We had a brand new motor put in our 98 Ford Windstar. We have driven it for a week with no problem and today it starting leaking transmission fluid. It only leaks when the motor is running, not when it is cool and just sitting. I am wondering if it could possibly be a leak where the mechanic put it all back together. I am supposed to take a 5 hour trip with my 2 young children and pregnant daughter, is this going to be bad news for me?
2006-08-16 13:53:10 · 11 answers · asked by Nelita C 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
it may be leaking at the torque converter seal in the front of it,,most good mechanics replace the front seal in the transmission when they got it out,,but unfortunately some don't,,and if the weight of the converter was resting on the seal while the motor was out,,it might have stretched it out some,,you need to look at it ,,and find out exactly where it is coming from,,then call him,,and ask him if he put a front trans-seal in it,,if he didn't,,he may have to go back and do it,,but first look at it,,if its leaking between where the motor,,and transmission bolt together,then he didn't put one in it,,or he got it in side ways or something,,because it shouldn't be leaking from anywhere,,if it was not leaking before i own a repair shop,,and i always replace the front seal,it saves you from having to re-do the job later,,i hope this helps,,good luck with it.
2006-08-16 14:09:42 · answer #1 · answered by dodge man 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Did your Uncle say that he had examined the leakage of the transmission fluid and that it was so severe that the oil level was too low for the car to be driven? Did HE personally check the level of the fluid. If he says that the auto can't be driven safely, did he say how HE is going to take it to a repair shop? Somehow, I have a 'bad feeling' about this. I wish there was some way that I could have more details about the leakage -- where it is coming from and how severe it really is. Right now, I'm at a loss to advise you. Can you contact your Mom and ask her for more details about how the leakage might have been caused and how it was detected? Did your Mom run over a high curb or something and 'hit bottom' under the hump in the front seat floor? Did she notice the leakage causing a real pool of oil under the car after she parked in the lot at work? New replacement transmission oil CAN be purchased and added to the transmission easily and make it safe for driving, if the leakage is only a drip now and then.
2016-03-27 05:04:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's most likely pinched the front seal when he put the engine back in. The most common problem Windstars have is the tranny's going bad. It's hard to find a good one actually. Their engines aren't the best Ford ever built either. To fix it the tranny has to come out enough to get between the engine and trans to replace it. If you try to make the trip, stop and check the fluid regularly and if you feel it shifting the least bit strangely stop right then and check it. Lastly, keep plenty of fluid with you in case you need it. Scarily, if it is damaged badly enough it can blow completely out causing you to lose all fluid and then the van wouldn't pull at all. If it is just a pinch, you should make it as long as you are willing to accept the headache of checking it every little bit. Once you get a grip on how much it is blowing out you can pretty much know when it's time to check it. Chances are if you talk to the mechanic he'll give you a discount on fixing it. It's easy to do when putting an engine back in so he will most likely know when you tell him what it's doing that he caused it. If he is a good businessman he will at least give you a discount.
2006-08-16 17:38:46 · answer #3 · answered by Craig H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ford Windstar Transmission
2016-11-11 07:28:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take it back to the mechanic ASAP. if you put too many miles on it, they won't be responsible for the damage, even if it's their fault. You have to mitigate your damages by acting responsibly if you want to retain your right to sue.
A 5 hour trip, knowing that it's leaking, may cause you to eat the repair bill yourself.
Also, you have to give him the opportunity to correct the problem. You can't just take it somewhere else and send him the bill. Unless, of course, he did something so wrong or you had a bad argument with him that you couldn't trust him any longer.
2006-08-16 14:00:59 · answer #5 · answered by normobrian 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try a sealer and conditioner, drive it around for a couple of days, check the level of fluid periodically. If it is still leaking, take it back to the mechanic
2006-08-17 11:30:08 · answer #6 · answered by Joe 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It could be just about anything, like you said, maybe the mech. didn't put the hose on right or something. Or it can be from just normal wear. Just double check your transmission fluid level before your trip,and check wherever you stop for gas and such. Just keep the thought in your head when your driving a long distance.
2006-08-16 14:04:03 · answer #7 · answered by Silverstang 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
May be a loose fitting they didn't tighten, easy to fix. The pan bolts may be loose, easy to fix. Or mad be a seal leaking, if it's the front seal the trans needs to be pulled out again. No matter what it is, don't take a trip. If you loose enough fluid you'll need a new trans.
Good Luck
2006-08-16 14:04:19 · answer #8 · answered by camaro46368 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
a lot of times they forget ot tighten up the lines that go to the radiator. if its leaking in the front of the car. plus sounds like that because it takes time for pressure to build up to go thru the radiator. or sometimes the hold down clamps pinch the lines when you put them back on . Its not always the guys fault take it back there and ask they will look for you im sure
2006-08-16 14:47:20 · answer #9 · answered by mike L 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take it back to the mechanic who did the work and have him check it he has obviously either didn't hook something up correctly or screwed something up and should be responsible for damages
2006-08-16 14:00:15 · answer #10 · answered by ja man 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