Baffled by mystery leak. Need help.

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Apr 17, 2006 | 10:10 AM

own2vettes

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Melting Slicks

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Baffled by mystery leak. Need help.

Yesterday morning, I went into the garage and noticed several decent sized puddles of fluid under the 75 convertible. One puddle was located under the tranny pan, the second under the area of the left front control arm. The fluid was brown so it was not tranny fluid (which is red). The engine oil was full. No leaks noted from the oil pan or tranny area. The power steering pump was low so I'm guessing its power steering fluid. Here's the kicker. I topped off the power steering pump and the turned the car on. I had my son crank the wheel left and right but no leak in sight!!! I also suspected a possible brake line leak but all the lines appeared intact and dry. No leaking noted with depression of brake pedal. I then drove the car around and parked it back in the garage. Let it sit overnight. Came out this morning and the floor is still dry as a bone. Any suggestions?

Apr 17, 2006 | 10:33 AM

SIXFOOTER

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 9,192

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From: Boca Raton Florida

Hmmm, mystery puddles..

Dog, cat?

So all the brake lines are dry? Any idea on what the fluids were? Smell?

Apr 17, 2006 | 10:48 AM

MsVetteMan

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jan 2005

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From: Madison Ms

Probably the power steering. Mine will leak, then not leak, then leak. I can't figure out where it's coming from because it won't do it when you turn the steering wheel, but will just leak out very slowly when car is sitting. Try some P.S. stop leak!!

Apr 17, 2006 | 12:17 PM

own2vettes

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Melting Slicks

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I suspect that it is the power steering system. It was the only thing low when I checked the fluids. I refilled with Prestone stop leak power steering fluid. We'll see what happens.

Apr 17, 2006 | 12:45 PM

mensch53

Racer

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 344

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From: Washington DC

my power steering was leaking to the point where i had to check and refill every couple of days. then it stopped leaking. didnt do anything, but it hold fluid now.

Apr 17, 2006 | 01:03 PM

rihwoods

Race Director

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 16,100

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I'd get it up on ramps or something..you should be able to trace the leak back to source...then wipe everything clean and check after driving..my power steering leaks always showed up the next morning..think leaks slow or stop when system gets hot and seals swell up...
Rich

Apr 17, 2006 | 01:44 PM

PRNDL

Team Owner

Joined: Jul 1999

Posts: 26,545

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From: Huntersville NC

My p/s was leaking a lot until i finally stopped overfilling it. Now it doesn't leak at all!

Apr 17, 2006 | 02:29 PM

own2vettes

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Oct 2005

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This car needs a new steering assembly at some point. The car steers fine but it has that C3 wobble/ play in the wheel that is inherent to cars this old. I would love to replace it with a Steeroids setup in the near future but that is on the bottom of the lists of priorities. Heck, I'd spend the money on a set of headers for my C6 first!