Losing transmission fluid on Ford 4000

dennis1200 · Jun 16, 2014

I've got a '72 Ford 4000, and all has been well after some repairs here and there. I've been doing a lot of hard mowing (5' tall forests of thistle and box elders), probably a good 20-30 hours, and towards the tail end the gears would occasionally grind when trying to shift. I adjusted the clutch free play (was 3/4", should be 1-1/4"), but also had to add about a gallon of hytran (full capacity is 14 quarts). This made it all better.

But... I've noticed a little dripping between the engine block and transmission housing when I park the tractor, but today I got off while the tractor was still running to look at it and I had a solid stream of fluid coming out. I can see right inside and there are moving parts splattering fluid out. But it also looks like this is supposed to be there - not something obviously rusted through or a failed gasket. After I stopped the tractor, it slowed to a slow drip, and only lost a couple ounces or so in total (might have overfilled it a bit too). But is this normal? I'm just looking for an explanation and whether it's something I need to fix. Photos are attached.

sotxbill · Jun 16, 2014

Probably.. the front seal on the tranny is leaking, especially if you over filled it. pull the check plug on side and drain it down to proper level...Otherwise the gears will throw fluid like a tornado in the gear box...

afterwards it should fix problem and you will not have to worry.

This model will always grind the gears if you are not completely stopped. It is not a syncromesh transmission, so it will grind a bunc,h if your moving just a bit.

Sean in PA · Jun 17, 2014

That open window is to view the timing marks on the flywheel. There should be a small plate covering the hole except when you are timing the engine. Driving through all of that tall brush probably dislodged it if the bolt holding the plate was loose. The threaded hole down to the left of the larger opening is where the bolt threads in to hold the cover plate in place. You should replace that missing cover plate so that you don't get debris in there that might damage the clutch or the gear teeth on the flywheel or starter.

That area in the bell housing where the flywheel and clutch are located is supposed to be dry. oil in there means that either something at the rear of the engine or at the front of the transmission is leaking. A small leak is normally handled by a small hole on the very bottom of the bell housing that should have a cotter pin in it. That hole on the bottom is to allow any oil that does get in there to drip out, and the cotter pin is there to vibrate around as the tractor is running and keep he hole clear of dirt, mud and other debris that might otherwise clog the hole.

showcrop · Jun 17, 2014

As Sean says oil coming out of that hole can be either from engine or transmission. The oil in the picture looks black - too dirty for transmission fluid, but if it is washing all of the dust out of the clutch housing transmission fluid could very well be black. Either way it doesn't matter because you are going to be replacing BOTH seals in the next few days, along with clutch release bearing and PTO shaft pilot bearing. Get it all done while it is split.

showcrop · Jun 17, 2014

As Sean says oil coming out of that hole can be either from engine or transmission. The oil in the picture looks black - too dirty for transmission fluid, but if it is washing all of the dust out of the clutch housing transmission fluid could very well be black. Either way it doesn't matter because you are going to be replacing BOTH seals in the next few days, along with clutch release bearing and PTO shaft pilot bearing. Get it all done while it is split.

RodinNS · Jun 17, 2014

Make sure the transmission is drained down to the level plug... and then find the cotter pin or hole in the bottom of the bell housing and make sure that's clear so it can drain. That's what the cotter pin is for... to keep the hole open. Once you know both are correct... run it and see if it still leaks. With the level set correctly it may stop leaking. If not, plan on a clutch job, front transmission seal replacement, rear engine seal, pilot and release bearings.

Rod

Ultradog MN · Jun 17, 2014

And a 1972 would have the press in soft plugs in the back of the head and block which rust out and leak - usually just after you get it back together and run it for a while.
Never again will I split one for a clutch or seals without replacing those too.

Losing transmission fluid on Ford 4000

dennis1200

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sotxbill

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Sean in PA

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showcrop

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showcrop

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RodinNS

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Ultradog MN

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