Stupid Fluid Question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,705
Likes: 30
From: Chesapeake Beach Maryland
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
Stupid Fluid Question
I know this sounds like a bonehead question, but I'm gonna ask anyway.
I have a leak in front of the engine that is definitely NOT motor oil. I suspect power steering fluid or coolant, because is a light yellow to green tint and slighlty oily, but very watery when I wipe it up with a paper towel. I am leaning towards coolant since my resevoir was very low and the car ran up to 230 degrees the last time I drove it. However, I figured that the coolant would be darker green than what I am wiping up off the ground.
What is the best way to tell the difference here just by looking at the fluid leaked? I have not had the time or inclination to clean up the mess and find the leak yet. I have a new Water Pump and MSD Opti sitting in a box waiting to install so I'm not too concerned about a water pump leak at this point. I just want to be sure what I'm tearing down first.
Thanks
I have a leak in front of the engine that is definitely NOT motor oil. I suspect power steering fluid or coolant, because is a light yellow to green tint and slighlty oily, but very watery when I wipe it up with a paper towel. I am leaning towards coolant since my resevoir was very low and the car ran up to 230 degrees the last time I drove it. However, I figured that the coolant would be darker green than what I am wiping up off the ground.
What is the best way to tell the difference here just by looking at the fluid leaked? I have not had the time or inclination to clean up the mess and find the leak yet. I have a new Water Pump and MSD Opti sitting in a box waiting to install so I'm not too concerned about a water pump leak at this point. I just want to be sure what I'm tearing down first.
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
PS fluid will definitely have a oil-like feel to it. Some PS fluids are clear, some reddish, some a golden color but they all feel oily sort of like ATF which has a similar viscocity.
Depending on the coolant mix and the type of coolant in the system, colors can range from yellow to a very light green (assuming your coolant is ethlyne glycol and not DexCool). A 50-50 mix of green coolant and water will be sort of an apple green color.
Does a paper towel quickly soak up the fluid on the floor much the same way that it would soak up water? If so, it is most likely coolant.
Depending on the coolant mix and the type of coolant in the system, colors can range from yellow to a very light green (assuming your coolant is ethlyne glycol and not DexCool). A 50-50 mix of green coolant and water will be sort of an apple green color.
Does a paper towel quickly soak up the fluid on the floor much the same way that it would soak up water? If so, it is most likely coolant.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 666
Likes: 0
From: Walton KY
Try the towel trick. Try smelling it. And at worst...yes AT WORST...Do the dentist trick....touch your tip of your tongue to it and spit and rinse and spit and rinse again. Sweet? anti freeze. Bitter? brake fluid/trans fluid. I own oil change shops....fluids drip on your face all the time and sometimes you just cannot help a little fluid touching your tongue. I know, its gross, but thats life.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,705
Likes: 30
From: Chesapeake Beach Maryland
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,705
Likes: 30
From: Chesapeake Beach Maryland
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
I'm sure it's the water pump now! The resevoir up top is empty again and I checked the cardboard under my car I use to absorb the leak, and it is definitely not oil based like power steering fluid would be. It has soaked into the cardboard like water would. I also noticed it is easy to wash off the concrete wheras PS fluid might be more difficult.
Now I just have to get enough room in my one car garage to get around the car to remove and replace the pump, opti and intake gaskets. Oh boy. It will still have to wait a few weeks since I'm off to Lake Tahoe in two weeks to ride in the 100 mile bike ride out there!!!
Thanks for the tips
Now I just have to get enough room in my one car garage to get around the car to remove and replace the pump, opti and intake gaskets. Oh boy. It will still have to wait a few weeks since I'm off to Lake Tahoe in two weeks to ride in the 100 mile bike ride out there!!!
Thanks for the tips
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 666
Likes: 0
From: Walton KY
I'm sure it's the water pump now! The resevoir up top is empty again and I checked the cardboard under my car I use to absorb the leak, and it is definitely not oil based like power steering fluid would be. It has soaked into the cardboard like water would. I also noticed it is easy to wash off the concrete wheras PS fluid might be more difficult.
Thanks for the tips
Thanks for the tips
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