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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5 |
If looking for just some feedback.
I have a 2L auto 95 Contour with 66K miles. It recently passed State inspection.
It's not used much as have a new car. Used to go to supermarket lots and similar places where concerned about dinks and such. It's very useful for it's purpose but not worth pouring money into. A couple, few hundred maximum is OK.
There is a minor transmission leak. Haven't bothered to repair just added fluid as needed.
Was driving yesterday and the car (seemed to me the transmission) was noticeably hesitating. I thought the transmission was going.
But instead all of a sudden I heard what sounded like a small explosion. Got out and saw coolant flowing out of the radiator. Mechanic says need a new radiator. Drove it home by adding water every few miles. Made it without ever overheating but you should have seen the white smoke.
Estimated cost of new radiator about $400. Is this right?
Could the hesitating I was experiencing prior be related to the radiator or is it more likely that the transmission is shot too?
I don't want to start on a merry go round of costs.
I'm thinking of just junking the Contour. Any opinions?
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,168
I am Canuckian
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I am Canuckian
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,168 |
I wouldn't junk the car with that low of mileage. You could get a new rad from the wrecking yard for cheaper. If you are mechanically savy you could do the repair yourself in a driveway. Just takes time patience and a few beers. The first bigger repair I tackled was a radiator. The Hanyes manul would be a bonus for this too.
Green 96 mystique gs 4cyl mtx
16.9 in the 1/4 mile @102500 miles
95SE in Midnight Red MTX
MSDS headers and y-pipe
SVT exhaust
SVT UIM
Optimized se TB.
Full pre 98 SVT body kit
15.741 @ 87.73mph :)
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5 |
I should add that for various reasons I can not do any needed repairs on my own. Any fixes would need be by a "pro".
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 7,117
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 7,117 |
Originally posted by SSomms:
I should add that for various reasons I can not do any needed repairs on my own. Any fixes would need be by a "pro".
In that case, junk it right into my driveway. Leave the signed title in the glove box.
-OR-
Maybe there are CEGers in your area that could help.
Must be that jumbly-wumbly thing happening again.
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 265
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 265 |
sell it better than junking it
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 60
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 60 |
Ok you guys are either going to know what im talking about or think im nuts but the radiator going can be a resault of trans problems.I had a 96 taurus prio to my svt and i had this problem as well some kinda valve or something went in my trans and caused a problem very simalair.Ya i know what the hell dose your trans have to do with your radiator but apperently somthing i will find the thred on taurus.com and see if i cant paste it here but in the meantime call a dealership and see if they have ever herd of this 
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,725
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,725 |
When my radiator failed it cost $508 to fix, so yeah $400 is a steal.
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5 |
Originally posted by zaven:
Ok you guys are either going to know what im talking about or think im nuts but the radiator going can be a resault of trans problems.
Please find that information. The radiator went as I was parking.
I have a gut feeling it had something to do with the transmission and I'm afraid that I could fix it only for it to blow again.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 753
Veteran CEG\'er
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Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 753 |
Originally posted by SSomms:
Made it without ever overheating but you should have seen the white smoke.
I assume this white smoke was coming out of the tailpipe. If this is the case then it's not just a radiator, your head gasket is toast.
Dueling Duratecs
'95 SE V6 MTX 0 Mods
'04 Mazda6 S Wagon
'03 Kawasaki Z1000
But thus do I counsel you, my friends: distrust all in whom the impulse to punish is powerful!
Friedrich Nietzsche
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,459
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,459 |
The trans fluid does circulate through the radiator, so I guess it's possible that if you had a very high pressure in the trans, you might blow something apart in the radiator. I never heard of it happening, but I guess anything is possible.
95 Contour Zetec, ATX (wrecked, sitting in the barn)
95 Mystique Zetec, MTX
2000 Taurus SEL 3.0L Duratec
1994 Crown Victoria LX 4.6 V8
1993 Chevy Silverado 4.3 V6
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