Slight fluid leak....

[nick_j007]

Just moved the car out of the garage after standing still for three weeks or so. It was serviced not long ago.

Might be nothing, but I noticed about half a tea spoon of what looks like brown oil where the front left tyre was standing. I've yet to have a look about the wheel area, but any thoughts on what I should be looking for please?

Thanks. Oh. Elise 111r. '08.

Nick

[Mark B]

Could it have dripped as you drove out? If it had been sat any water would have dried I would have thought.

[Stephanie Plum]

First thoughts are possibly a leaking shock or alternatively it could be coolant - it will run away in odd directions because of the undertrays.

Otherwise it could just be water trapped from a previous wet drive which has dripped down - depends on how long it's been sitting I guess.

[nick_j007]

Thank you both. Well I managed a dusk drive out and though this is not unique the pads had seized lightly onto the disks, but with a bit of light back and forth it freed up easily enough. When braking it initially felt bad up front and I feared warped discs, but with a few repeated braking sessions it seemed to wear off and return to a smooth state. I always cool the car down as best I can and not leave the hand brake on.

After the drive I got a torch on both front calliper areas and there appears to be a lot of white bloom all over the callipers which I think is salt. Same both sides. The white dots show this. A little more of concern is the black rubber nipple which sits on top of a valve. It appears to have peeled back at the top and I can see traces of weeping, though no apparent running down anywhere. This is the same side as I had found the small puddle of liquid on.

So, what do you think guys? Frustratingly I am 40 minutes away from Paul Matty's and I am chocca with work next week so my first TD at Bedford may be in doubt if I'm not 100% confident in the brakes.

Nick

[Janitor]

You have a leaky nipple...


You could try to tighten it up a bit - but be careful as they can snap off leaving you with brake fluid running everywhere and the remaining thread stuck in the calliper

[SCEL1SE]

Yep that could possibly explain your leak, as through time sitting, and it being under pressure, could be enough to create a small puddle.
Nip it up, jobs a good un! Or if they are getting on in age, get some new nipples ordered, stick them on!

[nick_j007]

Thanks guys. I have no idea what to do in that area of the car, but tweaking nipples I happen to be an expert at.

Nick