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The pictures attached are from the rear of the car and the fluid is purpleish, but very watery. Doesn’t have a smell that I can tell and its dripping on both sides.
The C5 manual transmission uses Dexron. If your fluid is purple, your transmission may be filled with Royal Purple Synchromax. This fluid was popular a while back, but I don't hear much about it these days. Most folks seem to run either Dexron or AMSOIL.
The C5 manual transmission uses Dexron. If your fluid is purple, your transmission may be filled with Royal Purple Synchromax. This fluid was popular a while back, but I don't hear much about it these days. Most folks seem to run either Dexron or AMSOIL.
Is that where it’d be leaking…both sides of the car?
Is that where it’d be leaking…both sides of the car?
The only thing in the back of the car that could potentially leak, apart from your brake calipers, shocks, or fuel tank are the transmission and the differential. If it were the calipers, or the shocks, this would be easily seen and identified. Gasoline has a very distinctive smell, so I expect that you would recognize that. The differential contains a very viscous gear oil that has a characteristically foul smell. The transmission contains a very light weight oil that is typically dyed red, or purple. There just aren't that many "usual suspects" located in that area.
Honestly looks like condensation coming out of your exhaust, it's right at the clamps on both sides...unless it feels more oily than watery....I'd count it as condensation. Normal and not an issue.
Just to be sure, run your hand all the way around the exhaust pipes on both sides around that area. If something truly is leaking oil/fluid, it will be running down the pipes from somewhere else. If you ONLY have those drips on both pipes, it's condensation from the exhaust.
My vote is condensation from the exhaust. It's right along the clamp, those joints aren't water tight.
I would normally agree but the fluid seems to be "staining" the sway bar and I don't think water would do that. The thing about leaks is it's easy to see where the drip is but harder to find the source..........
I’ve managed to come down with the flu or something. So, here in a day or two hopefully I can get the car lifted and see if I can get a closer look up under there.
I also think it is condensation from the exhaust and it is not just “pure” water that you see but water contaminated with exhaust gases. Are you taking the car out for nice long runs or just starting it up and letting it run for 10 minutes every now and then. Exhaust pipes really need a long run to heat up properly to eliminate that condensation.
I would normally agree but the fluid seems to be "staining" the sway bar and I don't think water would do that. The thing about leaks is it's easy to see where the drip is but harder to find the source..........
The inside of your exhaust pipe isn't sparkling clean, it's condensation water mixing with engine fart residue 👍
The inside of your exhaust pipe isn't sparkling clean, it's condensation water mixing with engine fart residue 👍
Yup, agree 100%. Condensation, more than most may think, is the main reason 4 cylinder Japanese motorcycles (the ubiquitous UJM) stopped being equipped with 4 separate mufflers. The Honda CB 750 and Kaw 900 both would rust out their mufflers from the inside out in 2 years, depending on usage. My Kaw mufflers lasted all of 2 years!! Condensation contains caustic chemicals, unburned fuel, acid, etc.
Last edited by grinder11; Feb 10, 2024 at 03:16 PM.
There is no question that a joint between any two exhaust pipes is a prime location for a bit of condensation to escape. Thus far, however, I have never seen purple condensation from my Z06, or any other car for that matter.
Perhaps the OP should revisit this issue by putting some paper, or cardboard under the car to reevaluate the color of the mystery fluid that is leaking from the car and whether, or not this fluid eventually evaporates as condensation surely would?
The only thing back there is fuel, tranny oil, or diff fluid. I fail to see how it could be tranny or diff fluid. The leaves you with fuel. Does it smell like gas? If not, then it must be exhaust condensation.
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