Yellowish Fluid Leak Driver's Side Aux Rad Air Intake

[Nico1970]

Hello, there appears to be a fluid leak at the intake to the driver's side auxiliary radiator.

Some splashes can be seen in the attached picture just behind the grill at the RHS. There is also some fluid on the splitter below the main front grille.

I have checked the readily accessible fluid levels and nothing appears to be low. It's not an oily substance, it is too sticky for that and it looks yellowish. Furthermore there doesn't appear to be any major areas of fluid deposit on the driveway.

I just noticed it yesterday, gave the car a clean and now it is back again. I doubt it's cat's p#ss, but all angles considered!?

Any ideas?

Thanks,

[Rick_RS4]

thats just where the oil cooler connections are

[PaulP]

Looks like a perfect spot for cat pee.
Our front drive is a passing point for many moggies and they have done this now and again for years. Neutered Toms still spray and it doesnt stink like full Toms.
Last year a ditect hit to front caliper had me looking for a fluid leak!
I would wash it off and see if it reappears.

PP

[Nico1970]

Thanks gents.

My first thought was the oil cooler pipes too, because of the location, but what swayed me was the colour of the fluid - it is yellowish, whereas, coolant is pinkish, plus its sitting at its max.

Brake fluid is yellow/green but it too is sitting at it's max.

[John Johnson]

I've just done my aux rad down there and it was only weeping and not yellow , I would not be shocked if it was cat pee ... Had it on my alloys a few times

[Rick_RS4]

you touched cat pee

[adsgreen]

What colour is power steering fluid?
(That rad is there too)

['R'e'S'pect_4]

GREEN and stinks of fish IMO

Have to agree on the moggie reason. my daily is very dirty and i keep getting these clean patches at 12" height around it !

What colour is power steering fluid?
(That rad is there too)

[Nico1970]

Thanks to all, for the respective inputs.

I am not entirely convinced of the cat's p#ss theory, although I sincerely do hope it is just that...

Some more background information - the 'leak' is not apparent after every journey. I have had a few short journeys over the past couple of days with the oil temperature not going above circa 84 deg C and there has been no further indications. However, on the two occasions that I have noticed the 'leak', these were after some spirited driving (oil above 110 deg C). I don't think the driver's side aux rad operates all of the time (it's thermostatically controlled) so that would be one possible culprit - but I don't know at what oil temp it kicks in?

For any of the guys who have replaced the oil cooler pipes / connections etc, I would like to know what were the symptoms that drew your attention to the failure in the first place.

Cheers,

[adsgreen]

I have a CAF purely down to a leaking aux rad.
Symptoms were exactly you describe in that the leak was only after high coolant temps when the thermostat opened.
Easiest way to test is after a drive come back and leave engine running. Pull the fog light grill out (it's just clipped in place) and feel the rad (it might be, er, hot so be careful )

['R'e'S'pect_4]

some more pics here that may help you...

http://forum.rs246.com/viewtopic.php?f= ... 5&start=30

[Nico1970]

Thanks for photo...