Unusual fluid leaking?

[rippers]

Was parked at a hotel last Sunday morning. Started the car up and waited for it to warm up and demist. I was parked on a slight slope and after ten minutes noticed a trickle of fluid runnung from under the car. it was not an oil based liquid, it had the texture of black water. It looked a bit like a weak black watercolour paint, the type my kids use. I couldn't tell where it was coming from on the car but it was somewhere at the rear, NOT the engine.

When I start the car at home an let it warm up a damp patch forms on the floor of the garage under the car beneath the exhaust unit. I wonder if this was the same thing but excentuated by the slope on this occasion.

Does anyone know what this liquid is? is it normal?

I have a long journey coing up this weekend and am in need of reassurance

Cheers - Rippers

[maddog-uk]

I would not start the car and leave it, the speed 6 is a fire and go engine then watch the revs till you have 70c oil temp. Mine lets a little soot out when you start it.

[targarama]

I assume you checked all the levels? Is the brake/clutch fluid reservoir filled too? (footwell, behind pedal box - nice and easy to reach).

Mine dripped loads from a new oil filter - it was a bit too heavily oiled and looked like a gearbox leak as it ran down the back of the engine and over the gearbox belhousing. Even the AA man thought it was terminal. Lowl loadered to dealer. Dealer found no problems.

Get the car on a ramp and see what the leak/drip is!

[madbadger]

Could it be water that has collected (maybe by the rear exhaust) that was able to drain out because you were parked on a slope?

[enjybenjy]

I would say that it's water coming out of the exhaust (either the end or a small leak in the system). Water is produced anyway by the combustion process, it's a by-product, and normally when it comes out of a leak it will drag carbon deposits with it. That'll be why the water was black and errr, watery.

[rippers]

enjybenjy said:

I would say that it's water coming out of the exhaust (either the end or a small leak in the system). Water is produced anyway by the combustion process, it's a by-product, and normally when it comes out of a leak it will drag carbon deposits with it. That'll be why the water was black and errr, watery.

That sounds like what I saw, water with carbon deposits in it. Will mention it at the service next month

Cheers - Rippers

[tail slide]

rippers said:

enjybenjy said:

I would say that it's water coming out of the exhaust (either the end or a small leak in the system). Water is produced anyway by the combustion process, it's a by-product, and normally when it comes out of a leak it will drag carbon deposits with it. That'll be why the water was black and errr, watery.

That sounds like what I saw, water with carbon deposits in it. Will mention it at the service next month

Cheers - Rippers

As Maddog says, I'm sure it's normal condensation in the exhaust, but equally it's doing the exhaust and engine no good at all warming up very slowly, as you get a lot more condensation for longer and the engine's bearings are running cold for longer.

[rolex]

Hi, can anyone tell me how to check the brake/clutch fluid level? Only the top of the resevoir is showing behind the pedal box. If the cap is removed would one expect to meet liquid with a poke of ones index finger?

[maddog-uk]

rolex said:

Hi, can anyone tell me how to check the brake/clutch fluid level? Only the top of the resevoir is showing behind the pedal box. If the cap is removed would one expect to meet liquid with a poke of ones index finger?

Mine is very near the top, ie I can touch it, I use one of these to help me
www.premiertools.co.uk/products/Flexible_Shaft_Inspection_Mirror.htm

[rolex]

Cheers Simon, fluid is def near the top so ruled that out for the fluid leak on my driveway