leaking fluid

[jake_h03]

I've just recently bought a VT S, and have noticed some fluid leaking from under the car. I don't know much at all about cars and I'm not going to pretend to. This is the first car I've owned, so hoping someone could help me out. The fluid seems to be odourless and pretty much just like water, but there was quite a lot of it. I was thinking possibly power steering fluid?? But I really have no idea.. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[HARVZ-6]

Nice choice of car man

and to the point,

if its power steering fluid it will be red in colour

have you noticed roughly where its leaking from?

it sounds stupid, but try tasting it.. like just a tiny bit on your finger it could just be condensation coming from the heater box

[nick3110]

did you have the A/C on before you parked on the spot? lol

[jake_h03]

did you have the A/C on before you parked on the spot? lol

Haha good point, no it wasn't turned on, but there was a reason I was thinking it could be something to do with the A/C. I just picked up the car today after the A/C was repaired yesterday. As I said I don't know a lot about cars other than what I like, so I'm no sure if this makes any difference or not. Cheers for the help

[danja]

Most fluid in your car are oil-based, and will stick around.

Engine oil will be sticky and black, power steering or transmission fluid is slightly less sticky, but will have an odour. Brake or clutch fluid rarely leaks.

In all likelihood it's from the aircon. When the aircon has been running cold, humid air will condense on the cold parts and drip water out when you park. Nothing to worry about.

[chargedvx6]

If the fluid is dripping onto the ground round about the left side of the transmission and is evaporating with no marks left the next day it will be condensation from the a/c compressor. Like the others said, dark oil with a mechanical smell is engine, trans is abit lighter reddish colour but will have an almost sweet smell to it. Either way, don't stress because that's what commodores do from time to time lol

[jake_h03]

OK, I checked it out a bit more thoroughly yesterday and there's a leaking hose, I think it's a radiator hose.. It's the really thick one anyway. I took it for a drive then came back and popped the hood and heard a spitting noise, and the hose was leaking bright green fluid (which is radiator coolant right?) But it has been leaking a huge amount of fluid on to the ground, could all this be from the leak? And also could I have done any greater damage than a stuffed hose? Thanks

[danja]

Ha! I can't believe I didn't think of coolant the first time I replied

Yes, a green, watery fluid will be from your cooling system. There are two large hoses at the front of the engine (one near the top, and one nearer the ground) which carry coolant between the engine block and the radiator. Like all rubber hoses they deteriorate over time and develop leaks.

When the system is at operating temperature, the entire system becomes pressurised, which will exacerbate any leaks, and can easily result in large amounts of fluid being lost quite quickly.

In terms of damage done, provided the engine hasn't severely overheated from a lack of coolant, you should be fine. The VT will sound an audible warning when the engine temp goes over about 115 degrees (normal operation is about 90 degrees), and even then if you pull over right away and top up the coolant you will be fine. If you keep driving and the engine gets too hot though, you can damage the internals.

Get the hose fixed ASAP, and while you're at it I'd check the condition of the heater tap and other coolant hoses which could be on the way out.

[jake_h03]

Ha! I can't believe I didn't think of coolant the first time I replied

Yes, a green, watery fluid will be from your cooling system. There are two large hoses at the front of the engine (one near the top, and one nearer the ground) which carry coolant between the engine block and the radiator. Like all rubber hoses they deteriorate over time and develop leaks.

When the system is at operating temperature, the entire system becomes pressurised, which will exacerbate any leaks, and can easily result in large amounts of fluid being lost quite quickly.

In terms of damage done, provided the engine hasn't severely overheated from a lack of coolant, you should be fine. The VT will sound an audible warning when the engine temp goes over about 115 degrees (normal operation is about 90 degrees), and even then if you pull over right away and top up the coolant you will be fine. If you keep driving and the engine gets too hot though, you can damage the internals.

Get the hose fixed ASAP, and while you're at it I'd check the condition of the heater tap and other coolant hoses which could be on the way out.

Cheers mate! I haven't had any temperature warnings so hopefully it's all good. Just quickly, any idea how this would cost to fix up and how long it would take to get done? I'm assuming it's pretty simple

[danja]

Cheers mate! I haven't had any temperature warnings so hopefully it's all good. Just quickly, any idea how this would cost to fix up and how long it would take to get done? I'm assuming it's pretty simple

Yeah, dead simple.

If it's just one of the radiator hoses, I'd expect about $30 for the hose, $10 for coolant, and about half an hour labour to fit it and bleed the system.

[pablo]

If the hose is held on with a screw 'worm' type clamp, try tightening it a bit more to stop the leak, till you get the problem fixed properly.

[banga]

check your radiator tanks as well as they can crack/split and coolant can run down

[D-Man]

OK, I checked it out a bit more thoroughly yesterday and there's a leaking hose, I think it's a radiator hose.. It's the really thick one anyway. I took it for a drive then came back and popped the hood and heard a spitting noise, and the hose was leaking bright green fluid (which is radiator coolant right?) But it has been leaking a huge amount of fluid on to the ground, could all this be from the leak? And also could I have done any greater damage than a stuffed hose? Thanks

if it was just the hose most likley not,

you should have had a warning light come on if the coolant was getting dangerously low. by the sounds it hasnt so you should be right,

just check that the hose is done up tightly... half a turn or so could be the difference between having to buy or not buy a new hose for $30 or w/e (might be cracked in that case get a new one - but no point wasting money.)

[stevoss]

which wanring light is to signify the low coolant level? ive never seen one?