Tarek307

**CONCLUSION incase your searching: Ended up being the Pentison fluid for power steering- the O-Ring on the power steering was leaking- i'm attached a photo in a post on 2nd page- cost was $135 at indy shop****

Holly Freaking LEAK! Clear oily Fluid-Passenger side rear!!
I already posted this on 6speed so sorry for double post!

So i just came back from a quick trip to the store in my 2002 996 6speed manual-which i just bought 2 weeks ago only has 39k- i park and i look in the rear view and there is some smoke coming out the back (car driving normal, no lights, ect) i look under the car and notice a clear fluid is leaking, kind of an oily clear fluid- (engine oil level checked & this is not engine oil) its dripping onto the exhaust part and thats whats makign the smoke...then started the car again and when i did i noticed it was REALLY LEAKING like dripping out compared to just barley coming out after i stopped the engine..Great i've had this car a couple of weeks only.. now i have to worry all night as to what this **** is!

ps: LET ME REPEAT -COOLANT LEVEL IS NORMAL- CLEAR OILY FLUID DOES NOT SMELL LIKE COOLANT-COMING FROM PASSENGER SIDE REAR NOT DRIVERS SIDE!!!r -Also checked brake fluid in the front reservior and its full..the fluid is clear i let it drip on a napkin - its dark out which doesn't help
\
few photos! You can see in the second one while the engine was started that its like spewing out...****tttttttttttt

*****JUST CHECKED LEVEL ON THE HYDRAULIC FLUID CAP PENISTON STUFF & IT IS NOT EVEN SHOWING UP ON THE DIP STICK***Maybe the culprit here!

ivangene

check your coolant... maybe you have water in there.....not coolant?

Tarek307

My friend this is NOT COOLANT!!! does not smell like coolant, coolant level is normal, and is on the passenger side not drivers side

fpb111

There are only a few things it could be, engine oil, coolant, brake fluid? leaking motor mount, power steering fluid, trans fluid??

Is this a 6 speed or auto, pretty far back for trans.

Is it thick? Or thin like water?
Does it smell? What did it taste like? How much leaked out?

The tank can be up to the full mark with a giant air bubble in the system that you won't know about until the engine melts.

BTW coolant lines run everywhere. In the pic it looks greenish like coolant.
Wait until it cools and pull the cap to see if it runs out slower with no pressure in the system.
Smell what is in the tank and what is leaking to see if they smell the same.

Porsche does not use common "anti-freeze" in their cars. They use a mixture of soft spring water (from a special secret Bavarian spring) that only runs for three weeks in May) with a cup of saffron* to give it color and body. That is why it is $100 a pint.

*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saffron
PS
ivangene won't be your friend if you are not nice to him.

bkjwhipple

but does your coolant tank have coolant, or water in it.. green or clear?

Tarek307

Its kinda thin and yellowish like brake fluid, doesn't smell like coolant, the car is a 6speed- it almost looks like brake fluid or some kind of hydraulic fluid.. and a big LOL @ "What did it taste like" that alone took me out of my bad mood! lol

Car has coolant not water i believe! but this is OILY if it was water i'm sure i'd know- plus the smell when its leaking on the muffler parts is def not water or coolant

ivangene

power steering fluid

remove the belt and startr it.. should not leak

BTW I read that you said it was not coolant which is why I said check your coolant to see if your car has coolant or is running straight water... you just bought it and I wasnt sure if you knew the history on the coolant or even if it had coolant in the cooling system...

have you been running the A/C

bkjwhipple

have you checked your brake fluid level? that is a significant amount... definitely enough to be low in the reservoir. If its low, you know what fluid it is..

Tarek307

Hey thanks ivan, but remove what belt? i can barley remove the seatbelt buddy, i'm not mechanichal whatso ever to remove steering belts, ect.. I believe the car had coolant, but even if it was water, this isn't water cuz its oily and yellow, plus the car is from San Fran it gets cold there, kind of..and this owner took super good care of the car, doubt he would have used water!

I've been always running the AC but today and yesterday was running the heater cuz its getting a bit cold out!

Checked and is full

Tarek307

This guy is a comedian! Saffron you say..hmm, and what do they use for brake fluid? hummus?

I enjoy comedy, but woulda been nice to keep the thread simple incase someone does a search in the future!

fpb111

One of the coolants used in these cars is yellow.


If I have a leak that I really can't identify one of the things I use is taste.
Saffron for coolant
Hummus for your brake fluid mine is more of a rice vinegar/rape seed oil mix
Burned garlic for std trans fluid.
Really well used socks with well aged gargonzola cheese for the Pentosin power steering fluid.

My friend, the way you jumped on ivangene I thought you could use a little humor.

Tarek307

<-----You know where to put that! kidding! ivangene is great help, i was just frustrated cuz i searched for so long & everyone that has a leak people keep repeating its coolant..lol

Chris996

Leaking motor mount... check under the mount to see if the same oil is at the base. I had the same on my 2000 996.

ivangene

It's OK... I understood the frustration....

besides in order to drive one of these a tad bit of "*****" is sometimes a good trait

anyhow, since you are not mechanical (your words) I suggest having it towed in for repairs, getting a nice coffee and browsing the pro shop for key chains and ciggarette lighters.... in the most respectful way I can say it.


dont drive it, have it fixed.

joelpirela

Power steering pump or hose is leaking. That's pentosin highly flammable and it's dripping on your exhaust. be careful.