I got a leak coming from my torque converter bell housing plug area. Sure it's one of the gaskets up there but any ideas of possible other causes? Starting to leak more than it did. Heres a photo.

 

What year is your truck? There was a casting issue on the earlier heads that made them leak on the passenger side, right above the starter. It always finds its way to that plug in your photo.



EDIT: This attached TSB only says 1999, but it affected 97 to 2001, as I recall. My motor is a Ford reman from 2001, and it has the fix done to it. Look and see what the issue was....

 

It's a 2001. Hmm that could be a possibility with the modular leak.

 

Is it oil or transmission fluid? If it's transmission fluid could be the front seal, if it's oil it could be the rear main seal, in either case the transmission and engine have to be separated to repair. If it's the head gasket the starter should also be covered in oil.

 

It appears to be oil. Starting to think it might be the rear main.

 

I have the same leak in this spot. It’s oil as well, in my case. I asked around about & I was told it was likely the rear main seal leaking but since it’s only a drop hear & there that it wasn’t a big deal.

Does anyone know how labor intensive this job would be to fix the rear main seal? I’m guessing it’s too much to be done by the novice (even that’s being too generous) DIY mechanic like myself.

 

Unless it leaving a big stain in the driveway when parked, I would leave it alone. If there is a TSB, you still will have to absorb the costs.
I would wash down the area and go investigating afterwards just to know exactly where the oil is leaking from.

 

I believe it's a pretty intensive job have to drop the trans down, got to separate the trans from the engine. Ya mine wasnt a big deal to a drop here and there but now starting to leave a stain.

 

Ya it's just now starting to leave a little stain, no stain before. I'll have to give it a good wash down and do some investigating.