It's using a quart about every 40 miles right now. The whole underside of the truck is oiled and when I'm stopped I can see dripping around the inspection cover. I'm thinking pump seal. Is there something more common that I'm overlooking? The other kicker is that I can't fix it til I get home, and that won't be for like 12 days. I'm also going to be towing my 34' 13,000 pound 5th wheel home... Another question: at the rate it's burning through fluid, can I just dump cheaper DexIII/Merc in there? I'm going to be putting in a new converter when I get back, and doing a full fluid change.

As for me I would'nt be towing anything with a leak like that.

As for me I would'nt be towing anything with a leak like that.

Well, unfortunately, I don't really have much of a choice. Leaving the camper in a campground at $30 a night while I drive home (1 day,) order the converter and wait (a week,) get buddies to make time to come over and help pull trans (however many days til a Saturday,) and get back up to retrieve the camper (1 day) is not an option. Stopping at every rest area and dumping in a quart or two of $3/qt transmission fluid, on the other hand, is.

Your could very well be the pump seal but it coudl also be the bushing in the pump along with the seal. I think as long as you keep a close eye on the fluid level you should be alright. just my good luck with it:pray:

Yeah, I've thought about that. I've been driving with the radio off so I can hear any odd noises and so far, I haven't heard anything. The reimbursement check for this job (500 miles from home!) can't come soon enough, I tell ya!

I bet.

Wally world sells ATF4+ for like $3.96 a quart. Not much more that Merc III.Good luck on the return trip .........

Actually it's $3.77, and it's well over a dollar a quart more than Dex3, which is currently $2.47 here. Also, finding enough +4 is always a problem for me. The last three times I've serviced the transmission, I've had to hit two or three stores to get enough fluid... And on top of that, Dex3 can be bought in gallon jugs, which are easier to deal with and a little cheaper still.

Well did you make it home OK?