I have found un-nervingly a fluid underneath where my car sat last night.
it is olive oil in colour, most definatley oil as I have felt it, and it is smooth.
I only noticed when I arrived back home, but on the road could not tell if it were brake fluid.
I guess I lost 2oz's no more, the brake fluid reservoir still remains at max.
No sign of any fluid in the trunk compartment. no residue on any of the lines out of the reservior. No sign of any fluid underneat the car, nor on the RH side brake caliper.
Your assistance is now very much appreciated.

 

[quote]<strong>I have found un-nervingly a fluid underneath where my car sat last night.

No sign of any fluid underneat the car, </strong><hr></blockquote>

Kevin,

Could you be more explicit exactly where you found the fluid?

 

Dear Kevin,
I agree with Bill you need to be more specific. You also have a hydraulic clutch which uses the brake fluid. My guess would be you have sprung a leak in this circuit. I also recommend you check under the carpet in the pedals area. The floor drains will take the fluid outside, eventually,
Ciao,
Adrian
911C4

PS: My daughter had the same complaint on her 944. It was the hydraulic line to the clutch slave cylinder that had failed.

 

Could also be a leaking power steering pump or rack, as dirty power steering fluid doesn't look so red at a casual glance. Check the level of your power steering reservoir.

 

Hi All.

The location of the fluid is difficult to ascertain as I had backed the car out of the garage and driven it around before I noticed it had leaked, but all I can say is it was inline with the front wheel, inboard by 6" or so beause there was no tyre tread in the fluid residue.
It is olive oil coloured.
I looked under the carpet and no sign of any leaks, took the wooden floorboards up (christ what a job) and its fluffy as hell, but no leaks.
Strange thing is I used the car yesterday before I noticed the leak, and today there's no leak and the car is as clean as a whistle underneath.
thanks so far.

Kevin

 

[quote]Originally posted by warmfuzzies:
<strong>Hi All.

***snip***

but all I can say is it was inline with the front wheel, inboard by 6" or so beause there was no tyre tread in the fluid residue.
It is olive oil coloured.

***snip***</strong><hr></blockquote>

Hi Kevin,

A leak 6" inboard of a front wheel is consistent with ( ) a power steering rack leak. Check the level in your power steering reservoir.

You can also check your gaiters to see if they're full of fluid (give it a squeeze) or for residual fluid.

Here's a pic of a fluid soaked power steering rack gaiter:



I'll keep my fingers crossed that your leak is something other than your $power steering$ rack.

 

not wishing to sound dumb, but the reservoir, does it sit in the RH wing... trunk compartment?

 

Hi Kevin,

It's in the engine compartment, right side, near the air cleaner box. If you look hard, you can see it feeding into the power steering pump.

If you have one, the owner's manual will describe how to find and check it.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Randall G.:
[QB]


Here's a pic of a fluid soaked power steering rack gaiter:

QUOTE]

Gosh, that looks familiar - its what mine looks like still



I agree with Randall - the location and the fluid color could well be the power steering - one tip - use a small flashlight to ascertain the level in your power steering fluid reservoir. I didn't at first and convinced myself that the fluid level was OK <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />

 

Hi Guys,
Checked power steering reservoir, no leaks, fluid is most definately red in the reservoir, but olive oil coloured on the floor.
checked the gaitors, bone dry, no sign of leaks when I squeeze them although they might have been replaced in the past as they are tie wrapped on.
Took off the inner wing (black plastic) shield and its bone dry underneath.
examined all the areas around here and its bone dry. Calipers etc, even the funny drain tube (3-4mm dia) that appears from the inner wing ( master brake reservoir )? and its dry inside.
Could it be that if I cooked the brakes that the reservoir although now at max was previously filled too high and has overflowed from this pipe? I drove about 50-60 mls at high speed on a twisty road, not dangerously fast, but quick non-the-less.

 

Dear Kevin,
It may be the your brake fluid tank just vented the excess if it had been overfilled. I sincerely recommend you keep an eye on the brake fluid level. Olive coloured fluid is standard brake fluid colour.
Ciao,
Adrian
911C4

 

Could it be oil from the front damper?? Mine just went, leaving a 12" oil stain on the floor.

 

Kevin,

You been making that darn Greek salad under your car again??

Hope you find the culprit and thats its just a "mister meaner!"

Adiou
Richard <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

 

I really hate to suggest this, but are you absolutely certain the fluid came from the Porsche and not another car or some other type of spill that may have occurred in your garage? Does the color of the fluid match that of any other fluids in your car?

Just a thought.

<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

 

Thus far.
The fluid has to have come from this car, my Audi only has driveway priviliges now :-(
I drove the car reasonably hard yesterday, and it is bone dry underneath. I checked the brake fluid reservoir (RH inner wing) and the level from 2 days ago has not changed.
I have checked the colour and it is most definatley yellow/green. Olive oil coloured.
It dosent seem to have removed any of the paint that I had sprayed into a paint lid (I did this to check if it was brake fluid) but it is similar in colour and feel.
The shocks feel ok, damping 1 1/2 times to return, the ride height remains consistant, and firm.
I don't think its engine oil, as this would have discoloured by now, last service 91,000 in May, now 93,500 in Sept, So i would have exected all the engine oil to have undergone changes in colour and smell.
The only changes I can note are seat of the pants stuff, I dont think the brakes are working as well as when I first drove the car, and don't feel as consistant when the brakes are hot, i.e having driven the car for 30mins or so.
I'll keep an eye on it, and probably go for a fluid change and stainless hose upgrade at the same time during the winter. (hoping the fluid was topped up too far)

thanks all for your input.

Kevin