you keep the A4ld you will get good at droping the tranny. First time it took me about 3 and a half hours. Now I can drop one in about an hour. Putting it back goes faster too but I have had a lot of practice. Good luck