Red Fluid Spraying Up Under Hood

[3400MAN]

I have a 3.4L GT Coupe. If you are facing the engine from the front of the car, there is a fine spray of red fluid (very small amount) spraying from down under the serpentine belt towards the front of the engine. Is this the waterpump? I have a haynes manual but I noticed it after I got to work this morning. Looks like it is coming from the area of the lowest pulley closest to the front of the car on the left if facing the engine.

Since it looks like red dexcool I am assuming it is the waterpump. Can anyone confirm this for me?

[Dr_Kyle]

red sounds like transmission fluid. Dexcool is more of an orange color.

[3400MAN]

I just went out and started the car, and nothing showed. However, after it had been sitting overnight it was spraying a little. It doesen't smell like anything either. But I have a gallon of dexcool at home and it looks to be the same color. However, I did just have the tranny flushed about 10 days ago. If I had a leak, do you think it would be on the left hand side beneath the passenger side headlight near the large pulley underneath?

[fishhunter911]

power steering fluid?

[Craig99SE2]

I second the Power Steering fluid ... OR ... it could be the oil seeping from the A/C Compressor. Does anyone know what color oil is added to the freon?

[Molson]

Originally posted by fishhunter911
power steering fluid?

I was thinking the same.. Either that or ATF.

[Mystery8]

If it were orange like in color, i'd say it might be coolant - either cause the cap isn't on right, or because of overflow. (there is a small tube that spills out any overflow, which might make you think you have a leak, it's attached to the coolant tank)

Green is a/c fluids and such isn't it? Red is p/s fluid...Orange/pink coolant...Right? :p

[Molson]

Coolant = orange
Power steering = brown/red
ATF = Red
Brake Fluid = clear/brown
A/C - Dunno, its gas really, so clear?
Engine oil - gold/brown/black

[AaronGAGT]

maybe you're bumping your purge button and they make dyed n2o nowadays.... :thumbs:

[Craig99SE2]

Originally posted by Molson
A/C - Dunno, its gas really, so clear?

It is a gas, but they add an oil to lubricate the compressor and I don't know what color it is. If you take a pure white rag, place it over the Schrader and purge some out, you'll see a fine oil mist on the rag.

[Molson]

true true. I would guess just normal oil color. Like, goldy browny.

[3400MAN]

It could be power sterring fluid I suppose. It just leaves a little red drop on the plastic cover that says Ram Air on it. I see a drop or two when I lift the hood. Then on the underside of the hood I see that it has sprayed a little just above the belts. t is not thick or anything, it looks red like a cherry cough drop and does not smell like anything. I can see that some of it has dried on the lower left radiator hose if you are standing in front of the car. All of this is in the area of the power steering box, waterpump, etc. Can't really see where it is coming from because the leak is so light right now.

[fishhunter911]

you can go to pepboys or autozone and buy a die to put in it.. just a couple of drops will do... run it for a lil while then hit it with a black light or a uv light... check all around the power steering pump and you should see where it is coming from.. if it isnt there then add some one at a time to each systems and recheck.. when you see the fluid luminate then you have found what is leaking and then you can pinpoint where the leak is

[ALPINE99GAGT]

Id say check the transmission lines going in to the radiator there on the left side with the car running. I had the same problem right after my trans was flushed a couple days later the trans line was leaking running down and dripping on the bottom pulley.

[Hot_Stud18]

Its probably the coolant I seen newer cars have the reddish fluid stuff leaking from the water pump and leaving it around the serpentine belt area. But I would take it somewhere just to see what they think.

[Craig99SE2]

What does it taste like? Seriously ... if I was that stumped, I'd try it. That little bit won't hurt and will definitely distinguish between a coolant or petroleum product! :D

[Dr_Kyle]

Did you ever solve this problem? I am having the same problem and I think you were right about it being the waterpump.

[cavingman]

i know i mistaked trans fluid for dexcool when i got in my accident. kind of hard to tell between the two.

