Red fluid by FL tire

[GoldStar611]

So as of a few months ago, the Alero was paid off. Yesterday I pulled up and after a few hours noticed that red fluid was dripping underneath the car right next to the tires. I'm really hoping this is a brake problem because I don't want to deal with another LIMG especially with this damned thing paid off already :cry: I didn't get a chance to check it out as I've been sick this whole week, can anyone else second it as maybe a brake losing fluid?

[Vtolds]

Bet its either Radiator fluid or Auto Trans Fluid...Brake Fluid is not red.

[surreal_awakening]

Assuming you are still using genuine orange DexCool, it could be coolant. The other guess would be tranny fluid, as vtolds stated. Brake fluid should not be red. It should either be watery (coolant) or oily (trans fluid).

[alerored04]

I am guessing trans fluid. Not cool.

[rowdygls]

I would get a better look exactly where its leaking, but if it's more red then anything..tranny. Although I have the same thing but mine was more brown and further in towards the center of the car.

[TheMeaningOfLife]

Hows it smell, dont trans fluid have its own smell to it? Ive alwasy thought so.

[Redog]

If it's where I think it is, it's the tranny lines.

Not too bad of a fix. The "O" ring inside the lines crack and go. My mech fixed my lines and it cost me $150, but most mechs usually just replace the lines which are $300.

The "O" ring itself is $30 :eek:

[[ion] C2]

Hows it smell, dont trans fluid have its own smell to it? Ive alwasy thought so.
should lick it too to see if it tastes right

[lonnie]

This is one of my fears that after all this time and finally getting this thing paid off that it is going to take a crap on me. July and all paid for then what? Red fluid could be power steering right? Or def brake fluid either way it needs to be checked out.

[rowdygls]

If it's where I think it is, it's the tranny lines.

Not too bad of a fix. The "O" ring inside the lines crack and go. My mech fixed my lines and it cost me $150, but most mechs usually just replace the lines which are $300.

The "O" ring itself is $30 :eek:

Did the car sound/run any different in reverse or drive ??

^^Lonnie - Red fluid is tranny and it should be red, power steering is brownish (think fresh/clean oil)

[Redog]

Hows it smell, dont trans fluid have its own smell to it? Ive alwasy thought so.


I know the DEX I'm using in the Delta smells like used socks, can't wait to get that leak fixed.

Never really smelled the Alero's but since it's also DEX, I would think it smells the same

[Jferg2223]

His Car is Bleeding.

[[ion] C2]

Red fluid could be power steering right? Or def brake fluid
brake fluid comes in clear and blue, i don't think they sell red DOT3

[[ion] C2]

can anyone else second it as maybe a brake losing fluid?

open your hood. look at the brake fluid reservoir, see what color it is. lol

[surreal_awakening]

....and see if it's low or not!

[mfuller]

Coolant has a very sweet smell to it.
Brake fluid is usuallly clear to amber (although it can be blue).
Trans fluid can range from pink to red to brown.

[lonnie]

C2;350097']brake fluid comes in clear and blue, i don't think they sell red DOT3
:lol: Guess I shouldn't have put that red stuff in there then!:lol: LOL


Brain Fart!

[Vinalero]

Trans fluid is also thicker than dexcool. And is bright red (when clean).

Since its near FL tire, my guess also goes to trans Fluid.

[GoldStar611]

I'm pretty sure it's not my coolant, because I've mixed so many different colors in there it wouldn't be the red color I saw yesterday. I do see something that particularly worries me and put up some pictures, I don't think I've ever cleaned my engine bay but know for sure that these sludge deposits have delveloped recently. I'm leaning towards transmission maybe, but it doesn't add up to being on the front left of the car. I'm gonna sell the damn thing if it's the intake gasket again.

http://www.goldstar611.com/S5000337.JPG
http://www.goldstar611.com/S5000338.JPG

[edit]
Trash that I just had a coolant flush and fill a few months ago so I think I'm screwed with dexcool problem again.

[alerored04]

That is obviously the intake gasket. You should have told us it was on the lim valley. We all could have identified it with out pics. Wipe it off and see how long it takes to come back. You can then judge the severity of the leak. Don't take it somewhere to get fixed, do it yourself, way way way cheaper.