I had my oil change a couple of weeks ago and ever since then I have noticed a minor leak in my driveway. I took it back to the garage and they looked under it. They said it was a minor leak that could be coming from either the oil pan, transmission or differential. I had the car washed and detailed yesterday and made sure they used that undercarriage jet cleaners system they have so that I could see where the actual leak was coming from. The one mechanic said he could not call it because the wind blows the oil or fluid that is leaking and it gets on certain areas and that could be misleading. Anyway, I got under it today and noticed the oily fluid coming from an area next to the oil pan but not exactly from it. Everything else was dry but this one spot. I am not sure if it is the differential or the tranny. I know it's not engine oil because it is too clear and thin, almost watery. And I am not sure if it is the tranny because I hear the fluid is usually reddish or brown.

Please look at the pictures and let me know. Any help will be greatly appreciate it. The car is 11 years old but looks barely 3-4 years old. Fully loaded with alpine system, 17 inch wheels, power everything and a dream to drive after a fixed the stutter/hesitation problem I had which I posted about. Ok, enough babbling lol.

Thank you all

 

That's coolant. Compare color to what's in the expansion tank. From picture of ground spot it looks like it's from the back end of the engine, which is where the water pump is mounted. I'd start at the water pump working downward to find leak source. Your mechanic should have been able to identify this. Removing the splash panel underneath engine may help you find the leak.

 

Yep, I agree. The water pump on the X-Type is located on the back of the engine, respectively. These are a common issue, most likely will need to be replaced. Good idea to change the belt as well if you have a lot of miles and hasn't been changed. Another common coolant leak that can come from that area is there thermostat housing, these you can get just the seal. Also the thermostat covers are prone to internal failure. I would have your mechanic take the thermostat cover off and inspect inside, make sure the tabs holding the thermostat in are not cracked and falling apart, as this will pretty much require a coolant drain again, better to catch it in one go.


Here is your water pump.




Remove the water pump drive pulley.











ItemDescription1Upper coolant hose2Water pump3Coolant expansion tank4Coolant pressure cap5Thermostat6Engine oil cooler7Engine block heater (cold climate market vehicles only)8Engine block drain plug

 

Thank you @JBzXJ40 and @swingwing!! Now that you guys mention it, the fluid does look like what's in the coolant reservoir. Also, I noticed that the lid from the coolant reservoir is very rusty and the lid itself is very old looking and beat up. The inner spring came off. I can still close it but I wonder if that spring is in fact a necessary.

I will have it looked at on Friday and see what it will cost to fix it. Thank you both again!!

 

Isn't the cap on the coolant tank made of plastic? Maybe the previous owner put an aftermarket cap on there.

As others said, chances are this is coming from the water pump and it is something I would advise you get replaced right away because it could go completely at any time and you know how things like that typically go: It happens at the worst possible time and usually far away from home. So, get it replaced while you can control the situation. Looks like a pretty good sized puddle there.

 

THANK YOU!! I will definitely be replacing it!!

 

Run the engine up to operated temp. then check from the hoses around expansion tank, it could be from worn out the tank nipples, check the water pump and below it if there are puddles on top of transmission, the leak is from the pump.

 

One last thing. Keep a very close eye on the coolant level so the car won't overheat. You can't necessarily go by the gauge on the dash. It is not an actual temperature gauge. When it is cold as it warms up it will go just a hair past the center mark. It will not move from there until it will overheat, so if you see it creeping up you know something bad is happening and to stop driving it and check out the coolant.