My GT has a small leak...Request help diagnosing


SYCO GT

SYCO GT

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Sep 9, 2006
5,048
California
2006 Ford GT. One owner (me). 5,500 miles on odometer.

Took her out for a very short drive today to a business lunch, nothing out of the ordinary in terms of feel or behavior. When I started her up to return home, I noticed the engine light came on in the parking lot. Never happened before. Pulled over and shut her down, started her up again and engine light gone.

Several hours later, tonight, I notice the following substance on the garage floor. Feels slick like an oil, but not sure if it is just engine oil or transaxle oil. Not sure what transaxle oil looks like.

Any guesses? I looked under the clamshell near the axles and did not see any obvious signs of leakage.

Stock axle bolts. Just got the letter from Ford to have them done. Won't move the car until I figure it out. Will Ford generally provide a flatbed for something like this? I need to have the bolt upgrade anyway.

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If you cannot see where it is coming from the top, it may be best to remove the belly pans to get a better look at things. Of course check all your fluid levels, motor oil, trans oil, power steering, and coolant while you are at it. It has to be one of these.
 
from the look of the photo's it would appear to be something other than engine oil; perhaps hydraulic fluid/brake fluid, etc. FLATBED THE GAL! Don't drive her.
 
Leak

It is quite possible that one bolt is broke on each side causing the leaks. We have had a few customers that we have found this on before we did the update. Also, before we started working on the car they were asking us to look for a leak. You are at the right mileage for this to happen also. I definitly advise a knowledgable flatbed driver also.

As are as the check engine light it might be the filler neck but you won't know until they put a scan tool on it.


Rich
 
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...bolt time...

Hey, Randy, pop the clamshell open and put your hand down under the 1/2 shaft bolt area of the 'case on each side of the car & see if you hand finds fluid there. If it DOES...
 
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Try wiping up the spill with clean rag, put the rag in a sealed jar, after a few hours take a sniff and see if it has the garlic smell of transmission oil.
 
Randy, I have a very GT user friendly flat-bed trailer. Say the word and I'll come over and tow it to where ever you feel most comfortable.
Only .49 cents a mile:biggrin

Did I post yet that I have no job?
 
SteveA said:
Randy, I have a very GT user friendly flat-bed trailer. Say the word and I'll come over and tow it to where ever you feel most comfortable.
Only .49 cents a mile:biggrin

Did I post yet that I have no job?
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Steve, I can tell you are on your way to the next mega fortune only 2,040,816 miles to go + expenses.:lol

There might be a franchise opportunity there.:bs
 
Thanks everyone for the help - very much appreciated! I am going out of town in an hour, so I won't be able to nurse the GT back to health for a few days...But I do appreciate the quick responses to put my mind at ease.

Happy Holidays everyone and I will update as soon as I am able.
 
pauleddy said:
from the look of the photo's it would appear to be something other than engine oil; perhaps hydraulic fluid/brake fluid, etc. FLATBED THE GAL! Don't drive her.
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Engine oil was changed by the GT Guys about 1,500 miles ago, and it seems a little too clean to me to be engine oil.
 
paul b said:
Try wiping up the spill with clean rag, put the rag in a sealed jar, after a few hours take a sniff and see if it has the garlic smell of transmission oil.
Click to expand...

I will try to do this and take the rag with me in a ziploc...Thanks!
 
SteveA said:
Randy, I have a very GT user friendly flat-bed trailer. Say the word and I'll come over and tow it to where ever you feel most comfortable.
Only .49 cents a mile:biggrin

Did I post yet that I have no job?
Click to expand...

Great, I will touch base with you and see what your schedule is like post Christmas, after the craziness dies down. I'm not going to mess with your holidays or thereabouts. I'll try to call Ken Grody of Buena Park in the interim to see if they have the warranty parts.
 
Bagged and tagged.

Doesn't smell like garlic yet, think it is more likely a type of oil moreso than coolant.

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SYCO GT said:
Bagged and tagged.

Doesn't smell like garlic yet, think it is more likely a type of oil moreso than coolant.

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*********************
My GT is in service as we speak for the halfshafts matter and "what appears" to be a small trans oil leak..I may be able to shed some light on this for you after the diagnostics are completed...If not completed by Monday , she will stay with the dealer until I return form Carolinas 1/4/08..I would update at that time..
Good Luck:thumbsup
 
Do you have the Ford Racing transaxle cooler on your gal?

I can (as with all of us) only speculate and yet if the answer is yes then I would place your finger under the point that the hose connect with the transaxle cooler and if fluid is present this is likely the/an issue

I have seen many gals that after several heat cycles need to have the fittings cinched again otherwise they sweat of bit of fluid.

Takes care

Shadowman
 
Hi Shadowman,

I don't have a Ford Racing (or other) Transaxle Cooler on my GT.
 
SYCO GT said:
Hi Shadowman,

I don't have a Ford Racing (or other) Transaxle Cooler on my GT.
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Thank you for filling in the blanks

Now rather than speculate it is time to remove the belly pans.

It could be a half shaft leak however it seems a but extreme for this. The o-ring at the oil filter cap?? The drain plugs have o-rings however have never seen one leaking unless loose.

I would lean towards to side of something simple but again the process needs to begin with the belly pans removed

Have a great holiday

Takes care

Shadowman
 
I'm surprised that the leak has gone through the pans. My guess is power steering pump.
 
Sure enough, the garlic smell oil was gear oil. Paul B was right on the money...

Another Ford GT gives up the driver side half shaft.

Thanks to everyone for their help diagonosing, and the offers of assistance from Steve A and Nota4re.

It was picked up by Blair's Towing via flatbed this morning and is awaiting repair at the local Ford Dealer.

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Glad your problem was the dreaded bolt issue.
Should not have been a shock, we all know the factory bolts need to be replaced.
This should be a strong warning to every member of this forum that has not changed out their bolts.
Happy New Year! :)
 
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