Transmission fluid leak from behind instrument cluster

kenlee · 04-02-2008, 07:52 PM

I have a '93 ford escort with 5 speed manual transmission, today I noticed what appears to be oil dripping on the floor between the clutch and brake pedals. It doesn't do it all the time, it is not coming from the brake or clutch master cylinders, but from above the steering shaft. I was told that the fluid is oil from the transmission, possibly coming from a vacumn line. Anyone have any experience or ideas on what is really happening?

tk_tabler · 06-09-2008, 06:10 PM

I also have this problem. It started after I had the clutch replaced and the trans filled. Of course the fill is the speedometer cable - trans conection. My theory is trans fluid is "augoring" up the speed cable and dumping out at the top (maybe there's a seal at the top that got unseated with the work at the bottom end.....). My leak wasn't to consistent either until in noticed a relationship between speed and leak. I even convinced the mechanic about the oil running up the cable. They replaced the conection part in hopes that the original had a bad seal. Still leaks and they have given up on me. Now that it's getting hotter, it's leaking more. The ONLY good thing is that its a center leak, dosen't drip on the shoes or pants.... Can we build on this??

planoescort · 07-20-2008, 07:13 PM

I also have this problem. First, I had the transmission fluid leak out the speed sensor. And the speedometer cable broke so I put a new one in, but still leaked out the base. I took the car to a transmission shop where they replaced the speed sensor O-rings with old but better ones off a sensor they had there. The large round one and the small one in the top where the speedometer cable goes in (and the special circlip holds the cable against it). This didn't stop the leaking at the base of the sensor. I took it back and they said I should just replace the speed sensor. I replaced it with a new one with brand new o-rings. I refilled the transmission. And everything was fine until I got the car up to highway speed and it started leaking out of the speedometer housing under the dash. Like tk_tabler's theories, there is a correlation between speed/heat and leakage.
I have an added possibility, the manual says to replace the fluid with automatic transmission fluid, not 30w oil. The tranmission shop told me they always put 30w oil in the case and never tranny fuild. I never had a problem until I replaced the clutch 5 years ago and that's when it started leaking out the speed sensor base in small quantities. With the new speed sensor the o-rings are tight so it can only auger up the cable and dump out the speedometer. All the mechanics I talked to had no clue of the problem. I want to drain the tranny fluid and put the thicker 30w oil in with the hope that the thicker oil will not auger up past the o-rings as it is too dense unlike tranny fluid . Does anyone/mechanic have the real answer to this problem?

tk_tabler · 07-24-2008, 04:18 AM

Planoescort,

I thought the mechanic accidently put auto-tranny fluid in instead of XXw oil. They assured my auto-tranny was spec. Looked it up on the web; yep auto-tranny fluid. Still find it hard to believe. A Ford gear-hear I work with said the tighter tolerances on the transmission gears allow for the thinner wt oil. Still,.....

This has to happening to a lot of escorts; getting up their in age and needing a new clutch. For now, I've stuffed paper towls up there to stop it from dripping on the floor mat.

I'll be checking back now and then to see if anybody has an answer. Be interesting if the Ford engineer who designed the thing would post.

mike lynch · 07-26-2008, 07:53 PM

just so the techs did it right you fill the trans up to the top of the speedo gear, not over as this causes cavitation and thus psi to force fluid uphill as it were,also make sure vent hose is venting.

DanielSmyers · 08-04-2008, 04:21 PM

Greetings All....

I had this same problem with my 1994 Escort (1.9L) w/5 speed manual transmission. I was worried when my feet started to get sprayed with mercon (a mechanic said it must of been brake fluid, however I know the difference) After doing some research I replaced the VSS (variable speed sensor), that did not stop the problem. Next, I thought the cable must of spun so I replaced the VSS again, put a new cable and housing in, OMG, it still leaked. Then, I was having a conversation with someone and the topic of pressure came up, I had a brain storm and located on the top of my transmission case (left front) the breather vent, I popped the cap off and what did I find but a clogged breather vent, I used a piece of wire and cleaned the gunk out so the port was opened again, put a new piece of rubber tubbing over the port (to raise the vent higher) and I put a one-way valve on the end, attached the new vent to the side of the block and I haven't had any more leaks.

Buy the way, when you fill the trans with mercon, please don't go any higher than the bottom of the gear on the VSS.

Good luck.

planoescort · 08-04-2008, 08:30 PM

Daniel,

I think you have the solution. I had talked to a speedometer shop guy that I found on the Internet. He was in Florida and did not speak English. But, his son tranlated to me that there was a clogged vent to my transmission. I check Alldata and could not find any reference to transmission vents. So, I just guessed the old guy was wrong about the Escort. I have already looked the tranny over and can't find the vent. Where exactly is the vent and could you get a pic of it by chance?

stylingtwagon · 08-04-2008, 09:07 PM

hes right go figure i dont have this problem but damn does it make sense !

SFguy · 08-10-2008, 05:50 PM

Thank You Very Much!!
I've been fighting this problem for a month. I put a new VSS as advised in other forums but that didn't work. I've been putting off buying new shoes until I figure this out 'cause there's no sense getting them all oily. My wife is tired of oil in the entry way.

Would it be possible to post a picture or a detailed description of the transmission vent location. I'm getting tired of scrubbing footprints off the garage floor.

Thank You,

Mark

tk_tabler · 08-11-2008, 07:55 AM

SFguy, et al;

I've had good luck with the paper towells stuffed up between the Speedo Cable and an air duct way up there. This past week I caught my first drip on the floor mat and replaced the towels. At least that keep the oil "contained" and off the shoes. As far as the location of the vent, it's basically under the air intake hose, about 4" above the height of the sensor. Look for a good sized horizontal surface. The cap should be somewhat loose and rotatable.