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[C2] Help: leaking red fluid

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Old Feb 4, 2026 | 04:37 AM
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Default Help: leaking red fluid

I just took delivery of a 66. Red leaking fluid passenger side front between wheel and oil pan. Anyone else that has had this please provide advice on what the fluid could be and possibly where it is leaking from. It is driving me nuts because I just got the car delivered yesterday. No power steering car and manual transmission. Picture for attention



Last edited by Fhluger01; Feb 4, 2026 at 05:05 AM.
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Old Feb 4, 2026 | 04:58 AM
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I'm guessing it's an auto trans
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Old Feb 4, 2026 | 05:04 AM
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It is a manual transmission
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Old Feb 4, 2026 | 05:55 AM
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What type of coolant is in the cooling system
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Old Feb 4, 2026 | 06:23 AM
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Check the fuel pump fittings.
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Old Feb 4, 2026 | 07:05 AM
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A guess is it was lubricated (ball joints, tie rods, etc) with Mobile 1 synthetic chassis grease or a close relative. I tried that stuff for a few years and it was constantly breaking down and leaking a heavy oil all over. Seems like it was red although i may not remember correctly. I stopped using it.

nice car from what i see. Your garage is entirely too sanitary.
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Old Feb 4, 2026 | 07:21 AM
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Transmission might have ATF in it.... Sounds like the leak is in the wrong location for this.. Dans suggestion might be right.. What grease do you use that wont break down ? A problem here in Florida with soft melting grease??
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Old Feb 4, 2026 | 07:47 AM
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P S fluid ? if the car has PS ?
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Old Feb 4, 2026 | 08:03 AM
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Originally Posted by DansYellow66
A guess is it was lubricated (ball joints, tie rods, etc) with Mobile 1 synthetic chassis grease or a close relative. I tried that stuff for a few years and it was constantly breaking down and leaking a heavy oil all over. Seems like it was red although i may not remember correctly. I stopped using it.

nice car from what i see. Your garage is entirely too sanitary.
That would be my guess too. I stopped using Mobil 1 many years ago because of this issue. I had one steering box leak Mobil 1 just sitting in the sun.
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Old Feb 4, 2026 | 08:21 AM
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If you only had a lift so you could get underneath and take a look.....oh wait.....
Also....considering one man's red is another man's brown, I would not be parking the C8 underneath until you have absolute certainty that it is not brake fluid.

Last edited by lucky131969; Feb 4, 2026 at 08:47 AM.
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Old Feb 4, 2026 | 08:32 AM
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Good suggestions so far. Same experience with the red grease.

Time to get under it with a flashlight and start looking around

I would not have a nice leaking car above another nice car............
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Old Feb 4, 2026 | 08:49 AM
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Amsoil signature series motor oil has a reddish tint. Check your dipstick.
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Old Feb 4, 2026 | 08:50 AM
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Just had to have my water pump replaced. The leak was in the general area you described and it had a reddish tone.
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Old Feb 4, 2026 | 09:11 AM
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Since we're all guessing...

If the coolant is Dexcool, it may be overflow out of the Expansion tank if it was overfilled. It appears to be a smallblock based on the side emblem and no BB hood.

BTW. do NOT open your garage door when it's up on the lift. Looks like it'll hit your roof.

Rich
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Old Feb 4, 2026 | 09:42 AM
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Im Going to go with brake fluid leaking. It may be dirty and look a little red to you.
Check the master cylinder and see if its low. Whatever you do, park it on the bottom until you find the problem.
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Old Feb 4, 2026 | 09:44 AM
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Beautiful new toy, to go along with your other toy. My suggestion (no guesses) is to put move your other car out of the way and when the "new" car starts dropping red fluid, use a plumb bob from the drop on the floor up to the car and you'll know exactly where it's coming from...you should find it fairly quickly. Having a life will make this a fairly simple task. Enjoy your new classic...which, by the way, they all leak a little
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