>compartment does have a fine coat of oil. But wouldn't the fine coat of oil
>be gear oil and not automatic transmission fluid? The oil seal appears to
>seal the converter from the final drive. Bentley does indicate that the
>torgue converter itself is filled with AT fluid.

It is ATF going to the torque converter through the nested shafts I'm pretty
sure being sealed, does not look or smell like gear oil.  The gear oil is
pretty well separated and not under pressure.  Regardless replacing the $4
seal fixes it but is hardly worth the time and effort of pulling the tranny
unless you are masochistic or have other reasons to be in there.  It does
however lead to dust caking all over the torque converter especially in the
cooling fins thereon so may be a good idea.  Figure a good afternoon to get
the tranny in and out, use red locktight on the driveplate bolts, change the
ole ATF and filter at the same time (maybe a good idea, maybe not), clean
the converter well with engine degreaser and brushes but make sure you seal
the hole in it well with a tight rubber stopper before spraying stuff on it.
I did not bother to siphon and replace the bulk of the ATF in the converter
as it flows out VERY slowy.

John
janderson@iolinc.net