9 replies to this topic

[BlackBrick]

a few weeks ago, i found a puddle of fluid about 2 inches in diameter...probably like 2-3 tablespoons worth.

It was right under the middle front of the car, like around the radiator.

It looked just like brake fluid, but there are no brake fluid leaks, and it's a part of the car without any brake fluid lines, right. It was yellow/clear in color, and a very thin consistency. Just like hydraulic fluid. If it were the struts, it would be over on the sides.

So I have ruled out motor oil, coolant, trans fluid, p/s fluid, and strut fluid.

Tell me if this is a dumb question, but do the motor mounts have hydraulic fluid in them??!!

[bergmjs]

Sounds more like coolant than anything. When you dab a finger in it and rub your fingers together do you fingers feel only a little more slippery than just plain water? Brake fluid is extremely slippery and is easy to differentiate from coolant, as is oil including engine and strut.

[BlackBrick]

yes, sounds like coolant then. Luckily i replaced the radiator recently (after the puddle), although I couldn't find the source of the leak. I have had a problem that seems like a bad motor mount, but have replaced the top at the firewall and the front by the pulley with no help.

but that front mount under the radiator, it's called a hydraulic motor mount. Does it actually have hydraulic fluid in it? And wouldn't that feel similar to coolant?

[bergmjs]

Yes, there are 2 hydraulic mounts, one rear, one front. They're rubber cones with metal ends caps filled with fluid. It's pretty easy to get a look at them from under the car to determine if they are blown or not. Also just check the hose connections on the radiators, cheap or incorrectly installed hoses will leak very slowly.

[the commissar!]

^That and the power steering lines do run right through there so it is a possibility...you said above you ruled it out but you didn't say why/how. Granted the rack is where most PS leaks happen but if you were effing around with the PS lines during the radiator repair...worth a closer look if not already done.

[BlackBrick]

I use transmission fluid for the P/S, that's how I ruled it out.

I replaced the radiator as a precaution...a week after that strange puddle, the auto transmission went out on me, although it's been slowly going out over the last year. They found no coolant in the a/t fluid, but I had flushed it before bringing it in. That puddle of possible coolant made me think 'maybe' the radiator went bad, and some coolant got into the trans fluid somehow. But i never found a leak in the radiator, and the coolant level was fine.

low mileage used auto trans and new radiator now, so hopefully all is well. I just want to check that engine mount this weekend, in case it wasn't coolant. the engine clunks pretty hard through the steering wheel and floor when starting over.

'turning over' that is.

[the commissar!]

gotcha...no pink!

then that mount is suspect...too bad it was not done during the tranny swap

[scumcity14]

the oil in the mounts is dark (at least the ones i have cut apart).

Another idea if nothing else, how is your AC accumulator? and Does your AC work at the moment? Reason I ask is I had the same little 1-2" puddle of clear thin oily film for a few days this summer and it was PAG oil from a pinhole in the accumulator.
Just a thought..

[BlackBrick]

Hmmm, don't even know what that is. Did you have to replace the accumulator?

I'll test the A/C, but i've been using the defroster without any issues.

[scumcity14]

its the black canister on the pass side front..the AC lines run into it. Its a common part to go bad. and cheap...but it does require a recharge (ideally a full evacuation and recharge)