Does Transmission fluid smell like brake fluid?
Discussion
Just been outside at work to see a rather large puddle under my car. FML.
Put my fingers in to smell it and its definatly not coolant. Smells very strong. The first thing I thought of was brake fluid (having bled brakes in the past). It's similar to engine oil but a fair bit stronger.
Checked all of the brake lines/components in the engine bay and all are fine. There is no fluid anywhere in the bay.
Looking underneigh, it is dripping off the bottom of the gearbox where it joins to the engine block. Seems like its coming from inside the bell housing.
So think it could either be the crank seal and it is engine oil or a seal on the gearbox leaking transmission fluid.
Does tranny fluid smell of brake fluid or is it different? Pretty sure it isn't engine oil. Looks very clean too and quite light in colour, like brake fluid too...
Any ideas?
Put my fingers in to smell it and its definatly not coolant. Smells very strong. The first thing I thought of was brake fluid (having bled brakes in the past). It's similar to engine oil but a fair bit stronger.
Checked all of the brake lines/components in the engine bay and all are fine. There is no fluid anywhere in the bay.
Looking underneigh, it is dripping off the bottom of the gearbox where it joins to the engine block. Seems like its coming from inside the bell housing.
So think it could either be the crank seal and it is engine oil or a seal on the gearbox leaking transmission fluid.
Does tranny fluid smell of brake fluid or is it different? Pretty sure it isn't engine oil. Looks very clean too and quite light in colour, like brake fluid too...
Any ideas?
Nope, cable clutch.
The smell isn't that offensive, but pretty much certain it isn't brake fluid as there is nowhere the fluid could get onto the block/gearbox to drip off the bottom.
Could be engine oil but smells different IMO. Plus as said, it looks very clean and clear, which on this car, I wouldn't expect it to be.
Its a Suzuki swift 1987.
The smell isn't that offensive, but pretty much certain it isn't brake fluid as there is nowhere the fluid could get onto the block/gearbox to drip off the bottom.
Could be engine oil but smells different IMO. Plus as said, it looks very clean and clear, which on this car, I wouldn't expect it to be.
Its a Suzuki swift 1987.
Snoop Bagg said:
Marf said:
They smell different in my experience. Gearbox oil has a bloody horrible smell, whereas brake fluid is far less offensive.
There is absolutely nothing worse than the smell of Transmission fluid in the morning! It smells of burnt chemicals. 
Deluded said:
The smell isn't that offensive, but pretty much certain it isn't brake fluid as there is nowhere the fluid could get onto the block/gearbox to drip off the bottom.
You would be amazed where fluid can run to on a car.Brake fluid feels slightly oily/greasy if you rub it between your fingers.
Gearbox oil smells like an explosion in a chemical works.
Coolant feels watery but has a very sweet taste (don't drink it, just dab your tongue on it like a TV cop checking coke).
Engine oil is engine oil.
That should be your lot - hopefully!
Drove it home. No problems.
Not leaking from the join to the engine/box afterall. From what I can see, its leaking from one of the cups on the Diff where the drive shaft connects to the box. It was pulled out slightly, pushed it back in and the leak stopped. Although I presume it shouldn't just pull in and out?
The garage I bought the car from changed said drive shaft prior to me buying the car. Possible there was a retaining clip they forgot to put back in?
Not leaking from the join to the engine/box afterall. From what I can see, its leaking from one of the cups on the Diff where the drive shaft connects to the box. It was pulled out slightly, pushed it back in and the leak stopped. Although I presume it shouldn't just pull in and out?
The garage I bought the car from changed said drive shaft prior to me buying the car. Possible there was a retaining clip they forgot to put back in?
Older manual gearbox oil is FOUL!! smells like cats pee (EP 80/90) semi synthetic is not as pungent but has a faint wiff of the same, brake fluid will leave your skin dry after wiping it off but unless old tends not to smell of much at all really, auto trans fluid (red/pink stuff) will smell of rotten eggs if it's old and burnt.
Sounds like the circlip has snapped on the inner spline IF it uses one ?
Sounds like the circlip has snapped on the inner spline IF it uses one ?
I'd say the EP stuff is much more sulfurous (obnoxious "clear the lift" farts) than ammoniacal (cat pee remnants in the bottom of the cats' tray). But then my sense of smell ain't what it could be 
.
The difference is noticeable, and if it's EP gear oil you'll be able to tell with a damn good close-up sniff!
But check if your car takes the EP stuff in its 'box, or just engine oil which won't smell of much at all...
.The difference is noticeable, and if it's EP gear oil you'll be able to tell with a damn good close-up sniff!
But check if your car takes the EP stuff in its 'box, or just engine oil which won't smell of much at all...
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff