I have a 2014 Ford Escape 4WD with the 1.6L engine. On two different occasions I've received a warning message that the engine was experiencing excessive overheating. (I did not take note of the exact wording of the warning, but it was rather frightening when the message popped up.) Both times the coolant level was extremely low and once the coolant was filled, there were no problems. Since the second warning message I have driven with a gallon of antifreeze in the trunk and have had to fill up the coolant about every two weeks. My car is under the recall and was checked at our local dealer. As I understand the recall, dealers are authorized to check for leaks, repair any leaks that are found, and top off the antifreeze. I was told that later this year Ford will be installing a warning light on my dash that will notify me when the coolant is low. No leaks were found on my car. Unfortunately, my transmission failed at 90,000 miles. After doing some research and speaking to the independent repairman about the issue, I learned that excessive engine overheating leads to transmission failure. I suppose I should consider myself lucky as at least my car did not catch fire as some have. Nonetheless, I believe Ford should at least correct the engine problem that is causing the overheating. I assume that the replacement transmission will fail prematurely, as well. After a lifetime of buying Fords that performed exceptionally (even above our expectations), my family and I will no longer purchase Ford vehicles. I have approached Ford and the UAW about the issue and was told that they will do nothing to improve the condition of my vehicle. Interestingly, in both Ford's written response to me and the phone call I received, Ford representatives focused on the transmission replacement not being under warranty and totally disregarded the CAUSE of the failure, the excessive engine temps. Anyone else experiencing transmission failure along with excessive engine heat?
Engine overheating leading to transmission failure
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We know nothing of the service history of your vehicle, so it's hard to judge the validity of what you claim -- but regardless I'm sorry to hear of your problems.
It sounds like you repeatedly drove the car with a low coolant and didn't get the problem remedied (having the dealer tell you they can't find anything when the car is long out of warranty isn't getting it fixed).
I don't know of any systematic problems like yours, so I'm not sure I can judge Ford, the UAW, or the vehicle design based on your story. There's so much information missing about the 90,000 miles leading up to your problem.
It sounds like you repeatedly drove the car with a low coolant and didn't get the problem remedied (having the dealer tell you they can't find anything when the car is long out of warranty isn't getting it fixed).
I don't know of any systematic problems like yours, so I'm not sure I can judge Ford, the UAW, or the vehicle design based on your story. There's so much information missing about the 90,000 miles leading up to your problem.
Wow, it sounds like you have some really lousy luck with the car. Very sorry to hear that, I think all of us would be disappointed in your shoes.
Unfortunately the engine overheating has nothing to do with the transmission failure. There is an oil-to-water cooler in most Escapes, but when the preheating function is off, it cycles coolant from the cool side of the radiator, which always operates significantly below engine operating temperature. I've spent a lot of time over the years monitoring engine and transmission temps, and the engine always heats up significantly faster than the transmission.
Lack of flow to the transmission could overheat it, but it would take a LONG time for this to happen. To get to the point where your transmission would sustain damage, your engine would be well beyond molten slag from running without coolant for that long. Outside of a lab with some extremely specific conditions being tested I don't see this as being possible. On top of that, your car monitors transmission temperature and would warn you if your transmission got too hot. You've got a crappy situation to deal with, but the engine cooling system isn't to blame.
Unfortunately the engine overheating has nothing to do with the transmission failure. There is an oil-to-water cooler in most Escapes, but when the preheating function is off, it cycles coolant from the cool side of the radiator, which always operates significantly below engine operating temperature. I've spent a lot of time over the years monitoring engine and transmission temps, and the engine always heats up significantly faster than the transmission.
Lack of flow to the transmission could overheat it, but it would take a LONG time for this to happen. To get to the point where your transmission would sustain damage, your engine would be well beyond molten slag from running without coolant for that long. Outside of a lab with some extremely specific conditions being tested I don't see this as being possible. On top of that, your car monitors transmission temperature and would warn you if your transmission got too hot. You've got a crappy situation to deal with, but the engine cooling system isn't to blame.
My transmission failed and was replaced at 90,000 and current mileage is 125,000. The engine is louder than it used to be. Possibly the turbo. I smell a burning smell after driving for awhile and stopping for a stoplight or going through a drive through. I don't know the answer to the other questions. I'm sorry.
I moved your post back to your original thread on the issue you where having. Not sure where else to put it as it didn't fit at all in the thread you posted in. The thread you posted in was discussing replacing a 1.6 with a 2.0 engine. Nothing to do with transmissions failing.
@jshel101, I asked the question about miles when the tranny failed and total miles in the thread about 1.6 > 2.0 swap. Blame me not the OP.
