Thoughts on my puddle...
Discussion
Rebuild - done
Rework - done
New clutch & cylinder - done
Induction - done
After getting her back again, drove for <100 miles and the clutch went; specifically a hydraulic union was leaking, out of fluid. No clutch.
Back for a quick fix thankfully.
Back on the road
Have done virtually no milage, and she's been sitting in a warm garage on charge for a week. Looked to take her out today... started first time, rolled her forward onto the drive. Thought i'd take a moment just to check for liquids given I'd used the clutch - call me paranoid - but there it was, my puddle
Slightly viscous to the touch, clear liquid which started in a blob and then spread in the direction of the car where I'd pulled forward
Definitely not there before start-up. So I'm now wondering if its:
1. Acceptable/expected - given the recent work, clutch bleeding etc?
2. Something to keep an eye on - see if it gets worse?
3. Back to the shop - danger Will Robinson!
Keeping an eye on levels isn't so easy with the clutch fluid as I recall
Couse have been worse though - if it was a fuel line maybe
Rework - done
New clutch & cylinder - done
Induction - done
After getting her back again, drove for <100 miles and the clutch went; specifically a hydraulic union was leaking, out of fluid. No clutch.
Back for a quick fix thankfully.
Back on the road
Have done virtually no milage, and she's been sitting in a warm garage on charge for a week. Looked to take her out today... started first time, rolled her forward onto the drive. Thought i'd take a moment just to check for liquids given I'd used the clutch - call me paranoid - but there it was, my puddle
Slightly viscous to the touch, clear liquid which started in a blob and then spread in the direction of the car where I'd pulled forward
Definitely not there before start-up. So I'm now wondering if its:
1. Acceptable/expected - given the recent work, clutch bleeding etc?
2. Something to keep an eye on - see if it gets worse?
3. Back to the shop - danger Will Robinson!
Keeping an eye on levels isn't so easy with the clutch fluid as I recall
Couse have been worse though - if it was a fuel line maybe
If it was leaking before, could it have leaked onto the 'drip tray' and then spilled off that as you moved the car? Long shot perhaps. I would check the clutch fluid though (tip: make the lower screw hole in the domed plastic cover into a slot to the edge, then you won't have to take the airbox off each time you want to remove/replace it - just slide the cover back under the screw head). Clean up the puddle, pump clutch, look at fluid, look for puddles...
Gazzab said:
with all that work I would expect a couple of coolant leaks?
Hmmm.... coolant. Interesting new angle! 
Isn't that a different colour though? Blue-ish?
This is/was definitely clear... ish
Did have a look under the hood, and couldn't see anything obvious, perhaps just need to do some more rummaging...
grovest said:
Just a thought, try mixing the unknown liquid with water, if it mixes its coolant or washer fluid, if it doesn't it's oil based...
Will need to recreate the puddle for that... Edited by grovest on Tuesday 3rd August 14:21
Need to make more time for her, having just moved, she's not a priority! So I'm told by the other half!
I take it you've still got finger prints 
, that'll rule out battery acid from overcharging the battery then 
. What does it taste like...........
Seriously, small weeps after a complete disassemble and reassemble can and do happen, as already said need to check if its water or oil based first and exactly where it's dropping from relative to the car. Put a sheet of paper/cardboard under it to see if it pin points the source better.
, that'll rule out battery acid from overcharging the battery then . What does it taste like...........Seriously, small weeps after a complete disassemble and reassemble can and do happen, as already said need to check if its water or oil based first and exactly where it's dropping from relative to the car. Put a sheet of paper/cardboard under it to see if it pin points the source better.
HarryW said:
I take it you've still got finger prints , that'll rule out battery acid from overcharging the battery then . What does it taste like...........
Seriously, small weeps after a complete disassemble and reassemble can and do happen, as already said need to check if its water or oil based first and exactly where it's dropping from relative to the car. Put a sheet of paper/cardboard under it to see if it pin points the source better.
Checked - and yes. Still there, so not acid , that'll rule out battery acid from overcharging the battery then . What does it taste like...........Seriously, small weeps after a complete disassemble and reassemble can and do happen, as already said need to check if its water or oil based first and exactly where it's dropping from relative to the car. Put a sheet of paper/cardboard under it to see if it pin points the source better.
That's reassuring - to some degree
Hoping the weather sorts itself out so I can do some proper "testing" 
Appreciate the post though. Comforting to think there's a chance she might not need to go straight back to the shop!
Is the coolant level still up at the level of the 'crease' in the expansion? If so then I guess its not coolant. Is the oil level ok and at max then ditto. If the clutch is ok and the clutch fluid level is ok then ditto again.
I would then just drive and enjoy but keep a careful look out for more drips and keep an eye on levels.
I would then just drive and enjoy but keep a careful look out for more drips and keep an eye on levels.
Gazzab said:
Is the coolant level still up at the level of the 'crease' in the expansion? If so then I guess its not coolant. Is the oil level ok and at max then ditto. If the clutch is ok and the clutch fluid level is ok then ditto again.
I would then just drive and enjoy but keep a careful look out for more drips and keep an eye on levels.
Wise words as always I would then just drive and enjoy but keep a careful look out for more drips and keep an eye on levels.
First chance to be able to do some "testing"...
The original offending "puddle":
Tried a bit of "clutch pumping" on the drive, and no additional puddles or spotting at all. Thought a quick once round the block wouldn't be stretching too far... everything went well.
Returned back... pulled the cover on, and checked again...
... now thats a puddle!
Good amount of fluid out there, and as you can see, it's at the front, slightly offset to the driver's side.
But here's my quandry - if it's the clutch hydraulics, then why is it only showing after a run, and not jigging back and forth or pumping on the drive? Thoughts?
Another trip to Austec me thinks...
I'm sure they're as tired of seeing her arrive as I am of seeing her leave!
The original offending "puddle":
Tried a bit of "clutch pumping" on the drive, and no additional puddles or spotting at all. Thought a quick once round the block wouldn't be stretching too far... everything went well.
Returned back... pulled the cover on, and checked again...
... now thats a puddle!
Good amount of fluid out there, and as you can see, it's at the front, slightly offset to the driver's side.
But here's my quandry - if it's the clutch hydraulics, then why is it only showing after a run, and not jigging back and forth or pumping on the drive? Thoughts?
Another trip to Austec me thinks...
I'm sure they're as tired of seeing her arrive as I am of seeing her leave!
Deffo looks like its in front of the engine area, what condition are the coolant pipes, hoses and joints in that area, take the front panel off and you'll see them all. If you have the original steel pipes with hoses going between the engine and the radiator/thermostat (above the steering rack) then it could be them, they do rust. Should be able to identify where its coming from tbh. If its oil based then it could be steering fluid but that would be red in colour from memory.
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