Leak Check Test
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Mercury Montego, 2005 Ford Freestyle, and 2005 Ford Five Hundred. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Remove the fluid level indicator and note the color of the fluid. Original factory fill fluid is bluish green when new and will darken to dark green or brown as it ages. Unless a considerable amount of makeup fluid has been added or the fluid has been changed, the blue color should assist in pinpointing the leak.
- Clean off any fluid from the top and bottom of the torque converter housing, front of the case and rear face of the engine and oil pan. Clean the torque converter area by washing with a suitable nonflammable solvent and blow dry with compressed air.
- Wash out the torque converter housing and the front of the flexplate. The torque converter housing may be washed out using cleaning solvent and a squirt-type oil can. Blow all washed areas dry with compressed air.
- Start and run the engine until the transaxle reaches its normal operating temperature. Observe the back of the cylinder block and top of the torque converter housing for evidence of fluid leakage. Raise the vehicle on a hoist and run the engine at fast idle, then at engine idle, occasionally shifting to the DRIVE and REVERSE ranges to increase pressure within the transaxle. Observe the front of the flexplate, back of the cylinder block (in as far as possible), and inside the torque converter housing and front of the case. Run the engine until fluid leakage is evident and the probable source of leakage can be determined.