[3400MAN]

Well. Funny you should ask. I coulden't nail down the problem myself and I had an appointment for this Saturday. Diden't make it. Yesterday a SES light came on. I went to reset the computer by unplugging the battery. After 90 minutes I went outside and reconnected, positive first. Nothing. I can't even get to crank. Lights dim, keyless entry does not work. Car won't start. If I had to guess, I would say Water Pump.

[Mystery8]

Originally posted by 3400MAN
Well. Funny you should ask. I coulden't nail down the problem myself and I had an appointment for this Saturday. Diden't make it. Yesterday a SES light came on. I went to reset the computer by unplugging the battery. After 90 minutes I went outside and reconnected, positive first. Nothing. I can't even get to crank. Lights dim, keyless entry does not work. Car won't start. If I had to guess, I would say Water Pump.

Make sure that the battery is connected completely. Take off the connectors and clean them with a wire brush. Make absolutely sure that the positive and negative are both securely connected with the battery. You should not be able to tigthen them by hand, or loosen them.

[KevinT]

Can I just throw something out here real quick :D Wouldn't the big difference between coolant and power steering fluid (or trans fluid) be that one is watery, and one is oily? If there was a coolant leak, it would basically dry up, and at best leave a small orange stain. Now transmission fluid would cause a real mess, and wouldn't just dry up. A bad water pump also shouldn't have anything to do with your car's electrical system not working. It just sounds like you somehow hooked up your battery incorrectly.

[3400MAN]

I am not saying that problems are one in the same. My previous problem has not been solved. It still looks like coolant to me. It's been leaking for about 3 weeks now. Sat, Sun and Monday I drove a lot of miles and some of them pretty hard. Monday afternoon while in traffic I looked down and saw a service engine light come on. So I went home and disconnected my battery for 90 minutes. Positive and Negative. After 90 mintues I reattached the battery terminals and the car will not start. The (2) problems I feel are related. I checked the shifter being sure it was in park all the way. I checked the oil, it was little low, but not too low. Within the operating range anyway. When i put the key in, I hear a clicking when I try to start the car. I am assuming that is the starter. But the keyless entry doesen't work, the headlights are dim to nothing happening, and the car does not crank at all. Just some clicking when I try to start the car. Everthing on the dash, including the clock lights up with the key in, but it just dims out or flickers pretty badly. I can also hear the fuel pump engage.

But the car has been dead since Monday night and noone has even looked at it yet. Any ideas?? Anyway someone can narrow down what might be wrong?

[KevinT]

I hear ya. The first thing I would've done when the SES light came on was have it checked. I mean, that might have told you exacty what was wrong in the first place. These days Auto Zone will check that SES code for free. What was your goal in getting it to turn off?

Have you checked the coolant level in the surge tank to see if it looks low?

It also sounds like you may have your battery cables backwards, or that you just have a battery that needs replacing. I would first make sure the cables are hooked up correctly, and then maybe look into getting a new battery (only about $60). You just got to look at it like this: You un-hook the battery, and hook it back up and now you have electrical problems. The only thing that changed was the battery hookup, right? That starter clicking noise usually means it's not getting enough power to operate, and the other things you mentioned just sound like nothing is getting power.

I just trying to point out some things. Hope it helps. :cheers:

[3400MAN]

I am going to go to the shop and recheck the battery to see if that has anything to do with it. Is there a quick way to check the power remaining in the battery? Volt meter?

[Molson]

volt meter / load tester

[KevinT]

Advance Auto Parts or Auto Zone will check that for free also. :thumbs:

[km0599]

Have you solved the leak? My cars ac compressor is bad and it isn't freon that leaks. It is the oil from the compressor itself cause the bearings are bad. When the A/C runs it spits up small amouts of oil stuff. If it is that...your freon will slowly leak out and your a/c will die. Any chances it is that????

[3400MAN]

I'm at work and my car is 15 miles away. I agree that unplugging the battery for 90 minutes with a SES light, but no other obvious problems points to the battery being the reason the car won't start.. I feel that if I can get a new battery in the car, and it starts then I can address the SES light seperately.

[3400MAN]

Went down there around 2:00 p.m. The SES light was for low voltage. The battery was dead! I got home OK, but not knowing my voltage was the issue, I unplugged the battery to reset the PCM to see if the SES light would temp. go away at least until Saturday when I had my next appointment for the slow leak. Still working on that one, I'll post what they find.

