Hello everyone, For a while I've been trying to diagnose why my 1959 2 speed Ford-O-Matic (aka Mile-O-Matic for Edsel) is overflowing out of the dipstick tube when I start my engine. As far as I know, it has never been rebuilt. Here's the scenario: The car is dead cold and I start her up. If I at all press the accelerator, the transmission overflows through the dipstick and all over the exhaust and firewall, making a big smoke show. Usually, if I go through all the gears immediately after starting the engine, this will prevent the transmission from overflowing. (But it doesn't always work, I used this method today and it still overflowed) Occasionally the transmission overflows right off the bat, without any help from the accelerator. But I attribute that to the fact that I recently got my automatic choke working, so the engine immediately starts at about 1000 RPM from the get-go, then in order to drop it down to 600 RPM, I have to press the accelerator, which leads to another possible overflow. After the engine is warm and I have gone through my first overflow, it will not do it again while warm. Only if I come back to it after it cools down. Test driving it a few times, my dipstick tells me my transmission levels are just about perfect. So, I know I'm not overfilled. What could it be? Time for a rebuild?
I had similar problem on a later model trans and it was a clogged vent opening on the top of the case. I was really lucky to have such an easy fix, I hope yours is that easy.
The vent on my transmission does not have a place to put a wrench. It appears to be pressed in. Is there a trick to getting these out, will I need a new one of I pull the pressed one out?
Those little vent pipes are pressed in. Run a wire in it and bolw it with a air hose. If that doesn't fix the problem the trans likely has a internal leak and is pumping air. Its probably time for a tear down and rebuild.
Ah, good thing I just bought an air compressor. It has come in handy numerous times and I've only had it about a month.
After probing with a wire, try blowing ACROSS the tube opening, not into it.....**** the debris out, rather than blowing into the trans........... Ray
If you don't fix it until after Christmas, I can check this and help you out. However, I have it for sale, and left it at the office over the holidays.
Forgot that I had a copy in my personal collection here at the house. Some suggestions... If you haven't changed the transmission fluid yet, it might be worthwhile doing so. Just to rule out any foreign matter that might be settling and blocking a p***ageway when the car is off, and then being forced to flow through (or not and causing the overflow) once the engine is started. Here's the procedure for changing the fluid: Specifically relating to your problem, here is what the Diagnosis Chart suggests that you check on (M, P, O): And finally, another thing you might want to check, is that there is no blockage in the oil cooler that is restricting flow and causing a back up/boil over. Good luck!
Thanks for that post! Very useful. I will try to do a diagnosis soon. I have changed the fluid, so it should be something other than blockage, possibly seals.
Hey '59Edsel - I'm having the exact same ****** fill tube problem with my 1959 Edsel Ranger. Did you ever figure out the source of the problem? Thanks!!
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