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Well I posed my first question earlier on "battery vent" a little too late. I connected the vent of my new battery to the vent for the transmission using the adapter provided with the battery before I found out this was the transmission vent instead of a battry vent tube. I drove a mere 20 miles with this connection and now Ford tells me my trans case has a pinhole in it and fluid is coming out this pinhole at a pretty good rate. I would have thought any pressure buildup would have blown my bad connection or blown out the dipstick before it would blow a hole in the case. They want $2800 for a remanufactured trans and $500 to replace oil pan gaskets and $195 to replace 02 sensors.
This must be one poorly constructed casing if they are being honest and I have no way of knowing.
Has anyone ever heard of a pinhole in a autotrans for a V6 2.5L DOHC especially caused by pressure built on a 20 mile, 25 minute drive in 40 degree weather?
Edit: Prior thread battery vent
Last edited by horseydug; 11/19/03 03:00 AM.
1998 Black SE Contour Sport
V6 2.5L DOHC
Automatic, Moonroof, CD Player
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Sounds like the usual "stealership" rip off BS !   IMHO, even if any built up pressure did not come out thru a dipstick tube, etc., you would blow out a seal before blowing out the tranny case aluminum casting!! Did any battery acid go into the tranny? I would think positive pressure from your tranny vent tube would prevent that, but if so flush the tranny. Are you having problems with the tranny or drivability of ther car? Give us more info; symptoms,problems,etc. Can understand your rage, but calm cool thinking with more info will be far more productive for you and will better allow the members to try and help you.
Former, now returned CEG'er!
95SE MTX, (AKA "The Road Rat"). Stock except for:TH fix, B.A.T. big brake kit, tranny cocktail and lots of re-insulated wiring! May yet be a 3.0!
"Speed doesn't kill, stupidity does!"
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Thanks for the reply.
I only drove it the 20 miles to work before deciding to disconnect the hoses just in case. Then I drove it another 20 miles home and at that time found the fluid on the garage floor. It drove fine all 40 miles. I checked the level and when I found it low I took it straight to the dealer. Two days later I realized I may have panicked but they were already looking for a leak by then. After four days of looking I received the call today about the pinhole leak that puddled fluid on top of the casing. It seems strange to me also and I found no acid in the tubing when I disconnected it but do not know if some gas may have travelled into trans but I had the same reasoning as you about which way the pressure would have gone. I OK'd the work to begin this afternoon because I would imagine even further charges if I took the car back and it continued to leak and then I had to return it to them. This info probably doesn't help but I just wondered if it seems at all reasonable that this short trip could cause the case to develop a hole. It seems unlikely that it is coincidental also, but I guess it is possible, but that would indicate a major problem in the actual casing manufacture to me.
1998 Black SE Contour Sport
V6 2.5L DOHC
Automatic, Moonroof, CD Player
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It's not all that hard to find the source of leaks yourself. In the future, at the very least, have them show you the leak while it's leaking so you can tell if they are being truthfull.
Pinholes do happen. More than likely it's adjacent to the pump or valvebody, so it's under hydraulic pressure, not gas pressure.
NO, your battery escapade did not cause this.
Just hate to see people lose mo' money.
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" -George Santayana
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They couldn't even see the leak point which is why it took four days. They had to remove what I believe he called the air compartment to see the puddle and the car cannot be running during this removal. I had no leak previous to this day as I check my garage floor regularly and just had the day before. I have asked that I be shown the pinhole after they remove the trans and they agreed but I have a feeling they may "forget" to call me before it is sent to the remanufacturer. I really wish I had simply refilled the trans and run it for awhile to see if it continued to lose level but this is one expensive lesson. I will simply never return to this or any Ford dealership nor purchase any Ford again unless they show me a pinhole that looks either rusted or blown out. It will be interesting if it is blown in as in a nail hole but I have a feeling it will not even be shown to me.
1998 Black SE Contour Sport
V6 2.5L DOHC
Automatic, Moonroof, CD Player
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Why can't they weld the pinhole?
1998 ContourLX V6 ATX
Cats Gutted+MIL Eliminators
Grandma gave me the finger
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Originally posted by Abbo:
1) They couldn't even see the leak point which is why it took four days. 2)They had to remove what I believe he called the air compartment to see the puddle and the car cannot be running during this removal.
1)They have flouresent(sp?) dye that can be put in the tranny fluid that shows up under a black light. All dealerships and any respectable shop will have this stuff and that is what it is used for.
2) Air Compartment? I would at least ask what the hell this is! Never heard of it.
The case of the CD4E and all transmissions for that matter, are designed to allow any leaking fluid to flow down the case in a way that would make finding the source of the leak easy. In this case, as in a hole, it would be very plain to see where the fluid was coming from.
Also, there is no relation in the CD4E's case or fluid to the inside of the car. So don't let them take you there.
Just some information for ya. I would ask a lot of questions before I foot a bill for something like this.
Phillip Jackson
`98 Mystique LS
262K+ and counting...
ATX rebuilt @ 151K
"This storm has broken me, my only friend!" RIP Dime
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Originally posted by Abbo:
... They want $2800 for a remanufactured trans and $500 to replace oil pan gaskets and $195 to replace 02 sensors. ...
...
... I OK'd the work to begin this afternoon because I would imagine even further charges if I took the car back and it continued to leak and then I had to return it to them ...
...
...They had to remove what I believe he called the air compartment to see the puddle and the car cannot be running during this removal ...
As a general rule one should always get a 2nd opinion for that major an expense. As you said, you perhaps panicked and may have felt guilty. Seeking advice before giving the ok would have been the preferred course of action.
My suggestion: go to dealer first thing tomorrow and provided they haven't started the removal, cancel the work and get your car towed home or elsewhere.
The air compartment (or air box as it is usually called) is simply the air filter cover and accordion tube that feeds air to the throttle body, and yes, with precautions engine can be operated with it off.
98 Mystique LS v6 atx 163,000km
97 Contour LX v6 atx 163,000km
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Originally posted by jmatzick:
Why can't they weld the pinhole?
Even if welding not practical a short self-tapping screw can do little to increase the cost of the proposed remedy, i.e., total replacement. An experienced transmission specialist should be able to advise.
98 Mystique LS v6 atx 163,000km
97 Contour LX v6 atx 163,000km
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Quote:
Even if welding not practical a short self-tapping screw can do little to increase the cost of the proposed remedy
A screw. a little JB Weld epoxy, there are a myriad of possible solutions other than total replacement if it is an external leak. And what the heck do your O2 sensors have to do with your transmission? I would be real suspect of this dealership's service dept. If they tell you you are too late and they have allready started the work, have them show you!
99 times out of 100, they will not start any work untill most or all replacement parts are in hand. I doubt very much that they have a tranny in stock! Take it to a good local independant and/or look over real carefully yourself!
Former, now returned CEG'er!
95SE MTX, (AKA "The Road Rat"). Stock except for:TH fix, B.A.T. big brake kit, tranny cocktail and lots of re-insulated wiring! May yet be a 3.0!
"Speed doesn't kill, stupidity does!"
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