Gear slips out no power kicks back in seconds later

[mitchv]

Well on a small road trip to detroit 45 minutes from me I was traveling on the highway in 5th at around 3000rpms at 70mph I accelrated heavily to pass a semi and then it felt like the gear slipped out I lost all power and the gas pedal became un responsive. The light that is directly above the check engine light came up. this lasted for maybe 10 seconds. i shifted back into neutral on the actual shift knob and when the light went off I went back into 5th and then it was fine. i pulled over and noticed transmission oil leaking .
I think it might be comming from a drive axle seal. Does this seem like something that would cause what I was explaining?

[elsolo]

You'll have to pull the codes to see what the computer decided was wrong.

Unlikely that the leak is directly related, but until you pull the codes....

[mitchv]

Alright will do found its a transmissions leak and that it seems to be leaking inside the trans and is dripping down and comming out the very bottom of the transmission

[mikebontoft]

I'm sure its a manual but I just have to confirm... manual right?

check the level for one thing.

[mitchv]

just a little update:
Yes it is a manual. Today we tried tightening up all of the transmission bolts that could of possibly came loose and caused the leak. toped off the transmission fluid witch im not sure is the actual fluid thats leaking, checked all the other fluids, Engine oil, and break fluid and all of them are topped off, So while tightening the transmission bolts I bumped into the thermostat housing and it started leaking coolant. I replaced it and put a new thermostat in and toped off the antifreeze ran it and it ran fine. i even put Lucas transmission leak stopper or what ever it is called into the transmission and it ran fine shifted fine and the temperature gauge on the cluster stayed right at normal operating temperature (about halfway up) so I thought alright all is good just have to sort out the leak and right as im about to pull into my neighbor hood the damn light came on and i lost all power. it is the same feeling as not giving it enough gas when going into first gear yet this will hapen inbetween any gears and even while im in gear going down the road at 2000 rpms. I looked in the owners manual as to what the light is called and couldnt find a name just a description it says: Multi-function : automatic transaxle/cooling system (on SPI, Zetec E or automatic transaxle vehicles only): this light comes on everytime this issue occurs. One thing I have noticed how ever is that my engines cooling fans seem to not be comming on and only come on when i turn the A.C. on and now my temperature gauge on the dash cluster seems to be staying a lower temperature than normal, even after highway driving in a hot summers day roughly around 80 degrees out

Also my car is a 2003 2.0 liter DOHC zetec manual with the MTX-75 trans

[mitchv]

update: sat and let the car idle the fan did kick on and the cooling system seems to be working fine. i went to autozone and did a diagnostics check and the only thing that came back was P0420 code witch could be a clogged cat converter which i doubt because the car is running absolutely fine no loss of power untill the light above the check engine light kicks on but it goes off right away so there is no way i can get a code for it. is there any chance that it is just a bad sensor? I believe the leak I was having was a rear main seal but I used some lucas rear main seal leak stopper additive and it stoped it

[coreykoch]

ive been dealing with this same problem for 2 months now and still havent had any luck.. i would list all the repairs ive done to try and solve the SAME exact problem you're having with your focus but mine is a 2001 focus zts dohc with a manual trans. one thing ive noticed is that we are both having small transmission leaks which is strange but im certain mine is coming from the cv axle seal which i have already replaced a few months ago.. after reading this i think im going to start replace the whole axle rather than just the cv joints bc its a lot more cost efficient. btw what you're focus is doing is going into a safe mode that usually happens when the engine over heats and cuts the power down to 2 cylinders to cool itself down. mine happens for the same reason yours does (usually when i accelerate to change lanes or push it anything over half throttle). im going to start on my axle tom morning. i highly doubt we are both having this problem and just both happen to have transmission leaks from the same place. not a coincidence.. i will keep you updated though i hope u do the same!

[mitchv]

Originally Posted by coreykoch

ive been dealing with this same problem for 2 months now and still havent had any luck.. i would list all the repairs ive done to try and solve the SAME exact problem you're having with your focus but mine is a 2001 focus zts dohc with a manual trans. one thing ive noticed is that we are both having small transmission leaks which is strange but im certain mine is coming from the cv axle seal which i have already replaced a few months ago.. after reading this i think im going to start replace the whole axle rather than just the cv joints bc its a lot more cost efficient. btw what you're focus is doing is going into a safe mode that usually happens when the engine over heats and cuts the power down to 2 cylinders to cool itself down. mine happens for the same reason yours does (usually when i accelerate to change lanes or push it anything over half throttle). im going to start on my axle tom morning. i highly doubt we are both having this problem and just both happen to have transmission leaks from the same place. not a coincidence.. i will keep you updated though i hope u do the same!

It ended up being air in the thermostat lines I got rid of it by putting the anti freeze containers lid on very loose but still tight enough that it wouldnt come off than I drove for about 200+ miles and the level on it dropped way down from the air leaking out filled it back up to the full mark and havent had a problem since Im guesing this all occured due to my bad thermostat housing allowing air into the system and then after replacing it that probably added more air but now it hasnt done it to me since knock on wood and I went for an hour and a half drive today through the city and on the highway. To stop my leak I used some of the lucas oil leak stopper it actually works and Im kind of surprised.