Leak from engine...need some ideas of what it is

Adrian_Lindn · 05-12-2011, 02:39 PM

Great, so this is what I needed to start off the summer. As I was driving off my driveway this morning I noticed a puddle from under my car,,, thought maybe it rained since the liquid looked like water not oil. I didn’t have time to look at it so I drove to work…then I checked underneath my car at lunch and a little puddle was there. I smelt and touched the substance and it didn’t seem like oil or ac fluid since I haven’t turned my ac on yet. The liquid seems very watery but something is dripping. Any ideas what this can be? I’m going to jack he car up today after work but I just need help with any ideas what else it might be. I checked oil level and it’s the same as I changed it last week. I also checked my coolant and it seems a little low but nothing exaggerated. Please help with any ideas.

Thanks

E36is · 05-12-2011, 03:00 PM

your post is VERY vague.

where exactly is it coming from?

what color is it? (put cardboard or something white under the drip and report back)

you have manual tranny? if so, brake fluid is clear.

steering fluid? its red.

need more info.

Adrian_Lindn · 05-12-2011, 03:03 PM

I will do that tonight. thanks...Yes manual tranny

E36is · 05-12-2011, 03:14 PM

from your OP, you stated that the liquid looked watery, which im assuming your slave cylinder is leaking. check your brake fluid to see if its low. (the clutch hydraulics are in the same reservior as your brakes)

Adrian_Lindn · 05-12-2011, 03:19 PM

What is OP? and i checked brake fluid and it did not drain lower than the last time i looked at it. My bake light has been on for some time but im changing my brakes this summer. Think it has to do something with that? Wouldnt a sensor come on?

E36is · 05-12-2011, 03:28 PM

sorry, OP = Original Post, the brake reservior on these cars are split into 2 chambers, the front end is for brakes and the back end is for clutch hydraulics. check the back end of the reserviour and see if its low.

**T.Dot_E30** · 05-12-2011, 03:34 PM

Start your car.
Drive to a mechanic.
Tell him you have a leak.
Pay them to fix it.

WIN.

Adrian_Lindn · 05-12-2011, 03:42 PM

Lol good point. Yea i checked and there isnt two resvoirs. The brake fluid Resovoir just says to use a specific brake fluid and the level is inbetween max and min. I did not see two chambers. I just checked to see if there was more of a leak in the parking lot and couldnt see anything....Id rather find out whats wrong with the car before bringing it to a mechanic to charge me just for looking at it. Thats why im on this forum dummy.

**T.Dot_E30** · 05-12-2011, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrian_Lindn

Thats why im on this forum dummy.

andrew.k · 05-12-2011, 03:51 PM

He said it wasnt an oily substance, so I doubt its the master cylinder. Probably as simple as water build-up ontop of the lower engine cover, or washer fluid. Anything else is "oily".

E36is · 05-12-2011, 10:11 PM

^^ brake fluid absorbs moisture, if its exposed long enough it will feel like water. fyi.

Adrian_Lindn · 05-13-2011, 09:00 AM

ok boys the verdict is in! The coolant light came on this morning. I leaked that shit out like a bitch. What damage do you think I'm looking at here?

**T.Dot_E30** · 05-13-2011, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrian_Lindn

ok boys the verdict is in! The coolant light came on this morning. I leaked that shit out like a bitch. What damage do you think I'm looking at here?

Where is the coolant coming from?

Take it to a damn mechanic, you don't seem to know enough to figure it out yourself. (Sorry just being honest)

It could be a water pump leak, cracked radiator, bad hose, cracked over-flow bottle or even something as small as a loose clamp. All we can do is guess based on your crappy descriptions/assumptions.

Fill it up with water/coolant, and don't drive it too far, keep an eye on the heat gauge, if it starts to over-heat pull over and let it cool down for 1hr or tow it somewhere to get checked out.

If it over-heats your looking at a engine rebuild/swap. ($$$)

MarkD · 05-13-2011, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrian_Lindn

ok boys the verdict is in! The coolant light came on this morning. I leaked that shit out like a bitch. What damage do you think I'm looking at here?

Depends where you go. Vanderheyden's garage is close to you.....

Adrian_Lindn · 05-13-2011, 09:15 AM

Vanderheyden's garage? And yes I am taking it to a mechanic,,,It's leaking from the bolt underneath...Or it could be leaking down from somewhere else to where the bolt is...Seems to leak alot when I am on an incline on my drive way, sorry for the lowsy descriptions lol...Just a guy looking for some options thanks for all of them. Never claimed I knew enough thats why I'm on here asking questions.