Red sticky fluid leak, UGHHHH!
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 44
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From: Near Cobaltville
Red sticky fluid leak, UGHHHH! I'm getting a red sticky leak coming from somewhere near the underside of the power steering res. But I don't think it's power steering fluid, its too red. It is running down the engine, then under and accumulating near the oil pan. I can't tell what type of fluid because I'm not sure if the red color is from the heat or if it's naturally red. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
P.S. no, it's not blood
P.S. no, it's not blood
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 1
From: Just This Side of Damnation
Check your PS fluid level and while you're at it see what color it really is. That's the quick and easy first check that I'd do. If nothing else you'll know what it maybe isn't.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Near Cobaltville
It's an A4, I did check the PS fluid, and it doesn't look red at all. So while the leak seems to be coming from underneath the resevoir, I'm not convinced its the PS fluid. The level was a bit low, which could mean that when it gets hot, it turns red. Maybe I should take a little dab of my PS fluid and hit it w/ my torch to see if it goes red. Anymore suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 
The red is not from heat.
Power steering fluid will be red (unless it's old/burned and then it's brown). It will be oily more than sticky.
Dexcool will be red too. If it's a very slow leak, it will be sticky.
Power steering fluid will be red (unless it's old/burned and then it's brown). It will be oily more than sticky.
Dexcool will be red too. If it's a very slow leak, it will be sticky.
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Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Near Cobaltville
Hmmm. When it puddled on my garage floor, it was almost like a candle that drips wax then semi-hardens. So, I couldn't really say if it was oily or sticky. I don't think its tranny fluid, cause it has no reason to be coming from under the PS reservior area. Maybe Dexcool, but again, the current fluid in the PS res. is old and brown, so if that is the culprit, then how could it turn red once it leaks out???
I appreciate everyone's help, I'll get this thing figured out sooner or later.
Thanks
I appreciate everyone's help, I'll get this thing figured out sooner or later.
Thanks
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check your antifreeze.
my buddy had a "red sticky gel-like substance" on the bottom of his hoses, etc...we determined that his waterpump was leaking onto the pullies/belt...then it just got splashed onto everything else from there.
my buddy had a "red sticky gel-like substance" on the bottom of his hoses, etc...we determined that his waterpump was leaking onto the pullies/belt...then it just got splashed onto everything else from there.
