I have a 1990 Ford Mustang LX 2.3L and I recently discoverd a leak coming from under the car. The leak appears to be coming from the gear box, but when I looked more closley under the car i saw that the entire transmission was covered in a gunky oil type substance. Does any one know what that couldbe from? Thank You
Transmission fluid or motor oil that leaked and dried on the casing of the transmission.It's very common in a car that age.The transmission often has a vent hole or gasket connecting the engine that will Weep as the transmission fluid heats up and expands.It's got to go some where,so it will find any little opening to force itself out of.Your gaskets by now are rotting from age,increasing the amount of leakage.
If it's an automatic, it goes down the dipstick tube. A manual has a 2 plugs on the passenger side, the bottom is the drain, the upper is the fill. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES DO YOU UNSCREW ANYTHING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE!!! You will lose the reverse detent lever in the trans and have to disassemble it.
If by chance the floor board is covered neer the rear of the trans. It could just be your extention case seal. Not hard to fix. It's in the end of the trans where the drive shaft goes in. If the leak is more in front where the trans. bolts to the engine it could be the rear main seal in the engine. Not good. it's time for the shop or some one that knows how to wrench. If it's an automatic it could be the pan gasket. Not hard to fix
