Fluid leak Holden Epica

[Benjamin K]

Hey guys, bit of a weird one here.

My missus car (2007 holden epica *HER car, not mine lol*) has been out of action for the last week with a rooted battery (It was playing up for a week and the last time she jump started it she said she could smell a burning smell coming from the air con, I was at work 600km away so can't tell you what the smoke smelt like). Anyways, today she went to clean it and there was a massive puddle of brown fluid on the passenger side of the car. It was the colour of coke, had a slight smell to it and I couldn't for the life of me guess what it was. I took a sample around to my dad who thought it smelt like oil, but it is a water soluble fluid and well how the hell would oil get past the firewall. All fluids seem normal bar engine oil which is a little bit low.

I checked the area around and behind the glove box and couldn't pin point a leak.

So what are your thoughts? Possibly just a cracker heater hose? Dad thinks possible blown AC condensor or compressor. Can't say that one yet because it doesn't have a working battery lol

PS: I'm going to have fun stripping the carpets out to clean this shizzle up. So think of me while your wathcing the V8's and drinking beers

[Biznatch303]

So it's leaking into the cabin then? If it's a fluid it's not A/C because its a gas/ bright green liquid. Coolant in the epica should be an orange colour. The tranny oil in it usually goes brownish- black colour, will smell sweetish. Engine oil would be the closest thing to "coke" colour i'd say. P/steer oil if it has not been changed yet the factory oil is a goldish brown colour not red.

Epicas are known for p/steer leaks and auto cooler coupling leaks.

[Biznatch303]

Also depending on how old it is it may have electronic steering similar to the astras

[Benjamin K]

Yeah bud, leaking into the passenger foot well.

So I don't believe it can be any of those oils you mentioned. Been googling and I've found in other cars (volvos and stuff) they keep saying heater leaks. You thinking along the same lines?

[Benjamin K]

Speaking of which, in the manual version 07, I can't find a way to check clutch and transmission fluids, and females been females she's lost the manual. How do I check them two?

[vkberlina]

my money would be on a heater core

take it for a drive with the heater on and check to see if more water arrives and it would be warm to touch.

Secondly it wouldnt be rusty water? being an 07 model i wouldnt think so but you could have a leaky windscreen if its been out in the rain

scott

[Benjamin K]

my money would be on a heater core

take it for a drive with the heater on and check to see if more water arrives and it would be warm to touch.

Secondly it wouldnt be rusty water? being an 07 model i wouldnt think so but you could have a leaky windscreen if its been out in the rain

scott

Not rusty water, car has been in a car port for over a week now.

[Mbro]

when people mix red and green radiator coolant it turns to a brown colour, could it be that?

[Benjamin K]

when people mix red and green radiator coolant it turns to a brown colour, could it be that?

Yeah it was coolant, I manned up and put my toungue to it. Spent all of yesterday trying to get to the heater core (which was leaking pretty hardocre might I add) but the screws for the dash are in frikkin redicilous places and I gave up and just bypassed the heater core. We live in Darwin and don't really need a heater so it can just stay that way for a while. Me and my brother spent 6 hours trying to get the dash out but it was put in the too hard basket. Will oay a mechanic to do it when the funds loosen up a bit.

[Benjamin K]

Now I need to get the coolant out of the car. Obviously it will barely evaoprate on it's own. So what do you guys recommend. It's a fairly decent amount in there and I'm thinking it's a rip the carpet and insulation out kind of job at the moment.

Or is there an easier way I could go about it?

[woteva]

Or is there an easier way I could go about it?

Try some stopleak in it like Chemiweld or the radiator tablets made from crushed walnut shells.
This stuff says its good for heater core leaks --> Calibre Radiator Stop Leak - 300mL - Supercheap Auto Australia

[Mbro]

i dont know if it will work or not.


but when i got my interior steam clenaed it was alll wet, i just left the windows open for a few days, now its good as gold