Mystery leak...

[a_d_a_m]

Okay, the Marauder is in storage with a few pal's cars. As such, it is currently blocked in by a non-running '80s Mazda RX7. I have only a few feet to move it back and forth until my buddy can come over and unlock his car so I can push it outta the way.

Anyway...
I went to start the car and, as I always check underneath before I start it, noticed a small puddle, maybe the size of a drink coaster (or smaller). It was dry, but you could tell it had been wet. It was right underneath the area where the oil filter and power steering lines were.

I checked the oil, and it was at the normal level (and brand new, i.e. not brown or black or anything).

So I started the car, let it get to normal operating temperature. Didn't notice any leaking. Moved the car forward a few feet and threw it in park. Turned the wheels right and left a little bit too. Then I looked under the car and noticed a dark puddle, again about the same size, underneath the car. The fluid was odorless, definitely brown (like way-used oil -- and remember, I changed mine right before it went in storage).

So I'm thinking power steering line. But I couldn't get under the car to see what exactly it was.

Anyone got any ideas? Happened to anyone else?
Bueller?:mad2:

[a_d_a_m]

...my gut (which is sizable thanks to all the PBR) says it'd be the PS pressure line?

[Mr. Man]

Can you trace the line with your hand from above? While the car is cool feel around with your hand till you hit the wet spot....pardon the pun:D

[ctrlraven]

When doing an oil change and removing the filter unless you have the splash adapter or whatever it is caused some oil can spill down and rest on part of the front brace. If you don't clean that oil off it can drip down over time since there is a little hole on the flat surface. If you think its your PS fluid, check the res, if the fluid is brown then you know it is it and you better change it asap. The PS fluid is Mercon V, same as the transmission fluid so it should be cherry red if it is still fine.

[a_d_a_m]

Can you trace the line with your hand from above? No, the leak is definitely coming from the lower side.


When doing an oil change and removing the filter unless you have the splash adapter or whatever it is caused some oil can spill down and rest on part of the front brace. No, I'm quite familiar with that condition, and that's definitely not it.

And it's not transmission fluid.

What else could it be?

[Mr. Man]

Any chance it could be a brake line?

[LANDY]

Check deposit oil in the k-member from oil change and make sure when oil was changed the old filter's gasket wasnt left attached to the block.

[Krytin]

There is a pressure switch t-ed into the Hi-pressure P/S line and they do start to leak after awhile. Just changed the one on my '04 CV. Best luck finding it a the dealership.
Hope you find your leak.

[Siege]

My guess is oil filter housing gasket. Oil leaking from here will collect junk from the housing and k-member before hitting the floor causing fresh oil to look darker. Confirm by looking for oil on the bottom of the housing and oil pressure sending unit.

The power steering system uses transmission fluid which is red and is definitely not odorless.

[a_d_a_m]

I will check when I can get that POS Mazda out of the way and put the car up in the air.

[a_d_a_m]

(thanks everyone for your assistance)

[a_d_a_m]

I hate this.

Went out to the compound with my buddy, pushed his Mazda outta the way, started the Marauder, let it warm up, moved it out and put it on ramps.

Couldn't get one drop to come out except for the exhaust which was full of water! There was no evidence of any faulty components, and I couldn't tell where it was coming from. In other words, it looked like 'business as usual' underneath. Took a few laps around the compound, got the revs up a little bit...NOTHING.

Problems like this frustrate me, because I know something is wrong but the car has apparently fixed itself for the time being. What I wonder is, maybe a seal or gasket dried up and was cold, and allowed fluid to pass through; by starting the car, warming it up, and letting fluids circulate, maybe it revived its gasket-ing powers?

Who the hell knows?
Back in storage for a little bit.

[FastMerc]

I hate this.

Went out to the compound with my buddy, pushed his Mazda outta the way, started the Marauder, let it warm up, moved it out and put it on ramps.

Couldn't get one drop to come out except for the exhaust which was full of water! There was no evidence of any faulty components, and I couldn't tell where it was coming from. In other words, it looked like 'business as usual' underneath. Took a few laps around the compound, got the revs up a little bit...NOTHING.

Problems like this frustrate me, because I know something is wrong but the car has apparently fixed itself for the time being. What I wonder is, maybe a seal or gasket dried up and was cold, and allowed fluid to pass through; by starting the car, warming it up, and letting fluids circulate, maybe it revived its gasket-ing powers?

Who the hell knows?
Back in storage for a little bit.
Oh theres a stab at the wheels,lol :P

[Merc-O-matic]

Put a plate or dish under where it is leaking.....check it when you can.
Close examination with good lighting in the house is in order to get
a better feel for what the fluid is. Then you can go from there.
Any good doctor will tell you that you have to have a lab sample:
blood, urine, bile, sputum, or waste from the ash can.
Keep us posted.

P.S.
Saw Moby Vic today
at the big All Ford/Mustang show.