It was an attempt to get a full context for the need for the swap question, wondering if the reported oil leak might relate to the tranny work. IMHO it's helpful for readers to get context when they find a post about a speculated 1.6 total failure, which the swap post is.
'Your' forum, do what you will, but don't blame the OP for posting a direct response to a direct question, please.
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Very well. I shall enter 2 demerits against your name in the "Official Moderator's Book of Member Transgressions"... hmmmm... wow, you've got quite a few pages in there... >
rather than more cute clutter, why not restore the moved post to the original flow of the On Topic conversation. :|Very well. I shall enter 2 demerits against your name in the "Official Moderator's Book of Member Transgressions"... hmmmm... wow, you've got quite a few pages in there... >
and delete posts # 6+ from this old thread
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A) Because I'm cute, and B) Because I didn't move it and I'm not overriding @jshel101 on this.
Then how 'bout refraining from responding to posts tagged for his attention.
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Maybe you might want to chill. We do fool around on here and there's not need for you to get so irritated about a joke.
If you don't want folks like me commenting, your best best would be to PM jshel about it rather than putting it on a public thread. In fact that's what we recommend when you have an issue with something a moderator has done.
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Ha! Take a look at my file! @centex got nothing over me!... hmmmm... wow, you've got quite a few pages in there... >
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I apologize to you, @centex -- I think we both had too much testosterone in our systems today, lol.
Can we all be friends now?
wow , now back to the original question,
in my humble opinion there is no way an engine over heat condition could possibly lead to trans failure.
unless the trans cooling pipe within the radiator failed and coolant got sucked into the trans.
i guess also if you got the car deep enough in water to suck water in through the breather that would do it.
but assuming none of the above i fail to see the relationship between engine over heat and dead trans.
the trans is only connected to the engine with nuts and bolts and both are governed by computer.
so again in my humble opinion best be looking elseware
macca
just as a side note i drove my XJ jeep cherokee with unbeknown to me crushed trans cooling lines for 5 years before the trans failed, towed an 18 foot boat all through the summers and only towards the end did it display any signs of discontent. swapped it out sorted out the cooling lines, new external trans cooler and back to good as gold.
so while a totally different vehicle and technology the auto trans can take a fair hammering.
Ok second side note: out of curiosity i just went and checked my coolant levels and its spot on, doesn't use a drop, due to these forums i make it a point to check every couple of days, while at it i check the engine oil as well, i change the oil every 7500 km with mobil1 full synthetic and the filter with a genuine ford.
i check the windscreen washer fluids and tyre pressures.
and plan to do a drain and fill of the trans next engine oil change,
at the risk of offending do the people who have problems with this vehicle ( not withstanding the recognised flaws as has been done my Ford) do any preventative maintenance, or do you even know where the hood release is, or do you simple drive the thing till the service indicator comes up and then rely on the integrity of someone else to do the maintenance.
seems to me that thats the case.
sorry for the rant, but i see so many cars bagged out for being lemons when its primarily the owners attitude.
and please, I'm not suggesting that anyone here is like that so please don't take offence,
in my humble opinion there is no way an engine over heat condition could possibly lead to trans failure.
unless the trans cooling pipe within the radiator failed and coolant got sucked into the trans.
i guess also if you got the car deep enough in water to suck water in through the breather that would do it.
but assuming none of the above i fail to see the relationship between engine over heat and dead trans.
the trans is only connected to the engine with nuts and bolts and both are governed by computer.
so again in my humble opinion best be looking elseware
macca
just as a side note i drove my XJ jeep cherokee with unbeknown to me crushed trans cooling lines for 5 years before the trans failed, towed an 18 foot boat all through the summers and only towards the end did it display any signs of discontent. swapped it out sorted out the cooling lines, new external trans cooler and back to good as gold.
so while a totally different vehicle and technology the auto trans can take a fair hammering.
Ok second side note: out of curiosity i just went and checked my coolant levels and its spot on, doesn't use a drop, due to these forums i make it a point to check every couple of days, while at it i check the engine oil as well, i change the oil every 7500 km with mobil1 full synthetic and the filter with a genuine ford.
i check the windscreen washer fluids and tyre pressures.
and plan to do a drain and fill of the trans next engine oil change,
at the risk of offending do the people who have problems with this vehicle ( not withstanding the recognised flaws as has been done my Ford) do any preventative maintenance, or do you even know where the hood release is, or do you simple drive the thing till the service indicator comes up and then rely on the integrity of someone else to do the maintenance.
seems to me that thats the case.
sorry for the rant, but i see so many cars bagged out for being lemons when its primarily the owners attitude.
and please, I'm not suggesting that anyone here is like that so please don't take offence,
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