[SRT_HC_707]

Dodge replaced the power steering hose on my car while it at the train/transport station in Angola, NY. The car was put on hold and a Fenkel inspection was noted. I inquired with SRT and they said there was a quality issue with some power steering hoses that made it onto cars. Mine was one and the hose was replaced by Fenkel. This is what I was told anyway....

 

[SRT_HC_707]

Now that's just silly! Can't be just changing the rules whenever they feel like it.

First it's orange and purple antifreeze! What's next? Brown window washer fluid?

Various oils/fluids have gone nuts in the past few years. I get engineering fluids for the application but I swear some of this is just to force people to buy OE fluids and spend more money. I mean really, how many antifreeze variations do we really need. Motors are cast iron and aluminum. You would think one or two antifreeze variations should cover them all...

 

[SRT_HC_707]

That's a good point. But I remember my 2006 SRT8 having an issue where the coolant turned to cottage cheese because it didn't have some additive in it or something. The overflow bottle literally started filling with white goop. There was a TSB on it, that I had to have performed twice to completely correct the problem. So maybe the different types of coolant are more important than we realize?

I'm not saying ignore the recommendation. I certainly do what the manual recommends. I just think they have gotten crazy in recent years. When I was a kid there was two options.... Straight water or green anti-freeze and water. That was it!!!!

Now you need some $40 per gallon super juice that is already diluted (so you really are getting 1/2 gallon for $40) and if you don't use it your cooling system turns to cottage cheese. Crazy!

 

[SRT_HC_707]

Mine tends to leak a black carbon color fluid from around the catalytic converter area where I guess there are weep holes for the condensation to drain. Keep us posted....

KW

That's normal. Just water coming out of the exhaust. It's a byproduct of combustion.

 

[SRT_HC_707]

The dealer called me yesterday afternoon to say that they think the fluid is coming from the transmission. He said the fluid appeared to be coming from between the engine and transmission. They acknowledged that the power steering fluid was low (about 1/4" below the "low" line on the reservoir), but didn't think it was power steering fluid. They're going to have one of their Viper techs look at it today, and call me with more info.

I will be very surprised if the leak is originating from between the engine and transmission, because that's not at all where the puddles have been. The puddles (and visible fluid on the car) have been up near the driver front wheel area. I'm hoping it's just a problem with a hose or a cooler line. I'm going to be sad if they have to separate the drivetrain.

Are you sure it's not the transmission cooler line? Cooler lines will run up to the radiator and back.

 

[SRT_HC_707]

Just got a call from the dealer. The Viper tech has determined that it's the front pump seal on the transmission that's leaking. They're removing the transmission and replacing the seal today, and expect it to be ready tomorrow. I still don't understand how the fluid was getting up to the driver front of the vehicle (it looked like it was all over the AC compressor, and the hoses, etc.). I found no leaks near the centerline of the vehicle, which I would think a trans leak of any kind would have...

I'm sure the tech is correct. I'm just puzzed as to how it manifested itself in a leak near the driver front of the vehicle. I'll report back tomorrow when I get the car back... I hope this fixes it!

Also, I've received no explanation as to why the power steering fluid was low. I don't know if it was not filled properly at the factory, or if there is truly a leak in the power steering system as well (that has not yet been detected by the tech).

Hopefully the diagnosis is correct and they fix the first time.

I've had leaks on other cars that have spread all over the place due to the airflow under the car. Usually they seem to spread rearward but who knows.

Good luck! I hope they nailed it for you.

 

[SRT_HC_707]

Not for me all dealers in my area and srt calling around find me a dealer they all said busy and when I went in person he said u buy car here (no) I can't help you be safe bro literally word for word bay ridge chrysler suck my xxxx

Call Dodge and complain that the dealer is refusing to service your car. How ridiculous.

 

[SRT_HC_707]

I am 100% sure that the puddles in my garage are near the driver side front of the vehicle. But note that the puddle location does not apparently correspond to the source of the leak.

Especially when you have bell pans like these cars. Could leak in one place, hit the pan, travel to the low spot and then hit the ground. Leak over here and puddle over there!