Minor Leak - Oil? PS Fluid? Can't Trace It

[swexlin]

I'm trying to trace a very small leak. Sometimes, when I park in my space in my condo development, I find a couple drops of oil (can't tell if it's engine oil, or brake fluid, etc) dripping right from the front passenger side, almost directly behind the bumper. It doesn't do it ALL the time - for instance, at work, where I park in the same space every day, it has been dry.



Went on a little run today, came home, and now there are a couple drops. I can see where it dripped off the front crossmember (??), but I can't see how it accumulated on that. Using a flashlight from above and below, everything looks dry as a bone.



Suggestions on where to look? Thanks.

 

[banshee]

Might check your oil filter. I had a filter that started leaking and it would drip off the filter to the crossmember and then to the ground. It started slow and got steadily worse until I finally changed the filter. See if it has a black dot of oil on the bottom.



John

 

[nickleinonen]

crankcase vent/road draft tube... comes out the top of the engine under the plastic valve cover cover down the drivers side dripping on the crossmember, and from there to the ground... some have extended the tube to the rear to prevent fumes from entering the cab, but scotty warned of the tube freezing and causing crankcase pressure and potentially blowing out seals...

 

[swexlin]

Might check your oil filter. I had a filter that started leaking and it would drip off the filter to the crossmember and then to the ground. It started slow and got steadily worse until I finally changed the filter. See if it has a black dot of oil on the bottom.

Hey, I never even thought of that. Think I'll check it out tomorrow. Still doesn't explain why I can go days without a drip, though.

crankcase vent/road draft tube... comes out the top of the engine under the plastic valve cover cover down the drivers side dripping on the crossmember, and from there to the ground...

No, I already checked that, and the drip is definately coming from somewhere up the the right front side of the engine, right behind the bumper.

 

[swexlin]

I think I found it. It's coolant seepage, coming from where the lower radiator hose goes into the radiator, around that plastic band clamp. That's where it's wet and sticky. Looks like as the weather heats up and cools down, the rubber probably leaks a little bit, and perhaps that is why it is ocassional. We went from BITTER cold, to unseasonably warm (in the 50s right now). The hose seems very tight, however.



I guess when it goes in for regular service next month, I'll have them replace it.