Leak from under splitter

[tuscanpaul]

After having been out for a blast yesterday I noticed a small dark patch on the drive just under the front splitter (nearside). Looking under the car there was a dark patch on the splitter underside-directly underneath the screen wash filler cap (approx 10cm across). It isn't oil as its far to thin, and it isn't coolant as its a little to oily. After much deliberation and lying under the front of the car with the engine running I couldn't see anything leaking, and there is nothing in the front section to leak other than the radiator. I am beginning to think something splahed up onto the underside of the splitter. Anyone got any other ideas?

[koen]

I got the same with my car. Has the liquid a fishy smell ? In that case it is coolant (and it is a little oily).

On my car, it is the connection at the oil cooler which is leaking. The dealer has ordered the new part and will get it fixed next week.

[tuscanpaul]

Thanks Koen, I'll get Castle to have a look next week. It does have a strange smell, so it may be coolant (although I thought it was a little to oily to be coolant).

Paul

[tuscan_s]

Possibly coolant. The coolant pipe is bent in an S shape and at it's tightest kink it touches the air con pipe. I think this perishes the coolant pipe and causes it to split at the bend thus resulting in leakages.

[Graham66]

Do you have Air Con? Could it be water coming out of the condensor from the aircon maybe?

Graham

[ace-t]

We had the same thing - turned out to be a loose connection bolt thingy (dunno right technical term!). TMS tightened it up and it was sorted. It wasn't very loose just became loose when the engine was hot BTW (after a blast as you say )

Cheers

Ace-T

>> Edited by ace-t on Monday 2nd June 21:41

[Maf]

Just picked mine up from the dealer and it is doing this. (The Mrs wants me to point out she noticed this while I was too gobsmaked by the look of the car to be any use).

Anyway, dealer reckons it is coming from the washer bottle (is there a pipe that connects the filler to the reservoir?)

Anyway he was happy that it wasn't oil or coolent (would be green he said). I'll prob take it back in Wednesday to be sorted.

It then started to steam!

This he said was just water collected in the front from washing, falling on the manifold or rads and evapourating. Pretty scary to see though. Needless to say that I am keeping a very close eye on all the temps.

Maf

[Graham66]

Had the "water on the bonnet running running on to hot rads giving off lots of steam all of a sudden" myself, and yes it does make the heart stop! Don't worry about it if the steam clears in a couple of seconds, anthing longer and then start to worry

Graham

[Maf]

Thanks for the kind words Graham.

I am sure your heart stops when it happens having just read the Tuscan history in your profile. I've got all my fingers crossed at the mo that she will go the distance smooth for me. I cross some toes for you too, hope that Rosie doesn't need to go to Blackpool on "business" again.

Maf

[tuscanpaul]

I haven't noticed any water leaks since my original posting. Michael at Castle said it was probably condensate run off from the aircon (even though I don't use it that often)

[Maf]

Phoned up the service guy at my dealer today. He said he didn't think it was washer bottle, more likely just water trapped from when they washed it make its way.

He suggested I topped up the washer bottle to see if it kept doing it. When I did this, the washer bottle was already virtually full so it all sounds plausable.

It has stopped dripping from the front but if I park it pointing up hill I am still getting some drips from the same side but more in the passenger door area. I suppose this could be the trapped water moving with the angle, or it could be condesation off the air conditioning I suppose as I have been running it?

Do they normally drip for two days after you wash them?

I think I might post that question in a new thread.

Maf