Can someone help diagnose this leak?

[wlepse]

Thanks, she is really sore and they want her to see a spine specialist just to be double check things since she gets nauseous if she stands up. Anyway, since she can't drive we figured this is the best time to get it in. So I was able to get some family to pick me up at the dealer. Now that we don't have a third vehicle we really need to get this sorted out.

[wlepse]

Finally getting a chance to update this thread. Between dealing with my wife’s injuries and insurance the last few weeks have been pretty busy. Plus the original dealership was of absolutely no help. I won’t mention their name but suffice it to say I will never be going back there, even though they are like 2 miles from my house. Basically I dropped the vehicle off with all the concerns detailed in the service ticket and it was also sent to service manager and Ford corp rep via email. I got a call later detailing what they found. According to them there could not duplicate the clunk. Rear diff was leaking so they removed excess fluid and wiped down bell housing. Then they informed me that the high pressure line on the power steering was leaking and said it would cost like $350 to fix. So first thing I asked is why fluid would come out of the diff. They said because it was overfilled. But the problem with that explanation is no one has touched the fluid level, it is the factory fill. So I told them I had a tough time believing it took 59k miles to realize it was overfilled. I realized this argument was going nowhere, so I dropped it figuring I would discuss it with the Ford rep. Next issue was the power steering line; first I asked why it wouldn’t be covered since this power steering line was likely the problem from the beginning. At that point the service advisor said he would talk to the service manager and get back to me. I got a call from the service manager and much to my surprise he wouldn’t even discuss the issue. All he said was “we don’t want your damn money or business.” I didn’t even know how to respond so I simply said “excuse me?” The last thing he said was “come pick up your truck” and he hung up. So obviously I did.

 

Then I contacted my Ford corp rep and explained what had just happened and why I felt like they didn’t properly diagnose my problems. At which point he said he would be happy to work with me at another dealer but he couldn’t make them do anything since they are an independent franchise. While I realize this is the case; doesn’t Ford see what this does to their reputation? Luckily I live in a heavily populated area with plenty of dealers, but for some areas this may be the only representation Ford has, and if they can’t do something about behavior like this I am not sure how that can work as a business model. What really pissed me off was a couple days later I had to do an oil change on my other car and out of habit I checked the Edge. Well the coolant level they say they reset was at the exact same level and the oil change they performed was a half qt low. This just added to my mistrust of this dealer, their ability to troubleshoot issues and their workmanship.

 

Anyway, a couple weeks later I decided to give Beyer Ford in Morristown NJ a shot since the online reviews were favorable and it was the most convenient 4+ star rated dealer. Immediately on the first call it was clear this place is different. I spoke with Wayne Jennings who was super nice…and at this point they had no idea Ford corp was involved. I dropped off the vehicle, Wayne confirmed everything they were going to look at and said they would call me later to advise. Sure enough he called back, to tell me there was a TSB that applies for the clunk and that they would take care of it under warranty. Next, there is a TSB for the rear diff but he can’t perform it since the bell housing is wiped clean and there has to be a sign of a leak. I told him the other dealer wiped it down but I would speak with the Ford rep to see if they could get it applied since I had photos of the leak and my powertrain will expire prior to it getting cold again. He then told me that (2) power steering lines were leaking, which made more sense since I saw fluid on both sides of the drive shaft on two different lines. He quoted a price and I told him I would talk to the rep. In the end the Ford rep was able to get the TSB applied for the rear diff and worked with us on the repair price of the power steering lines. Obviously I would have loved to have the whole thing covered especially since I am sure the other dealer never fixed this correctly, but the truth is I can’t prove these were always leaking. So in the end I think it was fair. But what amazed me was how this dealer was able to clearly identify that (2) separate TSB’s applied to my concerns where the other dealer found nothing. How can that be? I thought a VIN search would reveal this stuff.

 

In the end I walked away very pleased with Beyer Ford, Wayne Jennings and Ford corp. So if you are in the area and need a good place to take a look at your Ford give Beyer a shot. It might not be the most updated Ford dealer you will see but the service and communication were among the best I have had. In the end that is what really matters. Hopefully all of this is behind us now. Still have to fix the reverse cam but I will get to that eventually.

