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So, I was driving from Oxford to Scotland (410 miles), and when I got home a leak has appeared, and I’m a bit stumped as to what it is or where it’s from, any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Heres the details: first off, it’s a quite slow leak. Next, it’s coming from the rear of the engine bay. The liquid is yellow/orange in colour, although weirdly when I checked this morning the liquid appeared clear. I’ve had a really really thorough look around the engine bay and absolutely nothing (that can be seen) is damp. Lastly I’ve checked all fluid reservoirs and they’re all full up to the right levels.
My only idea is coolant? Because it’s orange too.
ps. bonus thought: does anyone else think it’s weird that the coolant reservoir is so little? Just compared to every other car I’ve owned (with much smaller engines) they’ve had much bigger coolant reservoirs.
Yellow/orange must be coolant unless you are using some exotic screen wash fluid.
If you think the Expansion Tank (the coolant reservoir) is little, I presume you haven't seen the Atmospheric Recovery Bottle inside the RH front wing? Excess coolant from the tank flows into this as the engine heats and is drawn back as it cools.
The leak could be in the pipe from the Expansion Tank to the Atmospheric Recovery Bottle. Another possibility is the 'valley hoses' running along the vee of the engine to the heater.
Norfskate, sounds like coolant. Never forget coolant is poisonous yet dogs like the taste. Check the coolant overflow tank for a small crack / leak. Mine was underneath.
if you can't spot the leak you should use a pressure tester on a cold engine. cold = don't want you to get scalded.
many of us find the autozone rental pressure tester frustrating because its hard to find proper adapter. OTOH several posts are here with success stories. Just ask us for help if you like.
in a pinch, you can use strategically placed paper napkins to track down leak source. Stuff it in. Go for ride. See what's wet where.
John
Rear of the engine bay is likely the heater supply and return hoses on top of the engine??
You don't give us a clue about Make, Model, Year but good luck with the mystery car.
Mystery fluid leak...
