orange coloured fluid loss from front of engine

[42847]

my w202 2000w c200 has been leaving a 6inch x 6inch pool of fluid,too thin for engine oil,under front of engine for last 48hrs......power steering level ok brake fluid level ok but cant check autobox cos dipstick is missing my haynes manual says dipstick was an optional extra.....what can it be? does aircon have fluid.....it is dripping through small hole in the drip tray under front of engine on the nearside there are alot of pipes in that area..any advice

 

[television]

It would not be Air con gas, so that leaves engine ,gearbox , power sterring and water.
You could rub it between your fingers, is it oily ?, does it smell.

You could buy an aerosol of de oiler/greaser spray the bottom of the area where you think it is coming from, then wash it down, that makes it easier to see where it is coming from.
You could put your finger under each of the hose pipe clips on the hoses to see if they are wet underneath.

malcolm

 

[panason1c]

my w202 2000w c200 has been leaving a 6inch x 6inch pool of fluid,too thin for engine oil,under front of engine for last 48hrs......power steering level ok brake fluid level ok but cant check autobox cos dipstick is missing my haynes manual says dipstick was an optional extra.....what can it be? does aircon have fluid.....it is dripping through small hole in the drip tray under front of engine on the nearside there are alot of pipes in that area..any advice

Sounds like engine coolant fluid to me....have you checked the level?

 

[carabind]

yes, sounds like rusty coolant to me also. have you checked coolant level?
Try and shine a light on the raidiator core - might have been punctured by road debris.

 

[Blobcat]

Agree rusty coolant. I've notice previously on cars with a plastic header tank when you glance at it from the outside it looks to be full. When you take the cap off you realise you were looking at an old water stain and the water has all gone :sad:

 

[Stevie A]

Would the coolant be rusty in a 6 year old car? Maybe coolant but surely it can't be rusty in a 6 year old car. Have a look in your coolant top up tank and if there are signs of rust then maybe it is coolant.

I think it could be autobox transmission fluid, as this is red.

 

[42847]

coolant spot on power steering fluid spot on brake fluid spot on pools of oil everytime has oily substance autobox cannot be checked cos no dipstick but not bright red on driveway car had gearbox overhaul 4000m ago inc new fluid car only done 145k with full history we have 5 other cars 3 being autos when they lose fluid it is bright red this isnt until mechanic checks it on tues i,m lost

 

[television]

coolant spot on power steering fluid spot on brake fluid spot on pools of oil everytime has oily substance autobox cannot be checked cos no dipstick but not bright red on driveway car had gearbox overhaul 4000m ago inc new fluid car only done 145k with full history we have 5 other cars 3 being autos when they lose fluid it is bright red this isnt until mechanic checks it on tues i,m lost

What I said earlier, get a spray can of degreaser, spray it all over the area then hose off and leave it to dry, once its clean it will be simple to find.

malcolm

 

[rio678]

coolant can be rusty if not changed often enough, if it feels oily it is more likely transmission fluid from autobox, powersteering pump or rack,

 

[42847]

orange fluid loss

to keep you all informed the leak is a corroded auto box pipe to oil cooler it is being replaced at this moment red autobox fluid turning orange by corroded pipe before it hits the ground thanks for all your input

 

[mioba]

to keep you all informed the leak is a corroded auto box pipe to oil cooler it is being replaced at this moment red autobox fluid turning orange by corroded pipe before it hits the ground thanks for all your input

Thanks for posting a follow up. It nice to read the outcome of a thread enabling other members to be aware incase of any potential issues. I just wish other people would conclude threads in a likewise manner

 

[panason1c]

42847...........Thanks for the update.


Stevie A........Spot on.

 

[42847]

orange fluid loss

thank you for appreciation

 

[jimsinessex]

Angela, again I would add my thanks for the update.

On my 1999 CLK which has the same gearbox oil cooler arrangement as the C class I had already noticed the auto g/box oil inlet pipe to the oil radiator was showing signs of corrosion (this is the pipe on the offside of a RH drive car).

I have already bought the replacement pipe which had to be sent from Germany and intend to change it at the next g/box oil change.

This pipe is hidden under the plastic undertray at the front of the engine. For some reason the corresponding return pipe on the n/s of the radiator is still in pristine condition.
Part number is MA202 270 16 96, beware - my local MB stealership ordered the wrong pipe first time!!!

It would seem advisable for all CLK and C class owners to have this checked after a few years, could save a fortune on gearbox repairs.

Jim