tiny puddle of oil under car

[southeastastra]

anyone hazard a guess why, been googling for ages. it's sat so mechanic isn't open but it's only a tiny bit.

on drivers side right near the front.

[FluffyBunnyGoneBad]

Hole in the oli tank? Already there before you moved the car there? Move the car again and see if there's another one.

[southeastastra]

i moved it yesterday and there is another one today, seems to be alot of oil around the belt thing and near the tank, maybe it's leaking from there. is only a tiny tiny bit though on the ground.

[FluffyBunnyGoneBad]

It takes time to drip onto the floor. Best to get it looked at.

[BionicleBill]

Oh dear, I thought it said 'under cat'

Sorry had to share that

[southeastastra]

would be simple if it were under the cat

oh well thanks bunny, why do i only notice these things at the weekend grr

[NetworkNanniesSurrey]

What colour is the oil? It could be power steering fluid or gearbox oil. These could have a red/green/blue tint.

Check your engine oil level and if it is down past the bottom notch on the dipstick you should either top it up with the manufacturers suggested oil or not start it until you can get it checked.

Even though you only have a small puddle it might have a more serious leak but be dripping onto the undertray (a protective cover under the car) so you will only see a small amount that drips from the undertray.

If you have oil leaking from your cat then your are in for some serious cost as the cat is there to filter the exhaust if there is oil in it then your engine is "knackered".

Whatever happens, you will need to have it looked at before you drive it anywhere too far as when the engine heats up the oil thins out and leaks faster.

[southeastastra]

it's orange, i think it's coolant

[southeastastra]

(i put some card under it) nutter

[NetworkNanniesSurrey]

Hmmm, may be rusty water from your radiator then. What type of car and how old? If it has the old style radiator at the front with a metal twist cap on it open it and have a look to see if there is anything in there. MAKE SURE IT IS COLD as pressurised hot water turns to steam when the pressure is released. You dont want to cook your fingers!

If you have a newer car it might have an expansion tank located near the back of the engine. This is normally see through and will have a water level mark on it (min/max) make sure the water level is visible and between the marks. Once again, make sure its cold as this reading can be lower when hot.

It could be a rubber hose that has worn through or perished over time. It might b a simple fix, but be aware that if it burst when you are driving, apart from scaring you half to death, your engine will overheat and cut out really fast. This is really bad for your engine.

If once you check these you still cannot find the leak then definatly take it to a garage to get it checked. It could be from the engine itself.

[nannynick]

orange fluid - could be brake fluid... may be leaking from the master cylinder. I've had that happen - not good. Have all fluid levels checked by garage/mechanic.

[flyingdolphin]

My coolant isn't orange, but it could be rusty or something - if you think it is coolant then have it checked out - could be a problem with the water pump, which is important as if it gets too serious then you could find yourself overheating the engine and causing engine damage.

It is a pita if it is the water pump - means changing the water pump and often the distribution belt as well.

Put some more coolant it and see whether the level drops too fast when you run the car, it only leaks when the engine is running. also, keep a careful eye on the temperature gage - it can go up pretty quickly if you run out of coolant fast.