99' Expedition 4.6

I noticed some oil on my garage floor when I had to move my truck. Drops weren't just in one location, they were everywhere so I poked my head underneath to look at the motor because I do have the notorius right head gasket "seep". Fluid is everywhere! In particular under the radiator near the front bumper.

I dont believe it is an engine oil leak because the oil on the dipstick is brown and this fluid is clean and clear and yellow, almost like hydraulic oil. My Radiator fluid looks green and the reservoir looks full. Is it brake fluid or transmission fluid??

It look like something actually sprayed it not just a leak. A powerful explosion maybe?? I know leaks get blown around but this was crazy.

I cranked it up this morning before I noticed the leak and it knocked a little then cleared itself up. It usually knocks anyway when its cold.

Thoughts???

 

whats the coolant and brake fluid level?

 

looks like coolant, pressure test the system, it will show. Smell it, somewhat sweet then its definatly coolant

 

ditch the Fram. . .

 

x2! thats your dry start issue

 

Brake fluid = good = greyish

Power Steering fluid = good = red

Coolant = greenish yellow = barely below cold weather mark

However the coolant has more of a watery consistency.

The leaked fluid is much more viscous, kinda like gearcase oil. Is there a gearcase in the front?

It amazes me how the fluid is spread.

Should I wipe everything down and then start the motor to see if I can see anything??

 

yours is 2wd so theres no differential in the front. it looks like coolant to me but i guess go ahead and clean it up. if you use water be careful not to get any on the top end of the engine.

 

Thanks Matt,

You can see the fluid in th first pic dripping from the 2 lines.

Are there any other fluids in the front besides:

engine oil
coolant
power steering fluid
brake fluid

What about automatic transmission fluid?

 

Tans fluid is red. . .


Take a can of brake clean, spray the entire area that is soaked, make sure its really clean. Drive for a day, then look further for a leak. It reminds of AC oil, but that stuff is a tad more green. . .

 

Have you done a pressure test on the coolant system?

 

Torkum,

Would A/C refrig feel like oil when you rub it between your fingers?

 

if you are only looking at the overflow container when checking the coolant you are not checking the whole system, check the radiator level if possible. Still looks like coolant to me. Smell it

 

Smells like oil.

 

I don't know about your Expy but my truck has a tranny cooler. The lines from the tranny to the cooler look like those in your pics. It may be tranny fluid leaking from those lines.

 

tranny fluid is red. as yellow as that is i think it may actually be a/c oil with die.