Strange fluid leak
 

Hey, I walked outside to take the trash out this morning, and noticed that there is a 3 inch wet spot under the truck and some time of oil running down of the center bracket for the sterring stabilizer. the fluid is yellow...

I haven't driven it in a few days and temps have been fluctuating pretty significantly.

I was trying to think of any kind of fluid that is yellow?


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...D/IMAG0065.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...D/IMAG0067.jpg

Thoughts?

Is it diesel fuel ? Maybe out of the drain valve

thats what I though initially, and I changed my fuel filter about 2000 miles ago with no issues. It has no diesel smell, and drips like an oil more than a fuel (even though they are both oil)...

I don't think its fuel... I have this feeling that driving it will resolve the issue :) but I should probably figure out what it is.

Anit freeze? If you have the gold stuff??? I don't know I'm just guessing:eek:

I would check the fuel filter cap to make sure it's tight and check the drain tube for the bowl to make sure the o-rings haven't let go?


....Tom

Mines Green...

I'll check that to be 100% sure its not fuel, i noticed a drip hanging off the steering stabilizer bracket in the picture and it was a bright yellow... no strong smell just the faint smell of oil...

The fluid is from the stabilizer itself. It's yellow.

When I flushed my hydraulic system last year, I jacked up the front end of the truck to make it easier for my wife to turn the steering lock-to-lock while pumping out ATF and pouring in new with the engine running.

After repeatedly exercising the steering travel fully many times in rapid succession, I too discovered a yellow fluid directly under the steering dampener. Too much exercise, too rapidly, in too short a time, caused fluid to leak past the piston seals.

Since only a small amount leaked, I haven't noticed any difference in dampening performance, so I have not changed the unit.

Yours is likely leaking from a different reason, like old age of the seals or a nick in the piston.

Pop

Is there another dampner besides the stabilizer, because that isn't even on the truck. I bought a spare to keep with me and tried just not running one. So I don't have a stailizer to leak...

Check your fan clutch, it might be leaking oil.

That is my vote. Got the same leak on mine. Just waiting for my lpop to get here so I can kill a few leaks with one project.

Well, that certainly rules THAT out! :)

Pop

So I should just look behind the main fan behind the radiator? I am more IT geared than mechanics. I am guessing there should be oil on the module that spins the large fan?

Maybe get a flashlight & get under & trace the leak uphill

Yep, I found oil on the flange of the fan. Don't know how much oil is in there. Mine quick leaking so I am thinking it no longer has oil in it and is probably no longer working properly.

Look from underneath. You should be able to reach up to the fan and see if there is oil on the flange under the clutch in the center of the fan.

Ok, so i know this is an old thread, but the leak stopped.
But last night i change to Full syn 5w40 and was checking for leaks, well i found one, but not oil.

It is Antifreeze out of the same location as the original post. Here are pics of where it is coming from.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...D/IMAG0505.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...D/IMAG0504.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...D/IMAG0503.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...D/IMAG0502.jpg

The question: What the hell is that, why is it intermittent, and how do i fix it. :-dancing1

That's the return hose from the heater core. Take it off clean the threads & teflon tape should fix you right up.