Leaking coolant and overheating

Tiny
STEPHBGRAM
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 FORD EDGE
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 235,000 MILES
I have my vehicle in a shop for five days now and I am so worried. They cannot find the source of the leaking coolant and it overheated five days ago and had no coolant (ran out fast and no signs of leaking) so we had it towed. They are saying they cannot find the leak and have never seen this in a Ford but will have to take/split the transmission play off engine to see if it is a freeze plug. Apparently they cannot access this freeze plug without separating the engine and transmission. That alone in labor will be $1,300.00 and if that is not the problem they said it will need a new engine because it could be a cracked block. New engine starting at $5,000.00. If anyone has any advice please let me know because I have to either tow it somewhere else or try to come up with the money which is impossible. If this is true I might as well get a used car for this amount of money. But my car has been well maintained and is in good shape. I do not feel like I can trust these people. Any advice would be so greatly appreciated. Christmas is weeks away and I am scraping together my $900.00 rent for December.
Wednesday, November 28th, 2018 AT 11:23 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Good afternoon,

Get your car out of there. They are guessing on an issue that is not too hard to diagnose.

They need to pressure test the system for the leak. It has to show somewhere. If they cannot find it then they are not a good shop.

If it does not show a leak, then it may either be burning it or leaking into the oil. All these tests require no more than one hour for testing.

There is no need to remove the transmission to check the freeze plugs. That can be determined without removing anything.

Roy

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test
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Wednesday, November 28th, 2018 AT 11:33 AM
Tiny
STEPHBGRAM
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Roy thank you so much for your quick response. I am in tears. I had a bad feeling. These guys have done my maintenance for vehicles for years but I have never needed anything more than that for my cars. After stalling through holiday weekend then the main mechanic coming in and saying the same thing I just felt it in my gut that this was not right. It is a lose lose situation. I am reaching out to Ford dealership to see if I can have it towed there. My only hesitation is that I have always paid for used cars and never used a dealership for repairs and I worry about cost, but they will know a Ford Edge (very common car) more than these guys. These guys keep reiterating that they have seen this in many cars but never a Ford. Ugh. It is the holidays I lost my mother to cancer end of September and I am a mess. Luckily I have her car right now, so I am not without transportation. I cannot thank you enough for helping me.
Bless you!
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Wednesday, November 28th, 2018 AT 12:09 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
I am so sorry for your loss.

A dealer will be the top of the tier in pricing. They will be the most.

What they will do is most likely send you to the showroom for either a new car or used car which may not be a bad idea. See what kind of deal they can offer you.

Roy
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Wednesday, November 28th, 2018 AT 12:15 PM
Tiny
STEPHBGRAM
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thank you. Do you think I should try to find a different mechanic? Instead of the dealer. I feel this car still has a lot of years left in it. I have kept it well maintained and worked hard to pay it off in a year before I stopped working to care for my mother.
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Wednesday, November 28th, 2018 AT 12:17 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Yes, a second opinion is always good.

See if you can find a good reputable shop. Get their recommendation and then let us know what they find.

Roy
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Wednesday, November 28th, 2018 AT 12:27 PM

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