Strange fluid leak
#1
10-15-2010, 10:07 AM
Strange fluid leak
Hey, I walked outside to take the trash out this morning, and noticed that there is a 3 inch wet spot under the truck and some time of oil running down of the center bracket for the sterring stabilizer. the fluid is yellow...
I haven't driven it in a few days and temps have been fluctuating pretty significantly.
I was trying to think of any kind of fluid that is yellow?
Thoughts?
I haven't driven it in a few days and temps have been fluctuating pretty significantly.
I was trying to think of any kind of fluid that is yellow?
Thoughts?
#3
10-15-2010, 10:23 AM
thats what I though initially, and I changed my fuel filter about 2000 miles ago with no issues. It has no diesel smell, and drips like an oil more than a fuel (even though they are both oil)...
I don't think its fuel... I have this feeling that driving it will resolve the issue
but I should probably figure out what it is.
#4
10-15-2010, 10:42 AM
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#5
10-15-2010, 10:46 AM
I'll check that to be 100% sure its not fuel, i noticed a drip hanging off the steering stabilizer bracket in the picture and it was a bright yellow... no strong smell just the faint smell of oil...
#6
10-15-2010, 10:59 AM
The fluid is from the stabilizer itself. It's yellow.
When I flushed my hydraulic system last year, I jacked up the front end of the truck to make it easier for my wife to turn the steering lock-to-lock while pumping out ATF and pouring in new with the engine running.
After repeatedly exercising the steering travel fully many times in rapid succession, I too discovered a yellow fluid directly under the steering dampener. Too much exercise, too rapidly, in too short a time, caused fluid to leak past the piston seals.
Since only a small amount leaked, I haven't noticed any difference in dampening performance, so I have not changed the unit.
Yours is likely leaking from a different reason, like old age of the seals or a nick in the piston.
Pop
When I flushed my hydraulic system last year, I jacked up the front end of the truck to make it easier for my wife to turn the steering lock-to-lock while pumping out ATF and pouring in new with the engine running.
After repeatedly exercising the steering travel fully many times in rapid succession, I too discovered a yellow fluid directly under the steering dampener. Too much exercise, too rapidly, in too short a time, caused fluid to leak past the piston seals.
Since only a small amount leaked, I haven't noticed any difference in dampening performance, so I have not changed the unit.
Yours is likely leaking from a different reason, like old age of the seals or a nick in the piston.
Pop
#7
10-15-2010, 11:02 AM
The fluid is from the stabilizer itself. It's yellow.
When I flushed my hydraulic system last year, I jacked up the front end of the truck to make it easier for my wife to turn the steering lock-to-lock while pumping out ATF and pouring in new with the engine running.
After repeatedly exercising the steering travel fully many times in rapid succession, I too discovered a yellow fluid directly under the steering dampener. Too much exercise, too rapidly, in too short a time, caused fluid to leak past the piston seals.
Since only a small amount leaked, I haven't noticed any difference in dampening performance, so I have not changed the unit.
Pop
When I flushed my hydraulic system last year, I jacked up the front end of the truck to make it easier for my wife to turn the steering lock-to-lock while pumping out ATF and pouring in new with the engine running.
After repeatedly exercising the steering travel fully many times in rapid succession, I too discovered a yellow fluid directly under the steering dampener. Too much exercise, too rapidly, in too short a time, caused fluid to leak past the piston seals.
Since only a small amount leaked, I haven't noticed any difference in dampening performance, so I have not changed the unit.
Pop
Is there another dampner besides the stabilizer, because that isn't even on the truck. I bought a spare to keep with me and tried just not running one. So I don't have a stailizer to leak...
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#8
10-15-2010, 11:23 AM
#9
10-15-2010, 11:26 AM
#10
10-15-2010, 12:09 PM
#11
10-15-2010, 12:11 PM
So I should just look behind the main fan behind the radiator? I am more IT geared than mechanics. I am guessing there should be oil on the module that spins the large fan?
#13
10-15-2010, 02:46 PM
Look from underneath. You should be able to reach up to the fan and see if there is oil on the flange under the clutch in the center of the fan.
#14
11-30-2010, 10:58 AM
Ok, so i know this is an old thread, but the leak stopped.
But last night i change to Full syn 5w40 and was checking for leaks, well i found one, but not oil.
It is Antifreeze out of the same location as the original post. Here are pics of where it is coming from.
The question: What the hell is that, why is it intermittent, and how do i fix it.
But last night i change to Full syn 5w40 and was checking for leaks, well i found one, but not oil.
It is Antifreeze out of the same location as the original post. Here are pics of where it is coming from.
The question: What the hell is that, why is it intermittent, and how do i fix it.