My girlfriend has a 1997 f150, 6 cyl triton motor, with 4wd. This vehical has sprang a large leak when running, between the torque converter, and transmission. Three tranny shops and four tranny techs can find nothing wrong when the trannsmission and torque converter are removed for inspection. Tranny and torque has been tested. Front pump has had o rings and bushings replaced. Filter and fluid replaced. Truck has no problems shifting or working, except I loose about 1 quart a mile of tranny fluid. Vent tubes are not plugged. What else could cause this problem? Could Torque converter still be bad after pressure test? Maybe an electric senseor, or plugged line to radiator cooler, or possibly tranny is stuck in between 2 and 4wd? Im bringing this truck home tomorrow, and need to know what the problem is before I buy anything.

Have you tried taking it to a ford dealership? If nothing else, I'd just shoot for a new tranny, if its affordable. It would probably save you money in the long run anyway. Or just have your whole tranny rebuilt

What I am finding out is that even dealerships dont rebuild these things, but replace the whole tranny. It is very expensive, and I am concerned with problems after we replace or rebuild this tranny. The transmission works fine other than the leak. To just replace things without knowing what is wrong bothers me. Before I replace, I need to know what is wrong, as it may not be the tranny at all. Thanks for the post.

If you have an ATF leak from the T/C area, you have either a T/C hub or front pump busing issue. Either way, the trans has to come out for proper inspection and repair.

Most Ford shops around here are more than willing to actually FIX a trans, anything from a new Sol., to a complete overhaul.

Did they check flywheel when tranny was removed. If the flywheel is out of line/bent or cracked it can cock the converter slightly and will cause leak when driving as you described.

i vote on the front bushing havinf turned on you
i had one that did and it blew tranny fluid all over the place