Front leaks
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 1
From: Henderson Nevada
Front leaks
What kind of leaks are prone on the front of the car? I know differential and trans are in rear. I spotted a small spot on the front left side (driver side) underneath when I move the car. My friend checked it out and said possible steering fluid? Coolant tank is full so that couldn't be it.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 1
From: Henderson Nevada
Thanks for the info. It's kind of reddish, slimy fluid. At first, I thought it maybe ATF or DIF, then power steering, but now I think it may be the water pump. She has been running hot lately. 195-200 on highway and 230+ on stop and go. Do have a lower stat installed and have never seen these temps before.
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
Racer
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 268
Likes: 6
From: Barstow Ca
If it's the left front its probably the radiator. If the rad is stock the plastic ends crack. Mine is like this now and I'm waiting on a new dewitts radiator to come in. I at first thought it was the hose but on closer inspection the top is cracked and seeping. Just keep that in mind it might not be the water pump.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 59
Likes: 2
From: Sandy Utah
I would not discount a coolant leak just because the surge tank looks full. A coolant leak that resulted in the level being noticeably down would have to be sizeable or going on for a long time. A water pump weep would be my first guess. Coolant or any other fluid leaks seldom drip straight down to the ground from the source of the leak. They typicallt fall onto a motor or accessory part, frame or suspension and travel for often some distance before they make a path to the ground. Suggest you find some way to get the car up in the air to be able to get under it and carefully inspect. If it were my car i would look carefully at the area under the water pump to start with.
Sometimes you can get a clue to what is leaking by carefully looking at the color of what makes it to the ground. For example the coolant is usually DexCool and that has a redish orange color.
Sometimes you can get a clue to what is leaking by carefully looking at the color of what makes it to the ground. For example the coolant is usually DexCool and that has a redish orange color.
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Advanced
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 69
Likes: 1
From: Spring Hill Florida
I have a leak that I know is power steering. power steering fluid level keeps running low. It's not coolant. I had that leak already and changed my water pump. That problem solved.
But I can't pinpoint where this power steering leak is. Any ideas that can help me would be appreciated.
But I can't pinpoint where this power steering leak is. Any ideas that can help me would be appreciated.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 69
Likes: 1
From: Spring Hill Florida
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
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From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
There is UV dye available for your engine oil and cooling system at any parts store. (different stuff for each of course). You can get that and then use a UV light to find the leaks easily.
At the rear of the windshield washer tank on the side, there is a rubber seal into which the low washer fluid sensor is pressed. That isn't a real tight fit and any wrenching around in that area will knock it loose. You might check that the sensor is seated fully. When I clean the drain utters on mine I almost always knock it loose. Just a touch does it.
At the rear of the windshield washer tank on the side, there is a rubber seal into which the low washer fluid sensor is pressed. That isn't a real tight fit and any wrenching around in that area will knock it loose. You might check that the sensor is seated fully. When I clean the drain utters on mine I almost always knock it loose. Just a touch does it.
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 336
Likes: 4
From: Hempstead Texas
Mirror
If you take a small telescoping mirror and hold it behind the water pump pulley and shine a flashlight behind the pulley you can see if the water pump is weeping.
oops sorry just read where you have ruled out the coolant.
oops sorry just read where you have ruled out the coolant.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 69
Likes: 1
From: Spring Hill Florida
There is UV dye available for your engine oil and cooling system at any parts store. (different stuff for each of course). You can get that and then use a UV light to find the leaks easily.
At the rear of the windshield washer tank on the side, there is a rubber seal into which the low washer fluid sensor is pressed. That isn't a real tight fit and any wrenching around in that area will knock it loose. You might check that the sensor is seated fully. When I clean the drain utters on mine I almost always knock it loose. Just a touch does it.
At the rear of the windshield washer tank on the side, there is a rubber seal into which the low washer fluid sensor is pressed. That isn't a real tight fit and any wrenching around in that area will knock it loose. You might check that the sensor is seated fully. When I clean the drain utters on mine I almost always knock it loose. Just a touch does it.
Thank you for the suggestion.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 69
Likes: 1
From: Spring Hill Florida
The leak seems to be more on the drivers side under the P.S. resevoir.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Yorktown Virginia
Well if your power steering is running low then you have a leak in the system somewhere. The two biggest problem areas are your high pressure line and the rack itself, I would start with cleaning up the mess with a good degrees-er such as simple green, I use purple power but that can etch paint so simple green is a safer choice. I would also pull the plastic loom off of the high pressure line so you can see if it is seeping out. If you dont clean up the mess thats down there already then its going to be very hard to pinpoint where it is coming from as it just gets everywhere, I made the mistake of just jumping to conclusions and ended up replacing the rack before finding out it was just a 15$ hose.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 69
Likes: 1
From: Spring Hill Florida
Well if your power steering is running low then you have a leak in the system somewhere. The two biggest problem areas are your high pressure line and the rack itself, I would start with cleaning up the mess with a good degrees-er such as simple green, I use purple power but that can etch paint so simple green is a safer choice. I would also pull the plastic loom off of the high pressure line so you can see if it is seeping out. If you dont clean up the mess thats down there already then its going to be very hard to pinpoint where it is coming from as it just gets everywhere, I made the mistake of just jumping to conclusions and ended up replacing the rack before finding out it was just a 15$ hose.
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Did you ever pinpoint the leak in the power steering line. I have a 2001 corvette and in the past year it has developed a leak in the power steering system. I have examined the car and it is difficult to see the source of the leak. Your experience may be helpful.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 69
Likes: 1
From: Spring Hill Florida
In my case I followed directions and cleaned the area with a de-greaser. I discovered my leak to be in the High Pressure hose. The hose was not expensive but the repair was a little difficult and took me over an hour. But replacing the hose did resolve the problem. No more leak.