Ford Repair: Automatic transmission, changing transmission fluid, ford explorer 4wd

Question
Steve,

I have a 1996 Ford Explorer 4wd with an automatic transmission. I recently changed the transmission fluid and have been having trouble with leaks and slippage since. The leaks I attributed to my carelessness and had someone else more accustomed to mechanic work to replace the gasket. Still I had leaks. Then the slipping started.Since I was still having leaks I felt it might be low fluid levels. However after driving it for a while today I checked the levels and it was well over the appropriate fill level. I may have put too much fluid in, but it calls for almost 9 quarts of fluid to fill the transmission. It has also started to make some whining noises. I would appreciate some direction on this issue.

Thanks
Ken  

Answer
Ken-

  Sometimes changing transmission fluid can uncover problems that existed before the change.  What happens is that over time the old fluid builds up a barrier on seals, gears, etc.  Think of it like a veneer.  This veneer can block things like leaks that cause slippage.  When you add new fluid it can clean away these barriers since it contains detergents, thus allowing the leaks to appear and problems to start.  This is especially true if you go long periods between fluid changes.  This may sound silly, but when you checked your transmission fluid, was the engine on.  Some people know, some don't...the engine HAS to be on when checking fluid or else it looks like there's way too much in there.  If you already knew this, ignore everything I just said.  My advice would be to have a transmission shop check it out.  I'm certainly no expert when it comes to transmission internals so it'd be hard for me to say one way or another what is the exact cause.  Hope this helps.

Steve