well crap.......moved my new [to me] truck (2013 F150 FX4) yesterday to cut grass, and there was a wet spot in the driveway about 10" across. Transmission fluid. crawled under the truck and leak is coming from bottom of the bell housing. Apparently this is a common leak on 2011-early2012 F150's but not as common on the 2013's. it's about a $12 part (pump seal), but have to pull the trans to fix. from what I can tell it's about a $300-500 bill if not under warranty. Worst case scenario is the torque converter needs replaced which bumps it up to quite a bit more.

sprayed some degreaser on the bottom of the trans and hosed it off real good and parked in a clean spot so I can tell if it starts leaking again, and if so, how much.

As of about an hour ago, it has not leaked anymore....but I can't imagine it would leak just that one time and then magically stop.

Fortunately when I bought the truck, the seller provided a transferable ext warranty that's good until June 2020 or 100k miles (I'm at 66k now). Really hoping it was just a bizarre fluke that doesn't return, but I know that isn't likely. Hopefully, if something does break, it goes ahead and does it while it's under warranty.

It might be a temperature related thing.
Leaks more when it's hot & less when it's cool kinda thinking.

I would go take it for a drive and then do your test.

I drove it to work this morning, trans got up to normal operating temp (195ish). It'll sit until 5, so we'll see if it leaks any today.

Since you have a warranty, I'd push to replace the seal anyway now if it's a known problem and the new seal would correct the issue.

this^^^^

I'll give it a shot, but per the fine print in the warranty, they won't replace unless it is determined it is necessary, which would require it to continue leaking. Also, seems to be mixed results as to whether or not it permanently fixes the issue.... So yeah, part of me hopes it doesn't come back, but the other part of me hopes it does so I can get it replaced.....arghhh

you should have sold the truck to me

If it leaked once, there's a problem. How would that not be deemed a necessary fix?

because if you take it to the dealership and there's no evidence of a leak at the time, they're going to say there is no issue. But yeah, if it leaks any more, which I assume it will, it'll be going in.

I don't want to see this. I just rolled over 100k with my 13 a few weeks ago and was getting ready to do the transmission filter and fluid. They recommend it at 150K but I don't know how I feel about that. Hope it's an easy fix for you.

UPDATE: just got off the phone with the dealership. based on my VIN, there are no TSB's for my truck (due to the year model), but it IS the transmission (6r80) that was known to have the leak issue. He said, based on where the leak is coming from, that it sounds like either the pump seal or the torque converter seal. said a rough estimate was $900-1000 out the door, and they'd have to keep it overnight. He confirmed that they couldn't really confirm it until there is a visible leak again, but said if I cleaned it yesterday, it will probably show back up in 2-3 days. Now I'm wishing I hadn't cleaned it off so I could've gone ahead and got it in the shop and fixed.

Hopefully this extended warranty is worth the money the previous owner paid for it....

*fingers crossed*

The good news, for you, is that on virtually all of the threads I've read, most people experience the leaking issue around 50-70k miles. Mine has 66k. I'd venture to guess if yours hasn't leaked yet, you'll probably be alright.

I was venting to my dad about it, about how I'd researched trucks for 6 months and never heard about the issue....he brought up a good point that pretty much every manufacturer has at least 1 or 2 "common issues" like this. But the Fords seem to be pretty damn solid otherwise, so if this is all I have to worry about, I suppose it could be a lot worse.

Yeah I get the distinctive pleasure of listening to my cam phasers rattle every morning like a Sherman tank in the Ardennes in late 1944.

Everything I've read says the cam phaser issue isn't exactly common with the 5.0's. It was later 5.4's that were notorious for it. Also mentioned that it wasn't particularly bad, so much as just annoying. I think I remember that using an OEM oil filter, as opposed to aftermarket, or something like that lessened the effect of it, but don't remember exactly what it was

The morning turbuh diesel

my FIL would tell you to get some high temp rtv and run a bead around it.lol

Yeah it was a problem with the 5.4s and even more common on the EcoBoost that I have. I have gotten several oil analysis reports and my engine is in much lower wear numbers than 98% of the ones they have data on. No codes or drivability issues. Just gonna live with it.

Do the pump seal and the converter seal while it is out. Sometimes when doing a fluid change, if the pan bolts are overtightened under the pump seal it will leak.

Have you checked your transmission fluid level?

This is a PITA. You have to do it with the truck level, and get under it. It doesn't have a dipstick like normal. It has one on the pan only accessible from under the truck