2011 Ford Escape Xlt 2.5L Engine Oil Question
Asked by Natapp1 Dec 28, 2020 at 01:42 PM about the 2011 Ford Escape XLT FWD
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
So today I was charging my battery on my car and I
saw this [see picture below]. It was not there a
week ago because I topped of my windshield
washer fluid and I didn't see it at that time. I used
my finger to wipe some up and It either smelled
like engine oil or transmission oil im not sure which
one. I can also tell you that it had some little
metallic stuff mixed into the fluid as well. The
transmission oil has also never been changed at
all. I also drive the car everyday and it has not been
driving any different however it has been shifting at
higher rpms then normal. Also I just got a remote
start and I've been using that all the time. Any help
you can give me would on what is happening
would be greatly appreciated.
8 Answers
All of the fluids except the transmission fluid has been changed regularly. The transmission fluid hasn't been changed due to the fact that I bought the car about 20K Miles ago and the mechanic I talked to said that they wouldn't recommend changing the transmission fluid because if it wasn't change at 100K miles it could now make the transmission run worse instead of better.
Also what is that sensor that is covered with that oil stuff does that have to be replaced or cleaned at all?
Wipe up the oil. Not changing the transmission fluid is a really bad idea. Plan on a new transmission before long.
I was kinda thinking I would need a transmission before long anyways like you said. What what could be causing the oil or whatever to leak where it is and how would I fix it? Also what is that sensor by all of the oil?
That is probably a cam position sensor. A small oil leak hurts nothing. You can replace it if it annoys you.
So if its an oil leak should I see if I need to add more oil to it then? Also what could cause it to leak right there cause that is by the spark plugs could it be a bad head gasket? Also what could cause the car to shift at higher rpms? Could that be due to low oil? Or would that be something different entirely.
I wouldn't worry about the little amount of weeping as the photo shows. You should be checking your oil level once a week anyhow due to the engine burning it and little leaks as the engine ages. The duratec engine gaskets always start leaking around 100K, but as long as the oil is at the proper level, they will run a long time. The timing cover is another area that it can be leaking. Replacing the gaskets are a labor intensive job, aka big money, Adding oil is cheap.
