nicks1999C5

Hello fellow corvette owners, I recently purchased a 1999 manual transmission corvette with 100k miles, I drove it for about 15 miles earlier and parked it. I come outside about 10 minutes later and see what seems like a lot of fluid leaking out of the rear passenger side

It’s 115 degrees outside
of the car, it seems clearish and kind of thin but I’m not too sure what exactly it is, could be transmission or differential fluid, I don’t have time to jack it up today and diagnose the source but I just wanted to make a post and see any similar stories and how you resolved it.

Stingroo

Trans fluid isn't clear, and gear oil isn't thin.

Clear fluid in that region, I would be thinking brake fluid most likely, but really anything is just a SWAG without looking under there yourself and inspecting for leaks.


Hope it's quick and painless.

Mikado463

Pass side diff seal perhaps. the fact that the leak is on concrete can have a color change

Fiberbundle

Are you sure it isn’t just from the AC unit? Where you live I am sure that AC is pulling a lot of moisture out of the air in 15 miles.
A better picture will help.

nicks1999C5

A lot of it has dried up already and it seems to have stopped leaking so much

~Josh

I’m going with A/C condensation drooled and is evaporating away.

feeder82

Any type of oil or antifreeze leak would NOT dry up and go away. It's your a/c drain

nicks1999C5

Thank you guys for all the responses I’m feeling much better about it now, this is my first manual car and I intend on keeping it pristine as it is also my dream car. Love this forum already!

1911tex

Looks to me like water in the exhaust system due to a lot of very short runs creating a build up of exhaust condensation.....if a lot water has accumulated, a 15 mile hop will not evaporate an abundance of condensation. You can observe other cars with water coming dripping out their tail pipes .....caused by the same problem...lots of short drives, not enough to evaporate the build up. To test if its water, stick your finger in the drip and taste it...water is water. If this is hopefully your problem, drive it like you stole it on the highway...it may take many miles to evaporate a lot of moisture buildup.

rwcantrell

You can also used a white paper towel or napkin to soak up a bit of it and see what color a leak is. Then check it between your fingers for slipperiness, and give it a sniff too.

billschroeder5842

Taste it. Yes, lightly dip the tip of your finger in the fluid, taste it and spit it out. If it taste like water you have condensation (most likely in summer heat) or if it taste like oily then you probably have a diff leak. Brake fluid is "sour" to me.

Go old school.

grinder11

I sure wouldn't taste it!! Put it between your index finger and thumb, and gently rub for several seconds. If it evaporates, it's water. If it's slippery, and won't dry up, it's probably oil, or some sort of petroleum....

Fiberbundle

Grinder11 you are 100% right on! Taste!!! That is one way NOT to distinguish what fluid is on the ground.

Supercharged111

3:25 for the punchline.

I'd just give it a whiff myself. If it reeks it's gear oil. If it disappears overnight it's condensation.