Lost a lot of pink watery fluid, drivers side

[SterlingGraySHO]

Hi all. I have a 2015 with PP. Just turned 100K miles.
Driving today I thought at first it was a wheel bearing going bad.
Then the engine was rough under acceleration. Pulled over to look at things.
Noticed the left front tire had a watery fluid on the sidewalls.
Underneath the front chassis driver's side was leaking pink watery fluid.
Drove back home 20 minutes and the noise was dishearting to say the least.
Engine never overheated. LF Wheel didn't feel hot.
Any ideas what is broken?
Thanks for looking.

 

[luigisho]

Some of the coolant is orange or goldish yellow, tranny fluid is usually red. Is there a way something failed and they mixed and leaked?

The obvious first step is to check all your fluids and see what is low. What kind of noise?

 

[SterlingGraySHO]

Some of the coolant is orange or goldish yellow, tranny fluid is usually red. Is there a way something failed and they mixed and leaked?

The obvious first step is to check all your fluids and see what is low. What kind of noise?

Thanks for responding luigisho. Coolant reservoir is empty. Never noticed any fluid leaks till todays mess. Maybe the orange/golden yellow is just faded over time. The noise happens when driving, almost like a wheel loose. Worse under acceleration. Does it even in neutral down a hill. Car starts fine but when you start to drive it shudders. Never knew AT fluid was checkable, thought it was a sealed system. Will have to check that tomorrow. Probably should put some coolant if I attempt anymore driving.

 

[SterlingGraySHO]

Thanks for responding luigisho. Coolant reservoir is empty. Never noticed any fluid leaks till todays mess. Maybe the orange/golden yellow is just faded over time. The noise happens when driving, almost like a wheel loose. Worse under acceleration. Does it even in neutral down a hill. Car starts fine but when you start to drive it shudders. Never knew AT fluid was checkable, thought it was a sealed system. Will have to check that tomorrow. Probably should put some coolant if I attempt anymore driving.

P.S. Oil level ok. No sign of water.

 

[luigisho]

I don't have the newer SHO incarnation so I don't know if the transmission on this car has a dipstick or not. I do have a '14 f150 that uses that orange coolant that I don't like. I run the yellow gold stuff and migrated to cheaper aftermarket compatible fluids. Orange that is old might look redder or brown/orange. Tranny fluid has been red for a long time. Also power steering fluid is often red. The new SHO might be electric power steering vs hydraulic. Not sure on that either.

The sound is like a loose wheel. How is the feel? is it getting hot and pulling timing? Is the waterpump grinding?

 

[SterlingGraySHO]

Thanks. The wheel feels fine but I'll have to jack it up to be sure. Engine never got hot. I read on here somewhere the coolant issue is an easier fix if it's dripping to the floor rather than spewing on the engine bay. I don't think the water pump is grinding since the noise is when the car is moving. At idle there's no noise. When revving in idle it feels like it's gasping for air. I'll sleep on it and give it a better look in the morning. I'm hoping it's a hose issue. Fingers crossed.

 

[kryptto]

When I hear pink/red I hear transmission, watery might be mixing with coolant.


- Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use of recycled engine coolant in vehicles originally equipped with Motorcraft(R) Orange Antifreeze/Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet available.
Coolant Flow Diagram - 2.0L GTDI (Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection) Temperature Control Valve
NOTE: The transmission fluid cooler - warmer is mounted on top of the transmission. On initial startup, the temperature control valve bypasses the transmission fluid cooler - warmer circuit, and the coolant flows back to the engine. If the coolant temperature is above -9°C (15°F), the temperature control valve directs coolant to the transmission fluid cooler - warmer circuit when the transmission is shifted to any gear other than park or neutral.
NOTE: At 38°C (100°F) ambient temperature, amber arrows indicate coolant temperature approximately 90°C (194°F).

3.5L Ti-VCT (Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing)
NOTE: At 38°C (100°F) ambient temperature, green arrows indicate coolant temperature below 90°C (194°F), amber arrows indicate coolant temperature approximately 90°C (194°F), red arrows indicate coolant temperature above 90°C (194°F).

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[Texas Marauder]

The transmission dipstick is under the air filter housing. You must remove the air filter housing to access it.

 

[SterlingGraySHO]

Removed RF wheel. Lots of grease, CV boot clamp was toward the engine, boot was towards the wheel. Two metal lines under the CV axle so I couldn't get the boot back on. Still not sure where the coolant leak originates.

 

[kryptto]

Check on top of the transmission from the thermostat housing? Just a suggestion.

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[SterlingGraySHO]

Removed RF wheel. Lots of grease, CV boot clamp was toward the engine, boot was towards the wheel. Two metal lines under the CV axle so I couldn't get the boot back on. Still not sure where the coolant leak originates.

Oops I meant the LF wheel. My mistake.

 

[luigisho]

what side is the reservoir/overflow tank? what side is the water pump on?

 

[kryptto]

I am responding just to answer, something tells me you have other reasons for asking @luigisho

Your reservoir and water pump front right- passenger side. @SterlingGraySHO can shed light on your findings?

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[SterlingGraySHO]

what side is the reservoir/overflow tank? what side is the water pump on?

Tank is right side, pump is left side.
Didn't see any fluid around the water pump.

 

[Texas Marauder]

Tank is right side, pump is left side.
Didn't see any fluid around the water pump.

Don't know what pump is on the left side. Water pump is on the right, inside the timing cover.

 

[SterlingGraySHO]

Don't know what pump is on the left side. Water pump is on the right, inside the timing cover.

I'll have to look again, thanks

 

[SterlingGraySHO]

Don't know what pump is on the left side. Water pump is on the right, inside the timing

 

[SterlingGraySHO]

Update. . .the transmission mount broke causing this whole mess.

 

[SHOdded]

i guess it must be fluid filled? or is there damage to the transmission itself. hoping for a quick and cheap resolution.

wonder if the mount is oem or aftermarket. check torque strut also.

Engine & Trans Mounting for 2015 Ford Taurus | Levittown Ford Parts

parts.levittownfordparts.com

 

[kryptto]

When the mount broke - possible one of the cooler lines is cracked/broken leaking fluid.