Ford 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual page 2375

22 7D273
23 87650-S2
Fluid Leakage in Torque Converter Area
In diagnosing and correcting fluid leaks in the front pump support and gear and torque converter area,
use the following procedures to locate the exact cause of the leakage. Leakage at the front of
transmission, as evidenced by fluid around the torque converter housing, may have several sources.
By careful observation it is possible, in many instances, to pinpoint the source of leak before removing
the transmission from the vehicle. The paths which the fluid takes to reach the bottom of the torque
converter housing are shown in the illustration. The five steps following correspond with the numbers
in the illustration.
1. Fluid leaking by the front pump seal lip will tend to move along the impeller hub and onto the
back of the impeller housing. Except in the case of a total seal failure, fluid leakage by the lip of
the seal will be deposited on the inside of the torque converter housing only, near the outside
diameter of the housing.
2. Fluid leakage by the outside diameter of the front pump seal and front pump body will follow the
same path that leaks by the inside diameter of the front pump seal follow.
3. Fluid that leaks by a front pump to case bolt or pump gasket will be deposited on the inside of
the torque converter housing only. Fluid will not be deposited on the back of the torque
converter.
4. Fluid leakage from the converter drain plug, (model dependent) converter seal weld or converter
to flexplate stud weld will appear at the outside diameter of the torque converter on the back
face of the flexplate and in the converter housing only near the flexplate. Fluid leaks from the
torque converter will leave a ring of fluid around the inside of the torque converter housing.
5. NOTE: White facial tissue paper may aid in determining the color (red is transmission fluid) and
source of the leaking fluid.
Engine oil leaks are sometimes incorrectly diagnosed as transmission pump gasket leaks. The
Fluid tube connector
Converter drain plug