2003 Crown Victoria PI transmission leak

[1996Chreokee]

Hi,

I have a 2003 Crown Victoria Police Inteceptor with 99k miles on it. It has always had excellent care. Transmission serviced yearly and spark plugs changed yearly. Service has not been completed this year yet though.

We were taking the car on a 200 mile road trip. When I filled it with gas, I noticed the fuel cap didn't feel right when it went on. After about 100 miles the car started to run funny (buck) going up hills. It was at only around like 40-50 mph going up hill. No check engine light at this point or fuel cap light on. Then it started to run rougher doing it more through all speeds and on flat surfaces and down hills. Then came the smoke. I looked under the car and I saw red fluid dripping and the car smelled real bad. (burning your eyes)The converter seemed hot on the passenger side. I went to an Advanced Auto and they scanned the computer. Several codes ENGINE MISS FIRE cyl 2 & 4. Miss fire through revs. I replaced the fuel cap and it took away 2 of the codes. The car still ran rough but maybe a little better. The check engine light was flashing and then it finally stayed on.

Today on the way home it ran rough but then cleard up ALOT. We did fill the car at another gas station (about 1/2 to 3/4 tank full). When we got home it was still smoking and it still looked somewhat wet around the transmission lines and torque converter cover. The converter on the pass side seemed like it was wet with something too. I took the car for a ride pushing it a little and the bucking went away but there is still a slight hesistation. Would this be related to the transmission leak? what would be leaking up there? Or did I have alot going on?

I will have the car scanned in the morning and report back.. PLEASE HELP

[Blue)(Fusion]

It sounds like you have a few problems going on.

Are you sure the fluid was red? If so and is dripping from around the bell housing, it is probably a seal leaking. How's the fluid level? Remember to check with the ATF hot (drive 20-30 miles), cycle it through all gears on the column, and then check it on a level surface in park with the engine running.

About the missing, it sounds like a fuel delivery problem or a COP problem. Just a little moisture can causes the COPs to misfire. Pull the COPs, check the plug tightness, and check for moisture. Reapply dielectric grease to the COP boots and put them back in. And check the EGR tube for blockage and that it works correctly. These are known to cause misfires at cruise speeds. Mine's been giving me trouble lately and it's really really annoying...

[1996Chreokee]

BF,

Unfortunately I am sure it was red. I sacrificed the sunday paper under the car to make sure. It has never smoked before and I am assuming this caused it. i wasn't sure if the bucking kicked out some fluid from a overflow somewhere. When you say seal, do you mean front pump seal as in pull the tranny and change it? (I hope not)

What is COP? I will have it scanned in the morning. I love the car but I do not wanna throw tons of money at it. Gas mileage seems to stay good.

[jd-autotech]

i have seen this one before there is a torque converter problem with these thing if u go to your local ford dealer and talk to the service dept. there is an additve that they have had a great deal of sucess with.

[Blue)(Fusion]

Yes, as in pump seal. And yes, these converters can cause issues that feel like misfires and hesitations, but it would not throw codes as your car did.

Either way, since it's leaking, a fluid additive is not going to help anything.

COP = Coil-On-Plug. They are the things sitting on top of the spark plugs.

[jd-autotech]

a over heating trans mission will push fluid out of the dip stick tube and that could be "the leak"

[1996Chreokee]

JD, THank you. It did seem to be hot. I will get it up in the air and look at it closer tomorrow. The Ford dealer will know about this additive? for the converter? It is not a steady drip.. The tranny is still full.

BF, Now the COP is that the ame at a coil pack? If I pick one up and change it out on the cylinders with the mis-fire will that help me eliminate the misfire? Are they easy to change?

I have a friend that works in the police garage. I think I will just take it to him and have him fix it. I just don't wanna throw tons of money into it. I heard these cars are bullet proof thats why I bought it. Pretty disappointed with it now though

[jd-autotech]

the ford dealer should know about it,

[Blue)(Fusion]

Skip the additive. Like I said, it won't fix a leak and it won't fix a mechanical issue. If changing the fluid does not fix a torque converter shudder issue, you need to change parts.

And like I said before, you do not have a torque converter shudder issue. You have actual misfires and a transmission fluid leak, two separate problems.

Coil packs are generally referred to those on older cars where one coil provides the ignition for all of the cylinders through a distributor. But yes, I am referring to the same thing, in this case. Pull them out, make sure they are all clean and dry. Apply dielectric grease on the COP boot ends, and re-install. Make sure the fuel injector and COP connectors are tight.

These cars are certainly not bulletproof, but they can last a long time. Ex police cars generally had a rough life before sold to civilians, so extra care and maintenance is usually required.

Before you continue, figure out where the ATF leak is coming from. Find the highest point you find the fluid. That's where it's leaking from. You can get a used transmission from the junkyard for cheap, usually in working condition. I'd try to pull one off of a civilian model though as they were not beat on like the fleet vehicles. You will have to use a 11.25" torque converter from a CVPI to fit your flexplate.

[1996Chreokee]

THe tranny leak was a very small rust spot on an otherwise new looking transmission line. There is a piece of rubber that holds the two lines together as well as all the road debis which caused the rust. Problem solved 3 bucks.

The running poorly was do to bad gas. Fresh gas and some seaform seemed to clear the issue and turned off the check engine light. No more running rough. So bad gas WILL throw a check engine light for mis fire. Thank you Blue F for the help and advice