Red Fluid Mystery
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 38
Likes: 5
Red Fluid Mystery
Hello everyone again! I've got what I hope is a quick simple question. I have a 69' with a manual transmission, L46 engine. After taking it out a couple miles tonight there was a good amount of red fluid dripping from the car. It collecting on the fan shroud and then dripping down and also dripping off the center of the stabilizer bar.
I did just change out the power steering pulley as it was loose and not fitting correctly anymore. Is the power steering fluid red? Is there something in the area of that pulley that I could of worked loose that uses red fluid?
Thank you everyone for the great help - it sure makes owning one of these classic even better!
Don
I did just change out the power steering pulley as it was loose and not fitting correctly anymore. Is the power steering fluid red? Is there something in the area of that pulley that I could of worked loose that uses red fluid?
Thank you everyone for the great help - it sure makes owning one of these classic even better!
Don
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Power steering fluid is NOT red. But, lots of folks put Dexron (auto tranny fluid) in the power steering pump. It won't hurt it and it works the same...but it does cause red fluid drips when it leaks. 
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Better than what?
I dont remember where this came from but 'RED is supposed for the transmission
'CLEAR or no color was for power steering
'BROWN or tints of that was for the engine.....
apparently the color was used to identify the source of the oil stain on the drive or garage floor........
..
I dont remember where this came from but 'RED is supposed for the transmission
'CLEAR or no color was for power steering
'BROWN or tints of that was for the engine.....
apparently the color was used to identify the source of the oil stain on the drive or garage floor........
..
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Pro
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 691
Likes: 25
From: Boynton Beach Florida
I sure hope someone didn't rig up some kinda cooler lines and put ATF in his Manual trans
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
as for the ATF in manual trannies....I am told that new manual trannies use it, from years ago, so in my Muncie '72 I added a conservative oil change using 30W synthetic engine oil....
the gear changes were wonderful after that change...
not a doubt in my mind that ATF would have worked also....
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 314
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
However, some gear oils are red. After having my M-21 rebuilt and resealed, I was told to use Lubrication Engineers Duolec...and it is almost a purplish red. Very high quality stuff, used in big time construction equipment worth millions of dollars. I still find a little drip hanging on the bottom of the tranny...sorta like a runny nose. Oh well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
Suppose you could just dip your're finger in the power steering pump for starters. While true, many put auto tranny fluid in there, I wouldn't and get that crap out. Auto tranny fluid's actually gritty for better clutch plate grip. Not what you're wanting here, and best sticking with spec fluid for the application.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
There is no 'grit' in ATF. The frictional qualities required are achieved with graphite impregnated clutch plate facing working against steel [reaction] plate surfaces...and oil between them. Where did the idea of 'grit' in ATF come from????
P.S. 'Gritty' ATF wouldn't work so well with precision bushings, thrust washers, and roller/needle bearings.
P.S. 'Gritty' ATF wouldn't work so well with precision bushings, thrust washers, and roller/needle bearings.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 20
From: The only Corvettes in Highett Victoria
Hello everyone again! I've got what I hope is a quick simple question. I have a 69' with a manual transmission, L46 engine. After taking it out a couple miles tonight there was a good amount of red fluid dripping from the car. It collecting on the fan shroud and then dripping down and also dripping off the center of the stabilizer bar.
I did just change out the power steering pulley as it was loose and not fitting correctly anymore. Is the power steering fluid red? Is there something in the area of that pulley that I could of worked loose that uses red fluid?
Don
I did just change out the power steering pulley as it was loose and not fitting correctly anymore. Is the power steering fluid red? Is there something in the area of that pulley that I could of worked loose that uses red fluid?
Don
As others have said, do not use ATF in your power steering system, use only PSF. Doesn't matter if GM/AC or Amsoil, or eveb Ford PSF, just don't use ATF.
Wrap a bit of white rag or paper around a finger and dip it in the PS pump reservoir. If the colour is red, you know what to do. However, IF this is the liquid that is leaking, I'm wondering how it got onto the fan shroud. The only thing that I can think of is that it is squirting out the front of the pump, where you tightened that pulley.
I don't know if the design of the pump will allow that to happen. The other alternative is the coolant. I normally use a green coolant 50/50 with water, but my white '74 that I purchased from Solid LT1 last year had a red coloured coolant. Could that be the culprit?
Keep us posted.
Regards from Down Under.
aussiejohn
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 38
Likes: 5
Ok, after letting the engine cool off over night, I stuck my finger in the power steering reservoir, what was left was red, so mystery solved!
After getting the car up on the ramps it looks like both pressure and return lines were leaking. Apparently after loosening the power steering pump and then putting the belt back on and getting things tightened up again, I moved the lines just enough to crack the rubber on one line and loosen a fitting on the other to start leaks everywhere!
I just ordered a complete new set of power steering lines, I also got the clear power steering fluid from the auto store. So hopefully after this weekend I won't have a puddle of red (or clear) fluid on the garage floor anymore.
Thank you everyone again!
Don
After getting the car up on the ramps it looks like both pressure and return lines were leaking. Apparently after loosening the power steering pump and then putting the belt back on and getting things tightened up again, I moved the lines just enough to crack the rubber on one line and loosen a fitting on the other to start leaks everywhere!
I just ordered a complete new set of power steering lines, I also got the clear power steering fluid from the auto store. So hopefully after this weekend I won't have a puddle of red (or clear) fluid on the garage floor anymore.
Thank you everyone again!
Don
