Fluid on garage floor
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 0
From: central florida
Fluid on garage floor
Drove a couple hours yesterday. When I pulled in garage, after car sat for awhile, there was fluid on the ground. Was between the two rear tires in the middle of the car. About the size of a dollar bill folded in half, maybe a little less. Couple more drops on garage floor this morning.
Car is a 99 with very low miles. Fluid was slick but no smell.?
Car is a 99 with very low miles. Fluid was slick but no smell.?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
diff fluid is thick, dark amber color and stinks...
Transmisison fluid is reddish and thin.
There are two prevalent sources for a diff leak...
The drivers side cover is notorious for leaking
The second is the pressure relief valve ...
Transmisison fluid is reddish and thin.
There are two prevalent sources for a diff leak...
The drivers side cover is notorious for leaking
The second is the pressure relief valve ...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,787
Likes: 139
From: center of Kalifornia
I just found the same thing on the floor @ left rear area, amber color. I reached up and it came from the flange where the left shaft is attached. How much is the dealer going to get me for on this?????
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 421
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
I just fixed mine of the same problem. The dealership wanted $300+ but a local speed shop only wanted $150.
The pains of the install are yanking hard enough to get the half shaft out, then finally breaking down and hitting it with a hammer (block of wood between) to get it back in. Reaching the seal to pry it out and then again to tap it back in is a pain. I definately recomend a helper to turn and hold things for this procedure and several bottles of beer. The part is under $20 from the dealership.
The pains of the install are yanking hard enough to get the half shaft out, then finally breaking down and hitting it with a hammer (block of wood between) to get it back in. Reaching the seal to pry it out and then again to tap it back in is a pain. I definately recomend a helper to turn and hold things for this procedure and several bottles of beer. The part is under $20 from the dealership.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 0
From: central florida
Thanks all. It wasn't tranny fluid as I know its red. I guess it was more of an amber to brown color. But really didn't have an odor that I could tell. Guess I'll have to get it in the air. Now I did read something about the potential to leak out the breather after some spirited driving. I was in pretty good spirits yesterday. Check back later. Thanks again.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,909
Likes: 1,858
From: Hot Springs AR
And, just another perspective...
My diff has been leaking ever since I've owned it. I get nothing for a while, then after an autocross, or maybe just a cruise into town, I'll get a spot on the floor. Surprised you can't smell anything; even the synthetics have a pretty strong odor. However, the color you're describing is dead-on for diff fluid.
Anyway, how much time, effort, money, and frustration do you want to expend to have a car that is utterly drip free? Me, I just wipe it up and get on with living.
Seals don't like lack of usage; you might have a seal that stiffened up and cracked.
Myself personally, I'd continue to drive it and see if things change.
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
My diff has been leaking ever since I've owned it. I get nothing for a while, then after an autocross, or maybe just a cruise into town, I'll get a spot on the floor. Surprised you can't smell anything; even the synthetics have a pretty strong odor. However, the color you're describing is dead-on for diff fluid.
Anyway, how much time, effort, money, and frustration do you want to expend to have a car that is utterly drip free? Me, I just wipe it up and get on with living.
...a 99 with very low miles...
Myself personally, I'd continue to drive it and see if things change.
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,370
Likes: 8
From: Slave to the evil empire
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04
Thanks all. It wasn't tranny fluid as I know its red. I guess it was more of an amber to brown color. But really didn't have an odor that I could tell. Guess I'll have to get it in the air. Now I did read something about the potential to leak out the breather after some spirited driving. I was in pretty good spirits yesterday. Check back later. Thanks again.
My car would always have a puddle under it after a night at the drags.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 23,682
Likes: 9
From: Flagstaff Az.
Depending on the dealer, you may get it fixed for nothing. There has been a lot of trouble with the left side diff seals and leaks. I took mine in about a year ago and they fixed it for N/C. Seems it had a sand casting hole in the cover. Do a search here on the forum, there has been a ton of posting about this problem.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 0
From: central florida
Well I just got home and wiped it up with a clean rag and got the smell. It has to be diff. fluid. So I went for a little ride and we'll see if it continues. Honestly when I bought the car with only 13,000 miles, I was concerned about the seals and the non-use. Time will tell.
Thanks to everyone, this forum is great!
Thanks to everyone, this forum is great!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,787
Likes: 139
From: center of Kalifornia
Thanks TIO, I will look into that also. I have about 45k on my 2001 and since Dec owned it. The light dirt around the leak makes me think it didn't happen in one day. I really did not drive it hard Saturday, I went up to Oakhurst, Ca. (near Yosemite). Dick Gulstrand was there and some others for a car event.