Fluid leak - wet spot on frame

[LEerkes]

I believe I've seen a similar question in the past but can't find it via the search function.



Right behind the drivers side front wheel-well the frame is wet, there is enough moisture for an infrenquent drip. The fluid looks like oil but doesn't feel slippery enough. I've checked fluid levels and everything looks OK, it seems like it would be brake fluid but the resevoir is full. There are fuel lines running right over the wet spot but the fluid does not smell like diesel.



Anybody else see anything like this? Any thoughts?

 

[sbrennan007]

Any color, smell etc. . from it? Maybe just something from the factory. Wipe it clean and see if it returns or not.

 

[LEerkes]

Good questions...



It's black and oily in appearance but I suppose anything would turn black in that environment with all the road grime thrown up there.



It is a recent appearance, I will wipe it off and watch it for a while. However, I'm an experienced leak watcher and this one is fresh.

 

[Bertram65]

I cannot remember which side the condensation hose is on for the AC but it leaks on the frame in one of the wheel wells.

 

[ThomasLawrence]

A/C condensate drains on the passenger side. On the driver's side frame rail, just behind the axle, is a distribution block for the brake system. I'd suspect this first. Spray the entire area down with brake cleaner, and when dry, coat it with some talcum powder. Start the truck, and pump the brakes (hard) several times. The talcum will clearly show even a minor leak. It may be as simple as tightening down one of the brake fittings on that block.



I'm assuming that it's the outside of the frame that's wet. If it's the inside of the frame rail, suspect the crankcase blowby drain tube, which is the large black plastic hose sticking straight down from the rear of the engine. It could be some blowby that's coming out of this tube.



-Tom

 

[nickleinonen]

the fuel/water separator drain is also on the drivers side. maybe the valve is slightly cracked open so fuel can seep past it when the lift pump is running?

 

[BrentKaiser]

Had a leaking brake booster on my truck at 130 miles. Leaked right behind drivers front wheel almost as far back as under the door. Use a clean white rag and see if it has any color to it.