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Orange puddle. NO!

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Old Jul 23, 2009 | 11:16 AM
  #1  
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Default Orange puddle. NO!

Just noticed a small puddle of light orange liquid on the garage floor.
It would be under the area of the engine not the radiator.
Any thoughts on what this means.

btw 86 92K miles
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Old Jul 23, 2009 | 11:20 AM
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Sounds like a Dex-cool leak from somewhere to me.
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Old Jul 23, 2009 | 11:27 AM
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Is is oily or watery?
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Old Jul 23, 2009 | 11:31 AM
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The water pump has a small "weep hole" located under the area where the shaft from the pulley enters the pump.

You'll have to get a small make-up mirror to fit under there to inspect.

The weep hole is designed to warn you prior to your water pump failing.

This week it is the small puddle....maybe small for three weeks and it could be inconsistent.

Then one day the river will be under there.......That is the day you need to park it until the pump gets swapped.

Your '86 is not like the '84...the '84 had everything attached to the four studs that holds the water pump in place. The '86 has a lot of things there...but not as bad as the '84....it took me 2 days to swap mine.

Don't make the mistake of ignoring the timing chain cover while you are there.
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Old Jul 23, 2009 | 11:34 AM
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Default Oily

It's oily

Thanks to all who respond!
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Old Jul 23, 2009 | 11:43 AM
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^^light oil?? coolant feels like a real light oil.....
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Old Jul 23, 2009 | 11:54 AM
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Default Heavier than coolant

It's heavier than coolant - Jham
I just did a side by side feel test
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Old Jul 23, 2009 | 11:56 AM
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Orange or red? Look inyour coolant reservoir and see what color your coolant is. If it's not orange (Dex) then you've got either steering or trans fluid leaking.
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Old Jul 23, 2009 | 12:05 PM
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Orange and oily? Could it be trans fluid? Hope not.
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Old Jul 23, 2009 | 12:17 PM
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Default Looks like tranny fluid

Looks like tranny fluid, but the levels are in the ok range.

Am I lookin at big $$$$$?
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Old Jul 23, 2009 | 12:37 PM
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Sure it's not power steering fluid?
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Old Jul 23, 2009 | 12:40 PM
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You won't know until you truly determine just what is leaking. If it's tranny, it could be as simple as the pan or coolant lines.

I'd raise the car and look around closely. Wipe all traces of fluids anywhere and then revisit the engine later; preferrably after running her and cycling the gears and steering (NOT while up on jacks!). Note where you're seeing the puddle(s) in relationship to the engine/drivetrain.
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Old Jul 23, 2009 | 01:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Xopher86
It's heavier than coolant - Jham
I just did a side by side feel test
Right Arm....good man

Originally Posted by runner140*
Orange and oily? Could it be trans fluid? Hope not.
The "orange" thing throws me off.

Could be the cooling lines running to the radiator sprung a leak. but "orange"???
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Old Jul 23, 2009 | 01:45 PM
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Default to the shop it goes

I'll post an update when the problem is fixed
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Old Jul 23, 2009 | 01:52 PM
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Originally Posted by jimg's'93
You won't know until you truly determine just what is leaking. If it's tranny, it could be as simple as the pan or coolant lines.

I'd raise the car and look around closely. Wipe all traces of fluids anywhere and then revisit the engine later; preferrably after running her and cycling the gears and steering (NOT while up on jacks!). Note where you're seeing the puddle(s) in relationship to the engine/drivetrain.
Get a 5 X 7 card and put a drop of coolant, p/s fluid, oil, tranny fluid and you'll know what it is...OR get under the car and find out.
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Old Jul 23, 2009 | 06:41 PM
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Originally Posted by onedef92
Sounds like a Dex-cool leak from somewhere to me.
"Dex-Cool, a coolant it first introduced in its vehicles in 1995"

Not Dex-Cool unless someone changed it over.
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Old Jul 23, 2009 | 08:22 PM
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I'm thinking its something full of rust, thats the only orange thing on an early C4
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Old Jul 23, 2009 | 10:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Demonic85
I'm thinking its something full of rust, thats the only orange thing on an early C4
40% of males have some degree of color blindness...Sorry I just remember reading this somewhere.......WW
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Old Jul 24, 2009 | 10:14 AM
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Originally Posted by Blue 92
"Dex-Cool, a coolant it first introduced in its vehicles in 1995"

Not Dex-Cool unless someone changed it over.
That's what I think someone did.
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Old Jul 24, 2009 | 11:03 AM
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Default Don't mean to mislead

on the hue.

The color is reddish orange or maybe orangish red
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