shogun
02-17-2005, 11:09 AM
LIGHT BROWN OR BLACK STAINS - MEDIUM CONSISTENCY
Ah, you're thinking, "That's easy ... engine oil!" You're right, we'll start
simple and stay simple -- we're all familiar with this the brown/blackish
color of motor oil. Because of the oil system has many gaskets, lots of heat
(weakens seals and gaskets over time), and lots of pressure, engine oil
tends to be a frequent visitor. While a little oil seepage is not a problem,
any drips should be investigated. Pay particular attention to any lines,
filters, or coolers external to the engine. Replacing an O-ring or pressure
line that is starting to leak is a wise move, as it offers peace of mind.
Engine gaskets that leak need careful assessment -- they are not likely to
fail completely and may be damn difficult to replace in-situ. Note: Did you
add new oil to the engine recently? Sometimes a simple mistake can lead to
oil spills appearing later. Oil leaks that have continued for some time
should lead to the buildup of dirt -- can you see any on your block or sump?
REDDISH, LIGHT BROWN OR BLACK - THINNER OR THICKER CONSISTENCY
Stains, drips or puddles that look similar to engine oil, but are thicker to
touch and located near the center of the car, are usually from the
transmission. While automatic transmissions used to use a reddish fluid
thinner than engine oil, recent units employ a reddish fluid that is
thicker. Note: overfilling the transmission with fluid seems to be a common
source of leaks -- check the temperature/ volume relationship. Actual leaks
are most likely to come from the clutch side shaft seal or the output shaft
seal. Leaks are also possible from the pan gasket. Some engines (M70) have
external coolers with connection lines and these can also leak.
REDDISH OR LIGHT BROWN - THIN CONSISTENCY
Sound like a familiar fluid? It should. If your car is equipped with power
steering, then it has a fluid in the steering system that is either
identical or similar to your car's automatic transmission fluid. Luckily the
power steering system is localized so any leaks should be easy to spot.
CLEAR, SLIGHTLY BROWN AND SLICK - MEDIUM CONSISTENCY
This is that critical fluid for your brake hydraulic system. When brake
fluid is new, it is usually either clear (like mineral oil) or tinted
slightly brown. But after time and with the accumulation of dust, rust
particles and other contaminants, it can turn entirely brown. What you need
to remember is that brake fluid is characteristically slippery to the touch
-- more so than engine oil or automatic transmission fluid.
DIFFERENTIAL FLUID - THICK CONSISTENCY
Your car's differential uses a fluid that is similar to the standard
transmission fluid. The key to distinguishing the fluid origin is where is
drips. If it drips from the rear of your car, then the chances are that it
is from the differential.
Since this fluid is not pressurized, leaks indicate that something is
significantly loose.
YELLOW, GREEN PINK AND SLIMY - THIN CONSISTENCY
Here it is: coolant. Slimy to the touch and one of the easiest fluids to
identify, coolants come in a range of bright colors. Older cars simply
dumped the coolant on the road or driveway when the engine got too hot. Of
course, overheating maybe a sign of some other problem. Today's cars have
closed systems that capture and recycle any blow-off. So, if you have a late
model car you shouldn't ever see coolant on your driveway or on your carpet.
If you do, it's a sign of potential trouble (e.g., leaky water pump or
hoses).
CLEAR, SHINY LIQUID - VERY THIN CONSISTENCY ... LIKE WATER?
If you ever come back to your car in your driveway or in a shopping center
parking lot and see a puddle of clear water under the front and on the
passenger side, you don't need to panic. But, if you've been running your
car's air conditioner, then the spot is most likely water that has condensed
on the air conditioning hardware and is harmless. The air conditioner has a
water drain tube to drip this innocuous condensed water out to the road --
and there's no problem. If all fluids were only so innocent!
THE ABOVE IS JUST A START
Ah, you're thinking, "That's easy ... engine oil!" You're right, we'll start
simple and stay simple -- we're all familiar with this the brown/blackish
color of motor oil. Because of the oil system has many gaskets, lots of heat
(weakens seals and gaskets over time), and lots of pressure, engine oil
tends to be a frequent visitor. While a little oil seepage is not a problem,
any drips should be investigated. Pay particular attention to any lines,
filters, or coolers external to the engine. Replacing an O-ring or pressure
line that is starting to leak is a wise move, as it offers peace of mind.
Engine gaskets that leak need careful assessment -- they are not likely to
fail completely and may be damn difficult to replace in-situ. Note: Did you
add new oil to the engine recently? Sometimes a simple mistake can lead to
oil spills appearing later. Oil leaks that have continued for some time
should lead to the buildup of dirt -- can you see any on your block or sump?
REDDISH, LIGHT BROWN OR BLACK - THINNER OR THICKER CONSISTENCY
Stains, drips or puddles that look similar to engine oil, but are thicker to
touch and located near the center of the car, are usually from the
transmission. While automatic transmissions used to use a reddish fluid
thinner than engine oil, recent units employ a reddish fluid that is
thicker. Note: overfilling the transmission with fluid seems to be a common
source of leaks -- check the temperature/ volume relationship. Actual leaks
are most likely to come from the clutch side shaft seal or the output shaft
seal. Leaks are also possible from the pan gasket. Some engines (M70) have
external coolers with connection lines and these can also leak.
REDDISH OR LIGHT BROWN - THIN CONSISTENCY
Sound like a familiar fluid? It should. If your car is equipped with power
steering, then it has a fluid in the steering system that is either
identical or similar to your car's automatic transmission fluid. Luckily the
power steering system is localized so any leaks should be easy to spot.
CLEAR, SLIGHTLY BROWN AND SLICK - MEDIUM CONSISTENCY
This is that critical fluid for your brake hydraulic system. When brake
fluid is new, it is usually either clear (like mineral oil) or tinted
slightly brown. But after time and with the accumulation of dust, rust
particles and other contaminants, it can turn entirely brown. What you need
to remember is that brake fluid is characteristically slippery to the touch
-- more so than engine oil or automatic transmission fluid.
DIFFERENTIAL FLUID - THICK CONSISTENCY
Your car's differential uses a fluid that is similar to the standard
transmission fluid. The key to distinguishing the fluid origin is where is
drips. If it drips from the rear of your car, then the chances are that it
is from the differential.
Since this fluid is not pressurized, leaks indicate that something is
significantly loose.
YELLOW, GREEN PINK AND SLIMY - THIN CONSISTENCY
Here it is: coolant. Slimy to the touch and one of the easiest fluids to
identify, coolants come in a range of bright colors. Older cars simply
dumped the coolant on the road or driveway when the engine got too hot. Of
course, overheating maybe a sign of some other problem. Today's cars have
closed systems that capture and recycle any blow-off. So, if you have a late
model car you shouldn't ever see coolant on your driveway or on your carpet.
If you do, it's a sign of potential trouble (e.g., leaky water pump or
hoses).
CLEAR, SHINY LIQUID - VERY THIN CONSISTENCY ... LIKE WATER?
If you ever come back to your car in your driveway or in a shopping center
parking lot and see a puddle of clear water under the front and on the
passenger side, you don't need to panic. But, if you've been running your
car's air conditioner, then the spot is most likely water that has condensed
on the air conditioning hardware and is harmless. The air conditioner has a
water drain tube to drip this innocuous condensed water out to the road --
and there's no problem. If all fluids were only so innocent!
THE ABOVE IS JUST A START