Ptu shot?

[FOSHOMATT]

Hey guys any input on this? Smelled like ptu fluidly burning and saw this. Is this ptu shot or can I replace that seal? This is my second ptu not sure if it was replaced before I bought the car. I’m out of warranty sadly but I can purchase a new one but I’m sure they would fail the inspection if they saw this lol Thanks everyone

 

[SHOdded]

PTU fluid leaks will come from one of 3 locations:
1) the PTU - axle seal
2) the PTU - driveshaft seal
3) the PTU vent

Either of these seals is repairable by a pro - 2 hrs book time + parts, as long as you have the correct tools for them. At this point, I would

a) check PTU fluid level and make sure it is full, and
b) clean the area around the seal and track th progress of the leak

A mixture of transmission fluid/PTU fluid can leak out the vent OR the trans-PTU seal.

 

[6500rpm]

I can't really get a feel for how bad it is from the pictures. If it's PP equipped it's pretty simple-pull the plug and drain the fluid. Look to see if there's anything clearly metallic in the fluid and see what's stuck to the magnet on the drain plug (if it's big and chunky you're pretty much done). I never did a driveshaft seal so I can't comment on what's involved. If it's not a PP car, even checking things is a lot more difficult. Post the year and if it is/isn't PP equipped and I can see if I can find something in PTS.

Edit-I looked up what's involved in replacing the pinion seal for my car and it's about the same as for any rwd differential. Without the special tools you'll have to fabricate something to hold the pinion ****** to remove and torque the nut and possibly another to pull the ****** depending on how tight is on. Main parts are going to be a new collapsible spacer, seal, and nut. Mark the ****** in relation to the pinion shaft before disassembly and the nut needs to be torqued to 105 ft/lbs which is a pretty hefty pull if you're working under the car on jack stands.
If the PTU isn't toast and it turns out to be a pinion seal it's probably less work than a PTU replacement, if you're really fortunate it's just weeping out the vent and running down the back of the PTU.

 

[FOSHOMATT]

I can't really get a feel for how bad it is from the pictures. If it's PP equipped it's pretty simple-pull the plug and drain the fluid. Look to see if there's anything clearly metallic in the fluid and see what's stuck to the magnet on the drain plug (if it's big and chunky you're pretty much done). I never did a driveshaft seal so I can't comment on what's involved. If it's not a PP car, even checking things is a lot more difficult. Post the year and if it is/isn't PP equipped and I can see if I can find something in PTS.

Edit-I looked up what's involved in replacing the pinion seal for my car and it's about the same as for any rwd differential. Without the special tools you'll have to fabricate something to hold the pinion ****** to remove and torque the nut and possibly another to pull the ****** depending on how tight is on. Main parts are going to be a new collapsible spacer, seal, and nut. Mark the ****** in relation to the pinion shaft before disassembly and the nut needs to be torqued to 105 ft/lbs which is a pretty hefty pull if you're working under the car on jack stands.
If the PTU isn't toast and it turns out to be a pinion seal it's probably less work than a PTU replacement, if you're really fortunate it's just weeping out the vent and running down the back of the PTU.

Its a non pp I have had it replaced about 2 years ago and just started changing the fluid about 5 months ago. I dont get very much out.
Im not sure where the vent is but ill look more closer. Thanks everyone!

 

[SHOdded]

You probably have the vent extension tube going up into the engine bay if a later MY SHO. You can follow that down to the vent, maybe? Otherwise there will be a stubby vent cap atop the PTU.

 

[FOSHOMATT]

You probably have the vent extension tube going up into the engine bay if a later MY SHO. You can follow that down to the vent, maybe? Otherwise there will be a stubby vent cap atop the PTU.

I don’t have the vent tube coming up. I went back down and still saw there was a bit of oil after spraying Everything down with brake clean. It doesn’t smell like trans oil either cause when changing the ptu fluid it smells horrible so I knew it was ptu fluid. Then drove it to work and back and looked and still looks wet. Haven’t had the chance to get back to look st the vent but maybe when I had my engine replaced they didn’t reinstall the long vent tube? But if fluid is coming out of the vent doesn’t mean it’s fine? Wouldn’t it mean it’s over heating or what not?

 

[SHOdded]

I looked back through your posts and saw you have a 2010. So no extension vent, just the stubby on the PTU. Although IDK if they install extension vents no replacements, looks like it is optional, if the vehicle did not come originally so equipped.

