[blinkskaterkc]

The issue has been fixed. The vent hose was clogged. Its a ling hose that goes from the canister to around the gas cap area. What was it clogged with? Dead spiders and webs.

[blinkskaterkc]

The issue has been fixed. The vent hose was clogged. Its a ling hose that goes from the canister to around the gas cap area. What was it clogged with? Dead spiders and webs.

[blinkskaterkc]

Thanks, that actually helps a lot. It looks like the hose nearest to the solenoid is the vent hose that I need to check out. Doesnt look like dirt/rocks/water can really get in there since it seems pretty sealed, but ya never know. Ill let ya know the result tomorrow.

[blinkskaterkc]

Thanks, that actually helps a lot. It looks like the hose nearest to the solenoid is the vent hose that I need to check out. Doesnt look like dirt/rocks/water can really get in there since it seems pretty sealed, but ya never know. Ill let ya know the result tomorrow.

[blinkskaterkc]

Just a bit of extra information on this. The vent solenoid goes directly in the charcoal canister, so from what I can tell there is no vent line/hose that is connected to the solenoid. I was told that cleaning the vent line may fix the issue.

Also, the vent solenoid is cylindrical in shape and I dont believe is the type that I can blow into to check if it’s open, etc.

Any help is appreciated!

[blinkskaterkc]

Just a bit of extra information on this. The vent solenoid goes directly in the charcoal canister, so from what I can tell there is no vent line/hose that is connected to the solenoid. I was told that cleaning the vent line may fix the issue.

Also, the vent solenoid is cylindrical in shape and I dont believe is the type that I can blow into to check if it’s open, etc.

Any help is appreciated!

[blinkskaterkc]

Thanks for the input johnbkobb. The transmission light is indeed flashing. I didn’t know the transmission light stored trouble codes too. Unfortunately, I don’t have a scanner to read the codes. My main concern is that I am currently looking for a new used car, but I would hate to spend the money on a new used car if my current car can be fixed for cheap. I mainly want to know if my transmission problem (given the symptoms) can really just be a dirty filter.

1) Is there a transmission trouble code for a dirty transmission fluid filter?

2) Did I already do too much damage to the transmission (probably worth just getting a new car)?

3) Is there any value to the car assuming it has a bad transmission (and needs an alternator and tie rods)?

Thanks,
Kurt

[blinkskaterkc]

No can do. I would have to have it towed..

[blinkskaterkc]

And it IS indeed the timing cover gasket that’s leaking. I searched this online and this is a HUGELY common issue for my model of car (Ford Taurus 2000 Vulcan engine).

I’ve looked online on how to get to this timing cover, and it seems like it’d be too much for me. Has anyone does this before, or can anyone suggest whether to try this myself or not. I’ve recently just done my water pump, but that was almost pushing my limit, so I’m unsure if I can do this job.

I’ve read that it would require to drop the oil pan (since the pan has a couple of bolts that meet with timing cover). Also, in order to drop the oil pan, I’d have to take off the Y pipe (exhaust). In addition, there would be power steering lines to take off, as well as drain the coolant, remove coolant resevoir, remove alternator, a bunch of brackets, unbolt to crank pulley, remove the harmonic balancer, etc., etc.

::Sigh:: =(

I suppose maybe I can keep driving it and top it off on coolant every other day…

HELP!

[blinkskaterkc]

Hey guys,

Well I’ve looked under the car, and there’s STILL coolant leaking!!! Nooooooooo 🙁 What a bummer! I thought it was coming from the water pump, but apparently not! I’m wondering if it’s possible it’s coming from the engine block (maybe a crack)?

When I took the water pump off, I could see that it seemed the leak was coming from beyong the water pump (more internal).

‘Stayindirty’ is it possible that the timing cover gasket can leak enough coolant to be noticeably low after only 3 days of driving? I think I’ve lost about 2 cups of coolant.

Also, I’ve looked at the radiator hose that goes into the water pump, and it seems to be fine. Actually, I notcied the leak was dripping onto this hose!

Anyone have any other ideas as to where this leak is coming from? I could really use the help. because I’m at a loss.

[blinkskaterkc]

Hey yvc,

I’m by no means very qualified to answer your question, but I thought I’d give you my thoughts. How is the radiator busted? If it’s in such poor shape that it’s contaminating the coolant, then a flush would probably be necessary. If the coolant looks fine (may be hard to tell though), then it’s possible the flush wouldn’t be necessary. But also keep in mind a coolant flush is recommended every so often, so maybe the car is due for one anyway. Good luck

[blinkskaterkc]

Ok, so just as an update, I spent this past weekend replacing the water pump. In order to get to it I had to remove quite a bit, and I was probably a bit over my head, but I managed to get it done. I installed it correctly and sewed the car back up. Now here is my question. When I removed the bolts from the old water pump I noticed there was coolant all over about 2 or 3 of the bolts. This rings odd to me because why would there be coolant on the bolts? Does this seem odd to anyone else, or should I probably not worry about it?

So far I’ve only driven a day or two with the new water pump, and I will need to keep driving for another week-ish in order to see if I’ve lost any coolant like I was before. Wish me luck, I hope I fixed the problem!

And a BIGGGG thanks to Eric for making me believe I could even tackle something like this. ::THUMBS UP::

[blinkskaterkc]

Hey guys,

I just wanted to update you guys on this issue. It’s been a while, but I finally got around to buying some coolant dye and a black light to go with it. The symptoms of have been the same this whole time, which is that I lose coolant and have to fill my resevoir tank every other week or so. So anyway, I added the dye, and with my blacklight I can clearly see the coolant dripping from the bottom of my engine. I’d say it’s dripping almost right under the water pump (or very near anyway). I think that may be the problem here. When I’m looking from the bottom of the car (on the passenger side), I can see the dripping coming from a large pipe, which I initially thought was an exhaust pipe. I can’t tell if the coolant it being leaked onto this pipe, or if it’s leaking from the pipe itself. I still have to determine this. I am glad, though, that it doesn’t seem to be a blown head gasket.

So now that I’ve determined there is a blatant leak, I guess my next step is to find out what part this is that it’s leaking from right?

If anyone has any further suggestions, I really appreciate them!

Thanks!

[blinkskaterkc]

If it is leaking from the water pump, wouldn’t you recommend just replacing the water pump though, since my car is about 160,000 miles. I would do it myself btw

[blinkskaterkc]

That sounds like a reasonable approach. I personally will probably just replace the entire water pump with a rebuilt one. Thanks guys, I appreciate your comments.

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