Oil marks on drive. From drain holes?

[KernowSid]

Help please!

Moved my mk1 mx5 on the drive this morning and noticed two oil/petrol marks where the car had been parked. It looked like the oil/petrol had come from the two drain rails. I know the petrol tank is on the left, so maybe that is the reason for the leak on the left of the car, but where could the oil/petrol be coming from on the right of the car?

It definately wasn't an engine leak from the front as far as I could see.

Any one have any ideas? It was raining heavily last night if that makes a difference?

[renaultgeek]

if it's gone now it's petrol.

[KernowSid]

It probably is petrol on the LHS, but still don't understand where its coming from on the drivers side.

Seems strange!

[Oldandslow]

Would there be a rust proofing treatment in there that might let loose a little bit of oilyness?

[KernowSid]

Might be some rustproofing being washed off the car.

Will wait til this rain clears off and park the car on some cardboard, see if that makes anymore obvious where the oil/petrol is coming from.

[MX-5 Lazza]

A couple more options - brake or clutch fluid & blown shock absorbers. Both pretty easy to check.
Really doesn't sound like petrol to me. Even just a tiny petrol leak would make the car stink of petrol fumes.

[KernowSid]

Shocks are new on back so it's not that, you could be right about brakes though. Will have a good look to see.

[anonymous-user]

After having the sills repaired on my mk1 I gave the sill innards a good coating of Dinitrol or whatever it's called. A heck of a lot of thick black liquid dripped from the sill drain holes for a few weeks after. I try to keep the car out of the rain so I don't know if that washes the rust-proofer out but if it rained heavily then it could be that the sills have been waxed inside and the rain was heavy enough to wash some of it out.

You could stick a pipe cleaner into a few of the drain holes and see if it comes out black.

[KernowSid]

Still confused what it could be. Took both back wheels off, checked all unions for the brakes, checked the suspension, CV joints, axle everything, all bone dry.

Can only be from the drain holes which are both clear, can only be some rust proofing I guess.