Transmission is leaking *again*

[CalvinHobbes]

2002 Chrysler Sebring Conv. with V6 engine.

Back in Feb 09 car was leaking what we thought was oil.

We needed to get the oil changed anyway so we went to the dealer and the said that the trans hoses and fittings were shot and that's where the leak was coming from. We paid A LOT to have the work done.

Today, I get home and the car (which had been parked for several hours) has a puddle of trans fluid flowing down the center of the garage. I look under the car and I can see a drop of red fluid coming from under where the engine is. I assume the trans is in front on a front drive car?

The labor warranty is up on the work that was done but I'm pissed that this is happening again so I want to call the dealer. I'd rather take it to someone else at this point.

Is this a typical issue with these cars and why would another leak happen 7 months after it was fixed?

 

[LOUISSSSS]

the dealer prob did a shitty fix job so that you'd come back to them and pay them more. no reason for it to break again within a year.

+ the sebring is a low quality car... if i were you i'd fix it then sell it for a new car.

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
the dealer prob did a shitty fix job so that you'd come back to them and pay them more. no reason for it to break again within a year.

+ the sebring is a low quality car... if i were you i'd fix it then sell it for a new car.

Troll post from a troll, big surprise there.

For most things I wouldn't take a car to the dealer if it was out of warranty. Ask around to people you know to locate a good independent mechanic. Even the best independent mechanic will end up charging you less than the dealership.

 

[CalvinHobbes]

I took it to a shop this morning that would look at the car for no charge. I've used them in the past for oil changes and they seem to be honest.

 

[radioouman]

It is likely to be the solenoid pack gasket on the front of the transmission. It is a quick repair if the mechanic can get the new gasket.

It could also be the cooler lines... the clamps at the ends tend to let the hoses leak after a while.

And third is the transmission pan itself. The Chrysler garages use black RTV that is specified by Chrysler. I tried to seal mine using orange RTV and also black RTV and could never get it to stop leaking. i also tried a rubber gasket. But when I asked the Chrysler garage to do it, it never leaked again.

By the way, I think that these are nice cars and worth fixing. As long as you change your oil every 3000-5000 miles (assuming you have the 2.7 liter V6) it will be fine car for a long time. I also owned a 2002 and sold it in December of 2008.

http://www.crabtree-consulting...005/Sebring/?g2_page=2

 

[exar333]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
the dealer prob did a shitty fix job so that you'd come back to them and pay them more. no reason for it to break again within a year.

+ the sebring is a low quality car... if i were you i'd fix it then sell it for a new car.

They haven't banned you yet?

 

[CalvinHobbes]

Turns out it was coolant and not trans fluid. I forgot that some cars use red colored coolant and thought it was trans fluid. The shop says it's the coolant sensor housing that is leaking and it needs to be replaced.

 

[slag]

LOL.. how can you mistake coolant from ATF? Sure, they are both red, but look nothing alike.

Oh, and I agree with louisssssss

Most chrysler/dodge vehicles are crappy middle-low end cars. Nearly all of them start smoking and burning oil and they are just poorly designed and built. I can say this because I've unfortunately owned a few in my day. Jeeps are another division altogether and are pretty decent.

Sell it and get a GM or Ford.

 

[bruceb]

On a quick glance, you could mistake them. Dexcool is Orange, trans fluid is more of a Red or Purplish color.
Of course, in most cases, a quick sniff can tell which is which.

 

[radioouman]

That is a very common problem with those cars. It is about a $100 part. I changed mine at home, but it shouldn't take the dealer more than an hour.

The people in this thread don't know what they are talking about. The 2001-2007 Sebring convertible is a well designed car that was very well respected when it was released. The 2.7 liter even sounds nice when the top is down. The car is comfortable and handles reasonably even though it is pretty heavy.

My biggest complaints was the noises from the top and the door panels, but when the top was down that was a completely different car.