tufenhundel

09 C4S Cab There is this liquid that's slowly seeping in my frunk. It has a sour smell...maybe like vinegar. Appears to be purplish in color, or not. Hard to tell if it's the liquid, or result of reaction with material inside the frunk. It dissolves certain plastics, and reacts with metals to form scales like what you see on old battery posts. Battery is clean, btw. I cannot find the source, and it comes back after I thoroughly clean the frunk. Never pools or collects anywhere, just wets certain parts of the carpeting, and wicks onto cotton webbing I use to secure my tools. I have no errors, and the car is functioning perfectly.

What might be pertinent is that I just discovered the car had been involved in some sort of frontal collision prior to my ownership. The detailer I just took it to verified that the front bumper and hood had been repainted. Other than this, I got nothing else. What liquid could be leaking??

GT3_ISH

On the drivers side of the frunk near the floor there is an access door, behind that there is a tire inflation kit I believe. It has a fix-a-flat style substance in there.

Check that?

boisenelson

Yep, that's the first thing I would check. Those cubby's are really hard to see and easily missed if you don't know they are there. Like the previous poster, I would have to suspect the fix-a-flat goo bottle is leaking.

tufenhundel

Thanks, I had removed the goo a while ago...there's nothing there.

GT3_ISH

Thats interesting.

Mentioning the car has been in a front end collision has me thinking maybe its a small coolant leak. I'm not familiar with the specifics on how the coolant lines going to the side radiators are ran, but that may be worth looking into as well. Royal Purple makes an additive for coolant that I believe actually is purple in color.

himself

tufenhundel

I'd be surprised if coolant was so reactive. This liquid completely dissolved the poly webbing I was using to secure my jack and tools. Brake fluid, however, I will investigate.

GT3_ISH

Brake fluid typically isnt corrosive though, unless its been contaminated with water or something else.

I'd think that if enough brake fluid was leaking to reach down there, you'd be noticeably low in the reservoir. Worth the check though!

swingwing

Brake fluid eats paint. I'd check the master cylinder first.

tufenhundel

Just checked. Brake fluid level looks fine, with no visible liquid anywhere in that compartment. Mystery odor was also in that compartment, and it is distinct from that of the brake fluid--smelled both. Unless brake fluid oxidizes and smells like mystery smell, methinks it's less likely brake fluid.

dgjks6

Here is my thought. It will take 15 minutes of your time and $2 box of baking soda. Remove the battery and tray. Clean all the drains and rinse everything with baking soda/water.

Even after you replace a battery, if you leave the old stuff behind it is still an acid when mixed with water.

captainbaker

My first reaction was battery acid. Is there an over flow tube on these birds?

Petza914

There absolutely is unless you've replaced your battery with a sealed AGM style, like I have (Optima red top).

LexVan

I'd bet it's battery acid. Your battery drain hose could be damage from the prior frontal collision. A simple test with pH strips will give you a quick confirmation. Work with rubber gloves and eye protection.

tufenhundel

Checked the battery again. It is vented and connected to a clear tube that disappears elsewhere. Battery compartment looks like it just came from the factory--no rust, no residue. Sticking my nose into it, I didn't get that odor, oddly enough.