fwiw, my  long/big hill climbing mode with waterboxer engine and auto trans
is 2nd gear at 4,000 to 4,500 rpm.

I think that's less stress on things. There's a tiny bit more power in that
range than at 3,200 rpm.
Waterboxers have a horribly flat torque curve ...
really obnoxious that way.
'normal' engines have a much more rising torque curve.

I would say nothing will really be revealed or known until you take it
apart.

'sometimes'  it's more than 'just the seal'.

'usually' ......The sealing surface of things that rotate in a seal do not
usually wear very much, generally speaking.

sometimes the leaking seal is the tip of the iceberg.
There can be shaft side play that's more than the seal can handle...
or bushings that the TQ rides on worn out ...etc.

be glad you don't have a Zetec in there.
they are running into 'unfixable' oil leak issues with auto trans and Ford
Zetec engine recently.

Be interesting to see what you find if you do end up taking it apart.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Edward Maglott" <emaglott3@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 6:47 PM
Subject: Leaking Torque Converter Seal

> It's leaking again.  A few years ago it started leaking when I tried
> to climb an extended grade in D rather than 2 after a day of hot
> driving.  Full throttle, ~3200rpms.  I don't do that
> anymore.  Anyway, I bought a "snake oil" product called "no leak"
> from the Gold Eagle Co. and dang if it didn't work!  So this has been
> a cold winter and I haven't driven the van much until a nice little
> trip this weekend, maybe 150 miles with some mtn climbing on the way
> home.  The leak is not as bad as the time several years ago, but it
> is dripping too much to stand.  I'm going to first try this miracle
> product on it again.  If that doesn't work, the next step is to
> replace that Torque Converter seal.  I've pulled the trans out
> before, but what would I need to do to replace that seal, other than
> actually replacing it?  Do I need to do anything to the TC mating surface?
>
> Thanks,
> Edward