[KevinT]

I just talked to my buddy who is a mechanic. He's got a 1998 Dodge Pickup and had the same problem. It was the water pump, and he said that's what they do sometimes before they completely crap out on you. He said it will only happen when the car is not running, so you shouldn't end up losing too much coolant. He replaced the water pump and all was well.

[novadude]

My car is doing this now. I think it is power steering fluid. Did you ever figure out what your problem was?

[71Z28RS]

Ours did that. It was the power steering pump.

You can get a dye added to the R134a gas in your a/c if you want to check that. It is a flouresent green and very noticable.

If it is a coolant leak from your water pump, it will eventually dry up if you let it sit for a while and it's not really oily. If it's your power steering pump, it'll be oily and never dry up.

[preed4962]

FYI, this may help...

Water Pump Weep (Install Coolant Collector) #01-06-02-012 - (11/30/2001)
Water Pump Weep (Install Coolant Collector)
1996-1998 Buick Skylark

1996-2002 Chevrolet Cavalier

1997-1999 Chevrolet Malibu

1996-1998 Oldsmobile Achieva

1999-2001 Oldsmobile Alero

1996-2001 Pontiac Grand Am

1996-2002 Pontiac Sunfire

with 2.4L Engine (VIN T - RPO LD9)

Condition
Some owners may comment on leakage of a few drops of coolant after parking their vehicle. A technician may notice that the water pump may show a staining around the weep hole.

Cause
The occasional drop of coolant and the staining may be the evidence of normal coolant weepage. The weep hole prevents normal coolant weepage from accumulating around the bearing seal. For more information on this normal condition, refer to Corporate Bulletin Number 00-06-02-009.

Correction
Replacing the water pump for this normal weepage is likely to result in a repeat of the customer concern. To address customer concerns and promote customer satisfaction, a coolant collector has been developed to trap and absorb normal weepage of the pump. The coolant collector is a hinged, two-part collar that easily snaps around the neck of the water pump. Installing this new part is quick and effective and reduces unnecessary water pump replacement.

The coolant collector has a limited capacity to absorb coolant. If diagnosis with a pressure test of the coolant system indicates a failed pump seal, or if the customer concern is for coolant consumption, installing the coolant collector will not correct the condition.

Coolant Collector Installation
Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in the General Information subsection of the applicable Service Manual.
Place the open hinged coolant collector around the narrow neck area of the water pump. Position the hinged portion towards the front of the vehicle. Close the coolant collector, ensuring the tongue enter the latch. Exert pressure to lock the coolant collector in place until an audible click is heard, which ensure retention.
Lower the vehicle.
Parts Information
The coolant collector is available as part of an updated water pump kit and is also available separately.

Part Number
Description
Qty

12573729
Coolant Collector
1


Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:

Labor Operation
Description
Labor Time

J3701
Water Pump, Coolant Collector - Install
0.3 hr




GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION

[novadude]

Thanks. In my case, I am pretty sure it is PS fluid, and not coolant. It is more oily than dexcool, and more clear than reddish.

[3400MAN]

It was my water pump. I replaced it and all is well now.

[HighlyBoosted66]

just taste a little bit to see if it is antifreeze or not

[AaronGTR]

Way to drag up a six year old thread. :applause: I think the problem has been fixed by now. ;)

[PhantomLover007]

http://www.holyshihtzuforum.com/users/2914/18/67/94/smiles/503807.gif

[Panacea]

Seriously dude? Wow.

But, just to humor everyone, here's the answer to this 6 year old question. It's the water pump. No leakage under the car, but sure did spray on the underside of the hood. Had the pump replaced twice on mine.

[KhellendrosxS]

just taste a little bit to see if it is antifreeze or not

Somebody trying to boost post count to reach the 30 quota to post in AAG?

[Laser57]

If somebody put transmission fluid in the power steering pump instead of power steering fluid (common practice with older cars) it could have eaten through the seals and is being slung arround by the power steering pump pully.