I HAVE a 2000 taurus with trans fluid leaking out of cover between oil pan and bell housing. what is it

oil or hydraulic fluid?
automatic or manual?
if manual, hydraulic clutch?

If the fluid isn't leaking from the pan, then suspect a worn torque converter seal. If it looks like the fluid is leaking from the bell housing area where the trans meets the engine, then you will have to remove the trans to repair it.

Transmission oil is not drained from the trany, you have to have a replacement system it filters the trany fluid while the engine is running.

I think what you mean by rear plate is the plate next to the oil pan that covers part of bell housing and fly wheel. You take it off right after you take off the starter. To get the oil pan off on this Taurus is a huge job I just had to do it about three weeks ago on my wifes car the oil pan gasket needed changed. It took me a couples of days. The hardest part of the whole job was taking off the exhaust and y pipe with the catalytic converters attached to them and the heat shields that cover them. Once you finally get the bolts off the flanges attached to the manifold it still is a pain in the *** to wiggle it out from under the car. The O2 sensors on the down stream side need removed. If you need any data sheets or diagrams for your car just let me know

All you have to do is get under the car with a 1/2" drive ratchet, 3" extension, an extension swivel, and the socket for the bolts on the oil pan. Go through all the bolts and tighten them all up. You will be surprised at how loose some of them are.

I have the same car and the same problem. I can see the oil shooting out at the (upside down) rear, right side of the oil pan. This side of the oil pan is covered by a piece of plastic foam. There are no bolts on this side of the pan. Toyota recommends grey Formagaskit to seal the pan. The natural flow for this leak is all over the bell housing. The piece of plastic foam is attached to bell housing inspection cover. Good Luck!!!

there are frost plugs on the engine block behind the bell housing, bu first make sure that the plugs on the heads are not leaking, removal of the trans, is no fun but may be the only solution

Only so many places these trans 41 TE can leak on the vans. Lines on top, speed sensors(input, output)one is below the lines the other is to right of the lines. Dipstick tube, trans solenoid gasket, Oil pan & extension gasket. Wipe off & clean area very well. Lines leaking, check clamps first before replacing. Speed sensor leaking replace o ring, Dipstick tube replace o ring, Trans solenoid replace gasket, Extension plate replace gasket If the pan is leaking you change the trans filter & put a gasket on the pan. The book says RTV on the pan, but FelPro make a gasket for the pan $6.99. Use a Chrysler trans filter!!!! O rings for sensors, tube around $3 each, trans solenoid gasket $3, extension gasket $10, Filter $11 + gasket $7 & 4qts trans fluid if doing the filter or extension gasket.

Find the leak, fix the leak.

are you sure the tranny is not leaking gear oil?