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#1588325 06/11/06 09:25 PM
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I just bought a third contour (for my daughter) and it has discolored coolant (dark brown in the overflow bottle) and the trans fluid appears thin. I'm assuming it a leak in the radiator/ Trans cooler but I don't see any real oil bubbles etc. Any test to confirm would be a help. I am also going to replace the water pump (2.5L motor) but I forget what is the preferred color for the improved impeller design.

Thanks,

Mike

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"it has discolored coolant (dark brown in the overflow bottle)"
Change the coolant.
http://www.contour.org/mods/mods.php?s=howto&displayid=44

" and the trans fluid appears thin."
Change the ATFluid. It is hard to tell if it is thin as the ATFluid looks thinner than your regular engine oil.
http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=tranny&Number=992476&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=31&fpart=1

" I am also going to replace the water pump (2.5L motor) but I forget what is the preferred color for the improved impeller design."
Metal or white plastic impeller.
http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=v6maint&Number=1132376&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=7&fpart=1


"Always do the cheap and easy ones first." 1996 V6 ATX 96K miles
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Thanks for the instructions on flushing. I was just looking for info on testing the radiator/ trans cooler before I changed it out. Don't feel like wasting new coolant and trans fluid just to have them contaminate each other again.

When I drained the coolant I found some oil globs so I'm pretty confident that I have a leaking Trans cooler. The oil level in the trans is also high so I'm assuming I have a fair amount of coolant in there already. Are their any special precautions I need to take on the trans after I replace the radiator. I'm planning on a couple of fluid changes at about 100 mi intervals to get the coolant residue out but am open to any other suggestions or recommendations.

#1588328 06/12/06 12:41 PM
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After replacing the radiator and flushing the cooling system:

Supplies:

5 Gallon bucket
rubber hose
4-5 gallons of Mercon
long neck funnel.


Raise LF of vehicle and remove LF tire.

Disconnect cooler return line from transmission. Locate at the 2 o'clock position as facing the end of the transmission directly above the TSS sensor.

Connect rubber hose to metal hard line, put other end into bucket.

Remove dipstick, install funnel.

Start engine. Fluid will pump out.

Pour fresh fluid in while watching the fluid coming out. When the fluid coming out looks fresh, stop adding but leave the engine on until the fluid flow starts to sputter. Turn off engine.

Reconnect cooler line to transmission. Reinstall wheel and lower vehicle.

Add 2-3 quarts of fluid, then check level of fluid with dipstick. Add fluid as needed to get to proper level.

Drive vehicle until transmission fluid is at operating temp. Recheck level, add more if needed.

Dispose of old fluid properly.

Monitor fluid level and quality carefully.

This will replace almost all of the fluid (about 90%) in the system.

In your case, I'd repeat this after about 1000 miles.


I use this same procedure on all my Fords. It closely mimics the T-Tech service, except it's fully manual instead of an automatic process.

Steve




98 Contour SE Sport 2.5 Duratec ATX The wifey's car 89 Taurus SHO - 246K miles 94 SHO ATX - 190K 1997 F-150 5.4L ATX - The Workhorse 150K. ANY THREAD WITH "OMG" or "WTF" ETC IN THE TITLE WILL BE IGNORED!

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