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

At least there was some sunshine in the end! Sorry you had to suffer the indignities at the original dealership. I think JOEHIO also uses Beyer Ford, have heard their name favorably mentioned before. Hope your wife is also mending well!

[wlepse]

Yeah thanks...she is doing better. Still not 100% but I think she will start PT soon and we hope that will make a big difference.

 

Not sure on JOEHIO...thought he was using a dealer in Maplecrest maybe??? But pretty sure he has a Lincoln and goes to a Lincoln dealer. Either way just wanted to give props to Beyer and Wayne. Hopefully I won't need a lot of work but at least now I have a place I can trust and makes me more comfortable about holding onto the Edge.

[peterc]

Glad it worked out some solution for you.

what did they do for your coolant loss? how much they charge for the power steering pressure line replacement? My 2012 Edge may have same problem. thank you

[wlepse]

I think it was like 300 per line...had high pressure line and return line done. Since other dealer never fixed it right Ford split the bill.

[peterc]

what dealer say about your coolant loose? any findings. thanks

[wlepse]

No explanation...said pressure test was good so they topped it off. Think they test by removing the overflow cap, so maybe I have a bad cap??

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

Latest update for the Mustang Rear Axle Vent Leak (note the friction modifier), worth asking if this could be applied for the Edge if a leak occurs in the RDU:

 

TSB 14-0046

REAR AXLE VENT – OIL LEAK

Publication Date: March 6, 2014

FORD: 2011-2014 Mustang

This article supersedes TSB 12-8-15 to update the vehicle model years, Service Procedure and Parts List.

ISSUE:

Some 2011-2014 Mustang vehicles equipped with a 3.7L, 5.0L 4V DOHC and 5.0L 4V DOHC SEFI with a rear axle vent located on the left axle tube may exhibit a fluid leak from the rear axle vent.

ACTION:

Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.

SERVICE PROCEDURE
1.Inspect the rear axle assembly for an oil leak from the rattle cap vent located on the left axle tube of the vehicle. Is there evidence of oil leakage around the rattle cap?
a.Yes – install a new vent kit following the instructions included in the kit.
b.No – this article does not apply. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 205-00 for normal diagnosis.

PART NUMBER PART NAME
DR3Z-4022-A Vent Kit
XY-75W140-QL Motorcraft® SAE 75W-140 Synthetic Rear Axle Lubricant
XL-3 Motorcraft® Additive Friction Modifier
PM-4-A Motorcraft® Metal Brake Parts Cleaner

OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME

140046A 2011-2014 Mustang: Inspect And Install New Vent Kit (Do Not Use With Any Other Labor Operations) 0.4 Hr.

WARRANTY STATUS

Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage.
Warranty/ESP coverage limits/policies/prior approvals are not altered by a TSB. Warranty/ESP coverage limits are determined by the identified causal part and verified using the OASIS part coverage tool.

DEALER CODING

BASIC PART NO. CONDITION CODE
4010 42

[Melissa Borgen Willick]

wlepse

You mentioned that there was a TSB for the clunk... my car is doing the exact same thing AND go figure, it's also in because the power steering fluid is leaking and is very black so I'm assuming it's on the return line. It's been into one dealer twice for the PS leak and still leaking. It's now a new dealership. Hopefully they can figure out where it's coming from and finally fix it! If you happen to know where I can look for that TSB on the clunk, I'd love to have a # to tell them because of course, "they can't recreate it"... making me feel like they think it's "all in my head"! AND add to the list, it's in the shop for the next TWO weeks because there is some kind of electrical draw on my battery that started out of the blue about ten days ago and we've changed the battery and are waiting some replacement part on that to get here, hence the two week wait... I LOVE my car but have had NOTHING but issues since April. It's three years old, has less than 75,000kms on it and I'm ready to kick Ford to the curb... If you can help at all, I sure would appreciate it! Cheers - Melissa in BC Canada

[wlepse]

I pulled out the invoice but it doesn't mention the TSB...sorry.