Where is this fluid coming from?

plumbfisher · Jun 1, 2013

Hello all. My first time on this forum, and I could do with some help please. It's a P38 2.5 DT Auto that I got a couple of months ago.
There's some sort of fluid coming from the floor level vent on driver's side on the transmission tunnel. It's odourless and colourless and I can't see any levels decreasing in the various reservoirs under the bonnet. There's not much, and I can stuff a bit of kitchen roll in to mop it up every week. Looks like it's been doing it for a long time as the carpet was full of it when I got it. Got that dried out now, but where's it coming from?

everlatesparky · Jun 1, 2013

Welcome!
Do a search for o rings....then cry for a while

Saint.V8 · Jun 2, 2013

+1 to O Rings....

These little bastids seal the incoming pipes from the engine bay into the Heater Matrix manifold. Over time they go brittle and leak. They are located on the drivers side of the heater box which is why the tell-tale is wet carpets on the drivers side transmission tunnel and footwell.

Now heres the kick in the pants....they can be a total sod to replace!!

Plenty of shortcuts to get to them, but is not a job for the faint of heart it can get very frustrating!

Good luck!

Stufer · Jun 2, 2013

Er, if its odourless and colourless as stated, is that not water? Especially if coolant level is not dropping. If rainwater, I'll post you some pics of where it is likely to be leaking later, too knackered to find them at 2am.

Datatek · Jun 2, 2013

Air con drain pipes blocked or rainwater getting in.

gfromleeds · Jun 2, 2013

+1 rain water
Cos i get it regular in my pasenger side seems its driping rather than running cos it gets ontop of my rubber mats and only seam to do it wen its been raining
Thought for a long time it was just down to wet foot prints but it does it when no ones been in passenger side only does it hen stood in rain never when driving

john-sussex · Jun 2, 2013

on two I've had the covers over the filters start to leak and let water in. one place to check.

EntropyUK · Jun 2, 2013

I did see a post that said that if it tasted sweet then its coolant. Don't know how true that is?

Grit Valve · Jun 2, 2013

Your know if its I rings your expansion tank will drop in water level.

That's if its got a sting mix if antifreeze in the first place if not as suggested water ingress

Stufer · Jun 2, 2013

The screw that's in the picture just off centre was the cause of my rainwater leakage into the footwell. It can do it either side. It can really pour in here, bypassing the pollen filter cover, straight down the filter duct. Needs over sealing with silicone as a quick fix.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1370196316.953309.jpg

merlinpjl · Jun 2, 2013

It sounds to me like the the air-con drains are blocked. If you get underneath and have a look above the gearbox, there are two drain pipes coming through the transmission tunnel, they are black rubber and have a crossed opening (you will know what that means when you see them) push a screwdriver in to open the 4 flaps, if lots of water comes out, you have found the issue. Once drained, clean the inside of the pipes, I wrapped some rag round a screwdriver and wiped them clean, do both sides. I check them every time I have a need to get under the car.

doz · Jun 2, 2013

+1 on the air con drains. I had to blow mine through with an air line. ****ed loads of water out after that. Now just a gentle trickle

Saint.V8 · Jun 2, 2013

EntropyUK said:
I did see a post that said that if it tasted sweet then its coolant. Don't know how true that is?

Yep - Bitter sweet is coolant
Soapy is washer fluid
Slimey and slightly burnt tasting is Engine Oil
Slimey and a hint of fishy is L322 ZF Gearbox Oil
Slimey and Red coloured is Autobox or Powersteering fluid
Bitter and sharp is Battery Acid!

plumbfisher · Jun 3, 2013

Thanks for all your replies! Looks like I've a bit more research to do... It's not rainwater coming in for sure. And I haven't used the aircon so not the drain either. Don't really fancy doing the taste test for anti-freeze but it might come to that... It doesn't evapourate like plain water - is this a sign?
Thanks again, I'll let you know when I find out for sure.

plumbfisher · Jun 3, 2013

Yuck! Yup, it's anti-freeze alright. So thanks again to Saint.V8 and everlatesparky for hitting the nail on the head right away. Now to see about those O rings ...
Saint - you ever done any wine tasting?!

Saint.V8 · Jun 3, 2013

plumbfisher said:
Yuck! Yup, it's anti-freeze alright. So thanks again to Saint.V8 and everlatesparky for hitting the nail on the head right away. Now to see about those O rings ...
Saint - you ever done any wine tasting?!

Only once, couldn't get the hang of all the poncey 'Hint of Oak with undertones of tempered amber infused with the bouquet of Dutch tulips'.....give me a break

Where is this fluid coming from?

plumbfisher

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everlatesparky

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Saint.V8

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Stufer

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Datatek

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gfromleeds

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john-sussex

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EntropyUK

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Grit Valve

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Stufer

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merlinpjl

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doz

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Saint.V8

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plumbfisher

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