Lincoln/Mercury Repair: 1999 MERC COUGAR TRANS, cd4e, ashphalt

Question
Dinger Thank you so much !!
even the transmission dipstick is weird and Im not sure
how full the trans is but im quite sure it is the trans leaking as i see the spots on the BLACK ASHPHALT so its hard to tell the color but the OIL is quite clean and full
yes I drive that car 70 miles a day so nothing settles too long and I have always changed oil every 3,000 miles
so I will take your advice and deal with whatever comes along and yes it has cost me $3000.80 so far but other wise the car is running very nice.........THANK YOU FOR TAKING YOUR TIME TO ANSWER MY ORIGINAL QUESTION ON THIS TRANS PROBLEM
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-----Question-----
Dinger,  as you know the 1999 merc cougar trans for the 4 cyl engine is garbage.........it's been repaired twice without any warranty and now it appears to be leaking fluid......one mech said it was the transmission pan, another said it was the rear engine seal, and yet another said this engine does not have a rear seal nor does it have any transmission pan

What gives????????   

p.s. this seems to be THE WEBSITE TO GO TO FOR THE STRAIGHT STUFF.........THANKS TO ALL INVOLVED
-----Answer-----
Hi Alvin,

The transmission in this car is the Mazda CD4E. They are any worse than any other, more expensive to repair then some, but by no means the worst and it does have a pan that can leak, but it is on the side and referred to as a side cover. The filter is internal and can not be changed without removing the transmission and taking it apart.  First, what color is leaking, transmission fluid is supposed to be red, but check the dipstick to the transmission to be sure. If there is damage inside the transmission, it can turn dark. Engine oil should be amber, though if it's been awhile since your last oil change, it could be black. A sure way to know is to check all your fluid levels and see which one is low!?!? The engine, like every engine on the face of the planet, does have a rear main seal. So I wouldn't take it to that guy that told you it didn't... and warn your friends! LOL

Answer
Hi Alvin,

It's guys like you that make this all worth it. Sorry it is costing you so much. Thank you for the great rating.

Happy Holidays!

Oh, you get a funnel and fill it through the dip stick tube. Holds a total of 10 quarts, but don't put that much in! LOL One quart at a time and check after each one. It's ok to be a little over. Check it warm, running.