Shisimona

Hello, my girlfriend has a 2004 Ford Escape and yesterday we noticed a burning smell. I looked underneath and saw red fluid hitting the exhaust. So I checked the power steering fluid. Fluid was fine. Then I checked the transmission fluid and it was low. I looked again. I couldnt see where it was leaking. Above the exhaust is dry but fluid is dripping on the exhaust. I also noticed the bottom of the transmission and part of the engine oil pan has transmission fluid on it. Then I looked again today and noticed the t-case or its a diff, not sure but I noticed the output seal is wet there. It has a switch for Auto and 4x4. Maybe im missing something here. Maybe someone can help me out here.

CatSkinner

I know I'm sounding like Captain Obvious,but it sounds like your seal is leaking.

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Prius repellant, just add gas.

360ci

Yep. Seal leak is nearly certain.

Transfer case mode has nothing to do with start/stopping the leak. The transfer case is always operational no matter the mode selected. I had a transmission seal leak on my Taurus, labour cost was rather high at around 3-4hrs.

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'00 Durango R/T 360ci 290hp (modded); 138,500m
'06 Pontiac G6 GT 3.5L 220hp; 44,000m
'12 Chrysler 200 Limited 3.6L 283hp; 13,000m
'99 Taurus 3.0L 2V Vulcan 145hp; 154,300m - Traded
Amsoil in all vehicles!

Shisimona

So, I havent been on here for a bit, but after doing more looking into it, its the power steering pressure hose. The only way I was able to find the leak was when the wheels were cranked all the way to either side. Now, here where the pain starts. The past 2 weeks, Ive been trying to find a pressure hose for this thing. And each time, its the wrong one. We even looked up by VIN and still got the wrong hose. But today, I found the right hose but this new hose dont have a spot to put the sensor. Now my question is, will it hurt anything if I removed this sensor?

CatSkinner

Shouldn't, but you will have to live with the idiot light.

__________________
Prius repellant, just add gas.

R.S.LOGAN

Remove bulb ?

CatSkinner

Or jump the switch. Not sure if it has a dedicated light or one of it's own.

__________________
Prius repellant, just add gas.

tomw

I think the switch is to notify the computer that it can expect the load of the power steering pump on the engine. The computer uses that to bump the idle speed to compensate. I don't know if it will turn on a light. If concerned, disconnect the switch before replacing the hose and check whether the light is displayed or not.
Pretty pathetic that a hose that new needs replacement. I replace both hoses on my old car, but it was approaching 20 years when they were needed, and had ~200k miles.
tom