Smoking Fairmont

[sleekism]

I was on the way home from a long trip and pulled over for a minute and noticed a smell like burning oil and smoke coming from under the car.

Looking underneath the car I noticed that where the transmission connects to the driveshaft was covered in oil and had sprayed oil on to the exaust thus the burning smell.

There was drips of oil up the length of the driveshaft and the diff also had oil on it appearing to be from itself noticeably around the seals.

Oil is dripping from the transmission at the back near the driveshaft from an unknown source at around a rate of one drip per 15 seconds.

The car still runs perfectly fine with normal oil pressure, smooth running, no warning lights and the car doesn't appear to be in limp home mode. There has been no noticeable drop in oil level and the oil is still a good colour.

Any ideas?

Is it possibly an oil leak from the engine running down on to the transmission ands then being sprayed on to the exaust? Is an oily diff normal. All the old Falcons at home have slow leaks around the diff seals but should I expect this from a 8 year old car?

Thanks,

[chrispie123]

sounds like the extension housing seal has gone in the transmisson, checking the motor oil dip stick wouldnt read this as it is oil for the transmission, they are an easy seal to replace tail shaft out seal out new seal in tail shaft back in, the filler for auto boxes is on the side of it

[peterban]

There was a posting showing all the possible places the transmissions leak I think it is this one with post number 15 supplying the photos
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...ission+service

[The Monty]

Rear main seal?
Saw one let go on an XR6T. Made a lot of smoke, lol.

[blacklabel]

Both The Monty and chrispie123 are onto it.

I have just had 2 leaks fixed on my AU1 Futura(254,000km)transmission.
The worst was the main seal on the rear housing,where your trans joins main shaft.I had the tell-tale burning smell from the splatter getting onto the exhaust,and also the regular coin-sized spots left on the concrete in my drive.
Chances are they will have to replace the whole rear extension housing,or certainly the bush as it gets worn "oval",hence the leaking seal.My mechanic found one of these for $90
-not sure what they might cost in oz.
I would also have you/your mechanic check the gaskets on the 2 side housings( I think these cover the solenoids/relays etc..) as they were also leaking slightly.Not a "failure" so much-just symptomatic of high kms wear and tear.

All up, it only cost me $160NZ + GST-so it's not a major or costly problem.
But if you leave it too long it could be,as even the small drop in fluid level from my leaks began to play havoc with my auto late shifting and beginning to lose drive going around some corners! Scary situation-especially at intersections with a bus up your date....lol

Good luck

[stiddy]

100% the rear main extention housing seal.
The seal itself is very cheap, ~$5 mark.. and easy to do yourself, just make sure it goes in straight. I found the easiest way was to get a BIG socket piece that the rubber bit of the seal fits into so it sits flush on the metal edge, line it up straight and give it a few taps with a hammer. gasket glue, sealer and such arent needed, but I use it anyway.
The metal bush, ive never had to replace, but I have had to take the extention housing off.. easy job, just time consuming (45-60 mins to if you've done it before and get stuck into it). Tailshaft has to come out, gearbox mount has to come off, handbrake cable is in the way, and the top 2 bolts on the extention housing are a pain to get to.
If you need to take the extention housing off to fish out the steel bush, get a long flat head screw driver or a chisel and a hammer, on the inside of the extention housing carefully tap the inner edge on opposite sides of eachother, this will prevent the steel bush from sliding into the extention housing again.