Yesterday, I brought my 2002 Ford Windstar in for a oil change. The guy fixing it informed me that there was a leak in the transmission and one in the motor. Told me he would have to clean the engine with gunk and then find the leak. Said for the tranny could be a axel seal (what is that?) or filter seal (don't know what that is either). For the motor they don't know yet...Then the guy told me the coolant is brown. I am really worried because I am afraid its the head gasket...Can someone please tell me what the problems could be. Please be serious, yesterday some asked me if I was a dumb blonde..rather insulting..Yes I am female but I am not dumb. I do know alot about cars, but not about this...What could it be? The van is running great, smooth and is not overheating at all. I live in quebec so its really cold now but wouldn't the engine overheat if it was the head gasket? Could the coolant just need changing? Please advise..and thank you very much in advance :)
2007-02-20 04:44:41 · 10 answers · asked by Laea 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Thanks for the answers but does anyone think its the head gasket?? Also, there are tiny drops of oil under the car, I don't see them but the guy changing the oil showed me little droplets....
2007-02-20 05:11:22 · update #1
First, I am sorry some people on here are just here to gain attention rather than give actual useful advice and help. There is a possibility of him being full of you-know-what, but if your van has a lot of miles on it this can be very common.
Lets start with the engine leak. First, if it is a slow leak he might not be able to find it. If it is leaking, it could be a pan gasket, or any number of oil seals. Just because they find it does not mean you need to get it fixed if it is not a big leak. Next, the transmission. The axle seal is where on a front-wheel drive car (or van) the axle shafts (or half-shafts) pass out of the transmission case housing. If he said filter seal he may have meant the pan gasket, because this is replaced when the filter is changed. Last, but not least, the coolant. If the coolant hasn't been changed in a while (or ever) it could just be dirty or rusty. There is the possibility of a head gasket, but head gaskets usually go due to abuse, either by overheating or over-stressing the engine. There are several different ways a head gasket could fail, between one of three areas that are kept separate by a head gasket: the oil, the coolant, and the combustion chamber.
In my humble opinion, I would get a separate second opinion by a shop that is independent of the one you went to, and just tell them you want a second opinion. Don't tell them who the other shop was, just tell them the issues that were pointed out, and ask their opinion on what needs to be done. Unfortunately, even in this day and age there are those that will try to take advantage of a woman when her vehicle is concerned, but there still are many of us who would not, myself included. I wish you luck.
2007-02-20 05:24:17 · answer #1 · answered by Doug K 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm a blonde too! But worked in auto parts for 10 years. I'd flush your cooling system. Put in new antifreeze. That won't hurt. Your tranny may have a leak, which is also no big deal - as long as you watch your fluid levels. Same with your engine. If you take your oil dipstick and turn it upside down and watch to see if there is a separation (water/antifreeze should not be on the dipstick. An engine will get some amount of condensation and changing your oil, even your tranny fluid and gasket is not a bad idea. Fairly inexpensive also. I don't think anything is seriously wrong, just change your fluids, wash the engine so you can spot any leaks easier. Good luck
2007-02-20 04:54:22 · answer #2 · answered by KATHY A 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
like i said yesterday the coolant will change colour over time , just have it flushed and changed , get it set for -40 , as for the leaks put some cardboard under the van and keep an eye on your fluid levels , the tranny fluid is checked with the van running and in park , unless you have been on the highway for an hour it will read at the add level , that is normal for cold tranny fluid , i think your " mechanic " is trying to prey on your fears , relax , keep checking the fluids , and get a Haynes manual for your van , knowledge is power. unless the oil is foamy and the van pushes white smoke (lots ) and your coolant level keeps dropping i would not worry about the head gasket either
2007-02-20 07:20:13 · answer #3 · answered by sterling m 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Most here have given good answers. Definitely have the cooling system flushed out and new antifreeze installed. With this vehicle being a front wheel drive then yes the drive axles enter into the trans axle and the seals there could be possibly leaking. If your not seeing a lot of fluid stains on the ground under your vehicle after being parked then I wouldn't really be worried about it.
2007-02-20 05:10:30 · answer #4 · answered by bwc0356 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If this was one of them quickie lube type places I would take everything with a grain of salt, it seems lately these organizations are more interested in up-selling you than meeting the 15 minute guarantee posted outside.
If you are not seeing obvious puddles under your van when you park it, or having to add fluids all the time I would chalk it up to that up-sell.
As for the could be, could be, analysis of the supposed leaks, I don't know what that says about their services other than changing oil.
As for the brown coolant I would have that flushed.
Next time take it somewhere else and see what type of baloney they throw at you, and weigh the differences.
I'm not sure if that's clear, but I'm trying to be straight forward.
2007-02-20 05:07:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
First of all. Are there oil stains where you park your van overnight? If there aren't any then the guy is just trying to up sell you. Happens all the time and is extremely unethical. If there are oil drops, you have to determine how much. A few drops are not bad. My father in-law once told me oil is cheap. His meaning is that you can buy quiet a bit of oil for the cost of a rebuild. Just keep checking your oil in the engine and trans to not let it get too low. Best advice I can give is get a second opinion.
2007-02-20 05:00:39 · answer #6 · answered by nekas4 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
,OK answer to your ?...it where the Axel fit into the Tran, their Rae seal that keep the fluid in, whit ch not a relay a big job, for some to do,now on the water being brown, in some cars, have cast iron block, an when water an iron meet , it will turn to rust,, , so the problem is ,you got more water than anitfrezze,,,, the thing to do is ,to drain the water out of the motor,an then buy new antifreeze,,,, honest by you being a women ,he trying to scar you in to paying more then he want to honest to tell you, ,you need to have some one else to look at it, i hate to see women be took for money by men doing this
2007-02-20 05:05:28 · answer #7 · answered by ghostwalker077 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The coolant system needs flushing,the brown is probably rust or two different anti-freezes mixed.Your oil leaks are probably minor,keep an eye on the levels.
2007-02-20 05:00:19 · answer #8 · answered by gdwrnch40 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
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2016-10-16 02:38:12 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
change the antifreeze...axles don't attach to the transmission...if the trans leak is the pan gasket get that fixed and have your trans filter changed ....or if it's small there are sealants you can buy to stop the leaks,,..oil leak can be from anywhere...if it's the rear main seal that will cost you lots!
2007-02-20 04:57:00 · answer #10 · answered by Robert P 6 · 0⤊ 4⤋