Transmission drain tube?

[bentmettle]

my 91 e350 7.3idi/ 4eod has what appears to be some kind of drain tube sticking out from the torque converter cover. It's about 1/2" diameter, 4 inches long, and points to the rear of the vehicle.

What does it do?

It looks like it's dripping a little bit of ATF while the van is just sitting around lately.

I am trying to track down a terrible engine/powertrain noise at idle )(that goes away with a bit of revving) and am trying to figure out what all these mystery bits are in the process....

thanks.

[Mr_Roboto]

That drain just gives a place for leaking fluids to come out. My guess is your front pump seal is starting to leak.

Dump in a can or two of Trans-X which may slow the leak down and buy you some time.

For your mystery noise, take off the flywheel cover and make sure your torque converter bolts are tight.

[bentmettle]

I finally was able to get under the van recently- the flexplate/TC nuts were indeed darn loose in a few cases, and one was backed off 3/8".

I snugged those up and my noise is gone. Now on to the leaks and hard starting....

[Mr_Roboto]

Go to the dealer and buy new nuts!

They are one time use nuts, they are meant to be replaced at each removal.

[bentmettle]

I would have never thought of that, thanks.

I suppose they did have some serrations?

I was just pleased it was something so simple, many of the other workshops adventures on the van have been far more difficult to access.

[Mr_Roboto]

The nuts are actually "crushed" on 2 sides to hold tighter.

Yours probably came loose because they had been re-used.