Sudden Loss of Coolant on 2011 V6
3/28/14, 08:45 AM
#1
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Sudden Loss of Coolant on 2011 V6
My wife's 2011 V6 Mustang MCA overheated while driving home last night, to the point where the gauge turns red, which easily caught my attention. I often check fluid levels, so this loss had to be rather sudden, but not enough that it was obvious. There is coolant residue with some puddling in the lower areas below where the oil filter is located. The puddled fluid appears somewhat red colored, like the coolant is contaminated, possibly with ATF. It took over a gallon of coolant (50/50 mix) to bring the level back to normal. I started the car without the A/C on and let it idle until the radiator fan started cycling and I don't see any leak. Perhaps it has something related to the transmission cooler and doesn't happen until the ATF reaches a certain temperature.
I'll have to bring it into Ford for diagnosis and repair. The car has only 34,189 miles, but it's just outside of three years as far as the factory warranty goes. Maybe Deysha can help. It does have Ford's ESP coverage with a deductible, if it's anything major.
Update: It's at the dealership now. They gave me a rental and sent me on my way. Hopefully they will know something by the EOD.
I'll have to bring it into Ford for diagnosis and repair. The car has only 34,189 miles, but it's just outside of three years as far as the factory warranty goes. Maybe Deysha can help. It does have Ford's ESP coverage with a deductible, if it's anything major.
Update: It's at the dealership now. They gave me a rental and sent me on my way. Hopefully they will know something by the EOD.
Last edited by SoFlaBoss; 3/28/14 at 10:37 AM.
3/28/14, 11:14 PM
#2
Shelby GT500 Member
My wife's 2011 V6 Mustang MCA overheated while driving home last night, to the point where the gauge turns red, which easily caught my attention. I often check fluid levels, so this loss had to be rather sudden, but not enough that it was obvious. There is coolant residue with some puddling in the lower areas below where the oil filter is located. The puddled fluid appears somewhat red colored, like the coolant is contaminated, possibly with ATF. It took over a gallon of coolant (50/50 mix) to bring the level back to normal. I started the car without the A/C on and let it idle until the radiator fan started cycling and I don't see any leak. Perhaps it has something related to the transmission cooler and doesn't happen until the ATF reaches a certain temperature.
I'll have to bring it into Ford for diagnosis and repair. The car has only 34,189 miles, but it's just outside of three years as far as the factory warranty goes. Maybe Deysha can help. It does have Ford's ESP coverage with a deductible, if it's anything major.
Update: It's at the dealership now. They gave me a rental and sent me on my way. Hopefully they will know something by the EOD.
I'll have to bring it into Ford for diagnosis and repair. The car has only 34,189 miles, but it's just outside of three years as far as the factory warranty goes. Maybe Deysha can help. It does have Ford's ESP coverage with a deductible, if it's anything major.
Update: It's at the dealership now. They gave me a rental and sent me on my way. Hopefully they will know something by the EOD.
3/29/14, 03:52 AM
#3
Mach 1 Member
My wife's 2011 V6 Mustang MCA overheated while driving home last night, to the point where the gauge turns red, which easily caught my attention. I often check fluid levels, so this loss had to be rather sudden, but not enough that it was obvious. There is coolant residue with some puddling in the lower areas below where the oil filter is located. The puddled fluid appears somewhat red colored, like the coolant is contaminated, possibly with ATF. It took over a gallon of coolant (50/50 mix) to bring the level back to normal. I started the car without the A/C on and let it idle until the radiator fan started cycling and I don't see any leak. Perhaps it has something related to the transmission cooler and doesn't happen until the ATF reaches a certain temperature.
I'll have to bring it into Ford for diagnosis and repair. The car has only 34,189 miles, but it's just outside of three years as far as the factory warranty goes. Maybe Deysha can help. It does have Ford's ESP coverage with a deductible, if it's anything major.
Update: It's at the dealership now. They gave me a rental and sent me on my way. Hopefully they will know something by the EOD.
I'll have to bring it into Ford for diagnosis and repair. The car has only 34,189 miles, but it's just outside of three years as far as the factory warranty goes. Maybe Deysha can help. It does have Ford's ESP coverage with a deductible, if it's anything major.
Update: It's at the dealership now. They gave me a rental and sent me on my way. Hopefully they will know something by the EOD.
3/29/14, 09:31 PM
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It turned out to be the water pump that was leaking, and they replaced it under the powertrain warranty. All seems fine now. I'm just surprised that it failed so soon at 34,189 miles. Supposedly there was no ATF in the coolant, nor coolant in the transmission, so all is good.
3/30/14, 05:03 AM
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I've read here that others with the V6 have had water pump failures at an early mileage age; seems these issues come from 3.7's in the north though.
Last edited by Bucko; 3/30/14 at 05:06 AM.
3/30/14, 05:17 AM
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Water pumps are kind of strange. They either last forever or fail like yours at an early age. My buddy had an 05 GTO and his water pump failed early at about 35K.
3/31/14, 09:13 AM
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My wife's 2011 V6 Mustang MCA overheated while driving home last night, to the point where the gauge turns red, which easily caught my attention. I often check fluid levels, so this loss had to be rather sudden, but not enough that it was obvious. There is coolant residue with some puddling in the lower areas below where the oil filter is located. The puddled fluid appears somewhat red colored, like the coolant is contaminated, possibly with ATF. It took over a gallon of coolant (50/50 mix) to bring the level back to normal. I started the car without the A/C on and let it idle until the radiator fan started cycling and I don't see any leak. Perhaps it has something related to the transmission cooler and doesn't happen until the ATF reaches a certain temperature.
I'll have to bring it into Ford for diagnosis and repair. The car has only 34,189 miles, but it's just outside of three years as far as the factory warranty goes. Maybe Deysha can help. It does have Ford's ESP coverage with a deductible, if it's anything major.
Update: It's at the dealership now. They gave me a rental and sent me on my way. Hopefully they will know something by the EOD.
I'll have to bring it into Ford for diagnosis and repair. The car has only 34,189 miles, but it's just outside of three years as far as the factory warranty goes. Maybe Deysha can help. It does have Ford's ESP coverage with a deductible, if it's anything major.
Update: It's at the dealership now. They gave me a rental and sent me on my way. Hopefully they will know something by the EOD.
Deysha
3/31/14, 10:38 AM
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Fairly high failure rate on the 3.7 compared to normal.
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