Mysterious Leak
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Mysterious Leak
Hey guys,
997.1 C2S
Last night, I noticed a strange squeaking coming from my front left brakes. After I parked the car and inspected the wheel well, I discovered the whole well was covered in oil. It looked somewhat amber, so I was thinking brake fluid must have sprayed all over the place. I let the car sit overnight to discover more oils on the ground this morning. The oils appear to trail down the left side of the car (so I'm thinking brake line?) — from the front wheel well up to the rear tire. There's some oil also puddled around the center, but I think this might just be the liquid pooling under the trays and dropping off at a center point. Hoping someone here might know if the car is safe to drive to a mechanic and what the cause might be.
Another strange thing I noticed is that at 850 RPM idle, my oil pressure is fluctuating without any change to engine speed. Video attachments included.
left wheel well covered in oil
dripping oil on left side
997.1 C2S
Last night, I noticed a strange squeaking coming from my front left brakes. After I parked the car and inspected the wheel well, I discovered the whole well was covered in oil. It looked somewhat amber, so I was thinking brake fluid must have sprayed all over the place. I let the car sit overnight to discover more oils on the ground this morning. The oils appear to trail down the left side of the car (so I'm thinking brake line?) — from the front wheel well up to the rear tire. There's some oil also puddled around the center, but I think this might just be the liquid pooling under the trays and dropping off at a center point. Hoping someone here might know if the car is safe to drive to a mechanic and what the cause might be.
Another strange thing I noticed is that at 850 RPM idle, my oil pressure is fluctuating without any change to engine speed. Video attachments included.
left wheel well covered in oil
dripping oil on left side
#4
Instructor
Thread Starter
I haven't seen any leaks coming out of the brake fluid reservoir, so possibly the problem is down the line. Are there any weak points that you guys recommend I check? I pumped the brakes while stationary and they seemed fine, but I'm hesitant to test it on open road.
#5
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I never saw a brake leak like that... not saying it is not that system, but this would be rare. Did you check the power steering reservoir level?
Peace
Bruce in Philly
Peace
Bruce in Philly
#7
Instructor
Thread Starter
Trending Topics
#8
If its gas, you should be able to tell by the smell. Good luck!
To make sure, there is a hex screw on the trim just at the back to the front right wheel, loose the screw and lift the trim a little and you can see the end of the small pipe.
To make sure, there is a hex screw on the trim just at the back to the front right wheel, loose the screw and lift the trim a little and you can see the end of the small pipe.
#9
Oil leaking from the front of the vehicle.....? Unlikely. Your power steering rack seals, or the pressure line feeding it, have failed. You're losing Pentosin/PS fluid. Check the reservoir.
You would have lost brakes with that much fluid loss, and a shock wouldn't lose enough to leak under the entire vehicle.
You would have lost brakes with that much fluid loss, and a shock wouldn't lose enough to leak under the entire vehicle.
#10
Instructor
Thread Starter
More to the mystery. I fired it up and took it for a 5 minute drive. I noticed earlier that the coolant level was low, but on this drive the warning confirmed it. My coolant is lower than the minimum and my leak is continuing at the front left. I’m thinking a component in the radiator assembly has failed and has caused the leak. Constant dripping to the floor.
#11
Three Wheelin'
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That amount of liquid and amber colour - can't it bee coolant? You have the radiators just in front of the wheel.
Check all levels of fluid. You should easily find the cause.
If it's brake fluid it's corrosive as hell and plastic and rubber will be destroyed.
Check all levels of fluid. You should easily find the cause.
If it's brake fluid it's corrosive as hell and plastic and rubber will be destroyed.
#12
Instructor
Thread Starter
It's definitely the radiator area that's culprit to the coolant leak. I'll have to call tomorrow to figure out next step. Best not to drive it, given the rate of leaking.
#13
Rennlist Member
thats 99% a steering rack seal gone. Check your ps fluid levels.
#14
Instructor
Thread Starter
If it is the steering rack, is it possible that the leaking should also be present on the right side of the car?
#15
Rennlist Member
Do this. You have several fluids in your car.
Check your brake fluid level
you coolant level
you power steering fluid level
the one that is low is the one leaking.
its possible it’s coolant but coolant is pinkish in color not Amber. Pentosin is Amber.
And no it could be just one side leaking.
Check your brake fluid level
you coolant level
you power steering fluid level
the one that is low is the one leaking.
its possible it’s coolant but coolant is pinkish in color not Amber. Pentosin is Amber.
And no it could be just one side leaking.
It’s common for the radiators to need a service the car is 10years old...