90 535, tranny gave no sign of a problem but smoke started pouring out at a stoplight, ATF on a hot exhaust, freaked my wife and kids out, she asked if it was going to blow up, luckily it did not ignite. Any way, light turned and I got off the road and parked it. Towed it home(flatbed) and got under this weekend. There is a 2"x5" window in the bottom of the bell housing where the fluid was coming from. Shouldn't there be a cover plate here? I can see the torque converter spinning and unprotected! Is the fluid in the T.C. ATF?
Could it have gotten debris in there that punctured the T.C.? They are a sealed, self-contained unit correct? Tranny seems fine, still works in 1st and "R". When car was up on jacks and running, very little additional fluid was coming out (it was jacked from driver side so car was no where near level) and ATF fluid level was not empty. Is it somewhat pressurized in that if a seal had blown it would be forceing ATF out while running? Just trying to figure out what be wrong before proceeding with repairs.
Thanks