If fluid is coming out the vent, it is either bad or super bad. You said it smells like gear oil, so no trans-ptu seal leak at least. But since you are also getting very little fluid out when draining/filling, the fluid is very very thick OR you are not getting to the lowest point of the PTU. If it is thick OR overfilled, it will come out the vent by design to relieve case pressure. This can also clog the vent over time, so it is a good idea to clean the vent along with replacing the fluid when stuff like this happens. Extra work for sure.

 

[FOSHOMATT]

I looked back through your posts and saw you have a 2010. So no extension vent, just the stubby on the PTU. Although IDK if they install extension vents no replacements, looks like it is optional, if the vehicle did not come originally so equipped.

If fluid is coming out the vent, it is either bad or super bad. You said it smells like gear oil, so no trans-ptu seal leak at least. But since you are also getting very little fluid out when draining/filling, the fluid is very very thick OR you are not getting to the lowest point of the PTU. If it is thick OR overfilled, it will come out the vent by design to relieve case pressure. This can also clog the vent over time, so it is a good idea to clean the vent along with replacing the fluid when stuff like this happens. Extra work for sure.

So I went down again it’s not coming from the vent. I saw some clean fluid it looked like dripping from the whiteish part.

 

[SHOdded]

so it is the ptu-driveshaft seal? not familiar with the seal color of that one. about 1.6-2 hrs labor to replace. ptu-axle seal is about the same labor.

 

[FOSHOMATT]

Yeah the drive shaft seal sorry well Atleast it won’t go boom then lol hopefully

 

[SHOdded]

A leak is a leak, needs to be addressed, urgency depending on speed of the leak. Only one trick to replacing that seal:

CAUTION: Rotational torque of the PTU rear output shaft ****** must be measured and recorded using a Nm (lb-in) torque wrench for correct pinion bearing preload when reassembled.

Using a suitable torque wrench, measure and record the rotational torque.

Otherwise? Yup, leak again.

The vent should also be checked to make sure it is not plugged, as that is another reason seal leaks occur.

 

[FOSHOMATT]

A leak is a leak, needs to be addressed, urgency depending on speed of the leak. Only one trick to replacing that seal:

CAUTION: Rotational torque of the PTU rear output shaft ****** must be measured and recorded using a Nm (lb-in) torque wrench for correct pinion bearing preload when reassembled.

Using a suitable torque wrench, measure and record the rotational torque.

Otherwise? Yup, leak again.

The vent should also be checked to make sure it is not plugged, as that is another reason seal leaks occur.

Well I should I replace the vent cap or can I reuse the cap? Just pry off with a screw driver? Ill see if I can do the seal. What tools should you use for that seal? Again thanks everyone for the help truly appreciate it!

 

[SHOdded]

If you want to learn how to be DIY with your SHO you really should look thru the DIY section on EBPF in addition to the great info posted on shoforum ...
https://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/board,107.0.html

As far as taking off the vent, yes, a flatbladed screwdriver, some effort, and some grunting will help. You may want to go ahead and install an updated vent or reinstall the old one, up to you.
https://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,6849.0.html


As for instructions, attached. Tools can be rented from your local auto parts store, most likely.

Removing the driveshaft is straightforward, but I am always a little leery of seals. Make sure not to nick or get 'em dirty in any way.

 

[FOSHOMATT]

Here’s a picture of the vent. Looks just dirty to me from road crap and whatnot. Going to remove it tomorrow and clean it out. I’m assuming just brake clean the crap out of it? Also If I can rent the tools from my local auto shop I’ll take a stab at replacing the driveshaft seal. Looked on fords part website and says the kit is on back order. Time to learn something new, won’t know I can do it or not without trying!

 

[SHOdded]

The vent looks fine to me, never went kablooie. But yeah brake clean cfcfree works well. Search for the vent extension on ebay and various dealer sites like tasca, levittown, autonation of white bear lake, etc. might strike gold!

 

[FOSHOMATT]

Here’s a update, after about almost 6000 to 8000 miles changed the fluid and couldn’t get the vent out. The fluid looked brand new. Not sure if that’s a sign or anything but I was expecting black fluid. Nothing on the fill plug either no sludge or metal shavings on the magnet as well. Could it mean fluid isn’t moving around?