1999 f-350 Diesel Transmission Leaks Badly, then Stops Leaking after Cooling

[BIG Country]

Today, I had been pulling a 20 ft. pontoon boat for about 1.5 hours. I started to smell a strange smell coming through the vents. Through the "weep hole" on the front of the transmission, there was a very large flow of transmission fluid pouring onto the ground. I shut off the engine and the leaking stopped after a couple of minutes. When I started the engine again, the flow of transmission fluid started again. I then checked the transmission fluid levels and it was still within the range on the dip stick.

After letting the engine and transmission cool down for another 30 minutes, I started the engine and there was only a drip or two coming out of the hole. I drove for a couple of miles and checked again. The hole, again, had nothing coming out of it. I repeated this procedure of checking fluid on stick and looking under at the tranny the rest of the way home.

Any suggestions on what would make the transmission leak like a water hose, then stop leaking all together. Thanks. Ken

[goon]

make sure it is tranny fluid not engine oil or diesel fuel. The reason i am saying this if there is a leak at the top of the engine it will go down the v(between the two heads) and there is a hole at the back where it will go into the trans and out the front of the trans and motor, you may think its tranny fluid. If it is trans fluid you may of over heated it, make sure you have a cooler installed. Most diesel have a larger cooler in front of the rads.

[BIG Country]

I do have a cooler installed. Could it be faulty or should I look for a problem in another area? Thanks.

Ken

[mdsmw1985]

It could be that the fluid is old and cant handle the heat as well as it should. When was the last time you changed the fluid in your transmission? I would do a service flush before changing out parts just to be sure.