Help identifying fluid leak
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 715
Likes: 7
From: Houston
Help identifying fluid leak Hey all,
I just noticed that I have a slight fluid leak on my 02 trans am and was hoping for some help identifying it. The leak is from somewhere in the front of the engine. I can't tell exactly where the fluid is coming from. It is the consistency of water with little or no odor and is light pink. The fluid drips about 10 times per minute and only occurs while the car is running.
I have not made any engine mods except an air lid swap. Any help identifying this leak would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Russell
I just noticed that I have a slight fluid leak on my 02 trans am and was hoping for some help identifying it. The leak is from somewhere in the front of the engine. I can't tell exactly where the fluid is coming from. It is the consistency of water with little or no odor and is light pink. The fluid drips about 10 times per minute and only occurs while the car is running.
I have not made any engine mods except an air lid swap. Any help identifying this leak would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Russell
I Would Bet $20 That The Leak Is From The Water Pump Gaskets. I Believe It Is A 10 Mm Socket You'll Need. I Had A Very Minor Leak And I Found One Bolt That I Got 3/4 Turn On And It Stopped The Leak -good Luck! 
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TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 554
Likes: 0
From: NY
In my garage, I have a 9ft by 20ft rubber ridged floor mat which I sweep clean once a weak, wash twice a year with simple green, this allows me to locate leaks. I had a leak that drips a few drops of dexcool on the passgener side of the front which came from the waterpump gasket. 2 days later and $2, it was fixed with new gaskets, the gaskets are like aluminum plates with a rubber seal around the opening.
Whenever I see anything other than clear (usually from the exhaust consendation during cold starts), I can easily tell what fluid it was.
Light Orange to Pink = Dexcool Coolant
Blue = Brake fluid (I have ATE SuperBlue brake fluid in my brake system; stock is **** color)
Golden or brown and thick = Engine Oil
Red to Dark red = Transmission fluid (if from middle of car)
Red to Dark red = Powersteering fluid (I have Redline PS fluid; from the front of the carl;stock is slight yellowish)
Golden to light grey and thick feel = Rearend axle lube
Very light yellowish to clear with strong odor = Fuel
Light blue with a slight odor to it = Windshield washer fluid
Whenever I see anything other than clear (usually from the exhaust consendation during cold starts), I can easily tell what fluid it was.
Light Orange to Pink = Dexcool Coolant
Blue = Brake fluid (I have ATE SuperBlue brake fluid in my brake system; stock is **** color)
Golden or brown and thick = Engine Oil
Red to Dark red = Transmission fluid (if from middle of car)
Red to Dark red = Powersteering fluid (I have Redline PS fluid; from the front of the carl;stock is slight yellowish)
Golden to light grey and thick feel = Rearend axle lube
Very light yellowish to clear with strong odor = Fuel
Light blue with a slight odor to it = Windshield washer fluid
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TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 715
Likes: 7
From: Houston
Midnight,
That is a great breakdown of fluids! From all the input here I strongly believe it is coolant leaking. Probably a loose bolt. I'll have a look at it as soon as possible.
Ls1_doc,
What is so bad about air with the dexcool? Some sort of chemical reaction?
Thanks,
Russell
That is a great breakdown of fluids! From all the input here I strongly believe it is coolant leaking. Probably a loose bolt. I'll have a look at it as soon as possible.
Ls1_doc,
What is so bad about air with the dexcool? Some sort of chemical reaction?
Thanks,
Russell
Yeah, when the air reaches the coolant it will actually cause it to gel. I have seen whole engines eatan (sp?) apart by the end result. Not sure of the exact reaction but working at a radiator shop we see this all the time in gm vehicles.
