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Transmission

Tiny
CRAZY1127GIRL
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 FORD WINDSTAR
  • 160,000 MILES
I have a 2001 Ford Windstar. To make a long story short it was driven over a big log. I had two mechanics look at it on their down time and said that I needed to have the the transmission gasket replaced. I did that and after finally getting the right amount of fluid in it, it drove fine for a day.(Short trips) it drove smother and nicer then it ever had. Then I had another mechanic come look at it and told me to add some Sea-foam to it. Then next day I took an hour trip and the transmission fluid started leaking again. Can anyone help?
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Saturday, July 2nd, 2011 AT 6:49 PM

16 Replies

Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Was SeaFoam added when trans fluid was at full mark? How much Foam was added?
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Saturday, July 2nd, 2011 AT 7:27 PM
Tiny
CRAZY1127GIRL
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  • 7 POSTS
Yes it was. The root of the problem has been discovered. I need to change the transmission filter. Cost $10 Labor $700 I was told. Not happy.
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Saturday, July 2nd, 2011 AT 7:53 PM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
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NO way $700 if you had pan off the filter was there Hour job tops. Trans overfilled will cause leak.
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Saturday, July 2nd, 2011 AT 8:00 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
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Inquire with the manager at a popular auto parts store. Or even their delivery guy (sorta like your recon man!)

They know who is a rip-off and who will do you right!

The Medic
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Saturday, July 2nd, 2011 AT 8:04 PM
Tiny
CRAZY1127GIRL
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
They said to get at the filter on the transmission, since I have a front wheel drive van that they will have to take the entire motor out. That's where the cost of labor is coming in. :-(
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Saturday, July 2nd, 2011 AT 10:56 PM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
See diagram
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Sunday, July 3rd, 2011 AT 7:09 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
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Crazy1127girl,

Lookin' at Doc's Diagram, he just found you

For around $50, for tranny filter and tranny juice, and 2 hours tops, out in your driveway

If you are lost--inquire around, find the Kid who excelled in High School Auto Mechanics Class to assist?

We're rootin for you!

Doc, I got $5, says you Can't talk her thru the whole Process. And "Getter Done", on her end, whatever resources she has available, without going to a shop, without spending more than $80 parts and neighborhood labor. Are you "In" or "Out"?

The Medic
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Sunday, July 3rd, 2011 AT 7:48 PM
Tiny
CRAZY1127GIRL
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
LOL, I'm up for this bet! Was able to do 2-6 already! ;-) So this me get this right, the motor doesn't have to be taken out of the van. Why do people have to lie to me? Ugh
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Monday, July 4th, 2011 AT 8:05 PM
Tiny
CRAZY1127GIRL
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I'm uploading a picture for you boys. Figured if money was riding on me, everyone should be thoroughly educated. Especially me, I don't want to let anyone down lol. Top left of pic, tranny pan right is oil pan. Duh I know. :-) It doesn't leak through that crack right away when you fire it up. My van has to get good and warmed up. And then she pukes like a S.O.B. (Excuse my french, we're not on good speaking terms right now)I'll send you guys $5 if this is something I can do myself!
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Wednesday, July 6th, 2011 AT 3:34 PM
Tiny
CRAZY1127GIRL
  • MEMBER
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I looked at your video Medic, Ty. But i've already changed the filter, juice and gasket. Thinking that, that was what originally wrong. The guys told me that it's a filter on the tranny itself that probably got jammed when my ex drove over the log. No clue, I have no problem getting dirty. Bring it ;-)
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Wednesday, July 6th, 2011 AT 3:42 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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Several more qualifying questions here!

Is the fluid ONLY scootin' out from under the lip on the TRANSMISSION PAN. No where else?

Are you actually seeing it? Or are you just seeing juice everywhere after you shut him off and look?

If it is, just out of the Tranny Pan lip. Do you have enough room to remove the tranny pan. Once the bolts are out it must have at least the "thickness" of the pan, room to get past the tranny internals

I do not know much about your car and what is actually under there, that could be in the way.

This is the kicker!

The pan. Once it's removed, it's gonna need to be straightend, so that the gasket surface is Perfectly Flat, as it was originally. Or you are gonna need to obtain another!

If sorta bent/ disfigured, more than a little ball peen hammer action. Salvage yards and transmission shops (call around) would be a good source for one

These answers are gonna kinda determine who get the $$$!

The Medic
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Wednesday, July 6th, 2011 AT 4:09 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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Musta been typing at the same time. My scratch thingee seems to be real sensitive, tryin' to move the arrow around, I'm highlighting stuff and it's getting stuck all over my post, constantly reworking the whole thing, as it's making no sense with all of the interjected stuff!

I know this is a pain, but did you lay the pan on a flat surface---Like a storm door glass, and check it for straightness?

The Medic
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Wednesday, July 6th, 2011 AT 4:36 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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I mean the gasket surface part of the pan

The Medic
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Wednesday, July 6th, 2011 AT 4:38 PM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
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That leak is from front seal so trans must come out. From pics engine oil pan and the plate where it is leaking is cover to torque convertor. Suspect SeaFoam cleaned out goop from seal and the leak started. Bummer
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Wednesday, July 6th, 2011 AT 4:59 PM
Tiny
CRAZY1127GIRL
  • MEMBER
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Ok. Here we go, lol First question. Is the fluid ONLY scootin' out from under the lip on the TRANSMISSION PAN. No where else? Yep, we wiped her down good and then ran her till she was good and warm, changing all of the gears. Low and behold. Drip drip drip. Funny that's where I told the other two mechanics where it was coming from, but I was told to change the gasket.
Question 2 Are you actually seeing it? Or are you just seeing juice everywhere after you shut him off and look? I'm seeing it drip out of this area were you see the finger yes. And if the car is left on and running in park it's a nice steady drip:-(

***The pan. Once it's removed, it's gonna need to be straightend, so that the gasket surface is Perfectly Flat, as it was originally. Or you are gonna need to obtain another!
What do you mean by this? There is no damage to the tranny and it was wiped out super clean before the gasket was put on. I do have a back up gasket though :-)

***I know this is a pain, but did you lay the pan on a flat surface---Like a storm door glass, and check it for straightness?
Good question. IDK the ex cleaned it out

****That leak is from front seal so trans must come out. From pics engine oil pan and the plate where it is leaking is cover to torque convertor. Suspect SeaFoam cleaned out goop from seal and the leak started. Bummer
Does that mean the whole motor coming out?
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Wednesday, July 6th, 2011 AT 6:13 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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  • 11,004 POSTS
I was under the impression that Mr. Log had maybe messed up your pan

No the the whole motor may not have to come out. Maybe just the whole transmission!

I do not know the procedure for your vehicle,

I do suggest several more estimates

One you may not know, which may prove to be inexpensive, is to inquire with a smaller, ma and pop type salvage yard, many smaller shops use them frequently. They might be able to suggest a Well Equipped, Does things right, will treat you right Transmission man.

Should you still be into that log jumping stuff, you need to buy something like my '46. This pic is w/ my winter hardtop on (I also have a '77)

Sorry I was of no more help (:-(

All yours Doc, you know more about this one than I do. If I owe $$$, let me know!

The Medic
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Wednesday, July 6th, 2011 AT 9:54 PM

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