We bought our 2002 Escape with 101K miles on it. At about 106K it started having a small (silver dollar sized) transmission fluid drip. Our mechanic replaced a rear seal, but it started dripping again shortly afterwards, but now there would be TWO small drips under the car. He checked it and said the new seal was dry and replaced an axle seal (I think -- I'm not a car person, unfortunately). It was still dripping, so he asked the dealership and ended up replacing an axle shaft. It kept right on dripping. The mechanic has tried tightening gaskets, pans, everything he can think of. Everything seems to be behaving just fine with the transmission -- no loose axles or anything. He wants us to drive it around for a couple weeks and see if it gets worse, but so far it's exactly the same. Two small drip spots on the ground every time it's parked.

My husband peered down through the engine with the mechanic and thought he saw wetness around and beneath the dip stick housing itself. Now we're wondering if the O-ring around the dip stick is leaking. The mechanic plans to buy the O-ring and see if that takes care of it, but advised me to go online and check with other Escape owners.

Anyone have any ideas? Thanks!!!

 

The dipstick is a possibility and an easy fix. Sounds like the other possibilities have been taken care of.

 

Thanks -- I'll let you know if that takes care of the problem. Yes, I think the mechanic went after every other possible cause. Makes me wonder a little of some of the new parts weren't necessary, but with a car that age it's sort of nice to know we have a bunch of new seals and axle parts, right?