Unknown Fluid Leak

DEV1ST8R · May 31, 2005

I've noticed that the wheel-well area of the driver-side is pretty wet with fluid. . .while the passenger-side is as dry as a desert. I've also noticed that where I park, there's an area about 10" in diameter, about 3" directly inside of the driver-side/front wheel.

On a clean driveway, the fluid looks exactly like motor oil - but it's not coming from the oil pan or drain plug area, and the engine is complety dry also. I just cleaned everything off and I'm waiting to be able to see exactly where it's coming from after I cleaned it out.

Anybody have any ideas so far?

mmmikkke · May 31, 2005

Wild guess: A factory hose clamp is coming loose on either the ps fluid cooler or the engine oil cooler.

It'll get worse quickly. Plus it's not too good for your left front disc brake.

DEV1ST8R · May 31, 2005

(It's not inside the wheel, I meant to say on the ground, the leak is 3" from the inside of the tire.) I just looked under it and it's definitely dripping off of the front differential, but I can't tell where it's dripping from. . .it doesn't appear to be coming from the gasket.

mmmikkke · May 31, 2005

If you have an aux cooler leak, here's how it progresses. While driving, the leak is dripping from the front bumper area, horizontally, towards the rear of the truck.

It ends up dripping across to the tire, and since the tire is spinning, centrifugal force causes it to "spray" all over the inside of your wheel well.

It also drips horizontally to the front axle, where it accumulates because the axle housing is not spinning like the tire is.

Then after you park the truck, the drips that have accumulated on the axle housing are able to run down off the housing and drip to the ground.

asilverblazer · May 31, 2005

Have you checked the differential vent. it comes out around there somewhere.

slaterx2 · June 4, 2005

its the seal at the front diff. look for the coupler inside the cv joint.

71GMC_3/4T · June 4, 2005

Check the oil cooling lines coming from the filter area to the radiator. They are metal most of the way, but have a rubber flex hose part pretty much right under the P/S pump. Mine were leaking and I had them replaced under warranty. Cheap chinese junk I assume.