epp_b

After having my completely-stock 1995 240SX in my garage for about two days, there is a small puddle of something (it's only a few mL). It appears that the engine is leaking some sort of fluid, but I'm not sure what it is (or exactly where it's leaking in the engine bay, either).

It looks like coolant (clear with a heavy yellow tint), but it doesn't smell like coolant...it doesn't smell like anything; it's kind of like smelling water, really.

I just topped up my fuilds a few days ago, so I checked them again and they're all good -- exactly where I filled them up to.

Any suggestions on what it could be or other ways to find out what it is?

LA_phantom_240

Ever use your A/C? The evaporator unit drains off condensation through a hose in the firewall. Possible?

epp_b

My dad took a look at it and he says that it's definitely coolant.

Well, summer's over so I haven't used my A/C in several weeks (now it's time to use the heater ), but I do still run compressor once or twice a month just to keep it in check.

This has happened twice since I bought it in August, so I'll get it checked out. Thanks.

LA_phantom_240

maybe its boiling over and exiting the coolant overflow hose? Did you overfill the reservoir?

epp_b

No, I've had a car that did that before, and it leaked onto the the chassis, causing it to cook and steam. No steam here, thank-goodness.

Not even slightly. It's just below the "Max" mark.

epp_b

(double post caused by forum quirks)

epp_b

My dad looked at it, and he figures it's definitely coolant.

I'm going to closer look tomorrow when I have time to get the car up on ramps.

LA_phantom_240

hmm... something doesnt add up here. Maybe its just a really slow leak and you havent noticed the fluid level go down yet.

JessicaS14

I had that happen this summer, but it was not coolant. It was brake fluid. It was a slow leak, like LA_phantom said above me. The guy at Nissan said it was my steering fluid.. what a joke.

I'm not saying it's not coolant or anything. Just check your brake fluid before your brakes get really crappy and you have to slam on the brake trying to get it to slow down.

tehott240

that funny i had the same thing happen to mine too the brake fluid had a small leak in it!so u might want to chek it out

LA_phantom_240

Yeah sounds like brake fluid "Clear with a heavy yellow tint.."

epp_b

I'll look, but I don't think it's brake fluid. If it was, I'd have run out of that by now. My brake fluid is a stable level.

Actually, I had to pour in a few mL of coolant yesterday.

I checked it two days ago when I noticed fluid below my car. And, actually, since I haven't slammed in the brakes to the point of lockup since I got the car, I was curious, so I did. The brakes are fine.

JessicaS14

I never said that it was brake fluid and never ruled out the coolant. I was just stating the issue I had and how Nissan told me it was steering fluid.

I know that brake fluid is not yellow. Coolant is typically green though.. but again, all are different tempurature ranges. I'm sure you know that though. You're a male. You know everything there is to know.

epp_b

Well, I'm typically colour-blind

It could very well be green, for all I know...

LA_phantom_240

....um. I dont know what kinda fluid you use, but the brake and clutch fluids ive used were clear with a yellow tint... and as tey get older they get yellower, and then brown. and whats with the male omments? lol. Ive never seen yellow coolant. Ive seen some funky colors, but yellow would be a new one for me... not to say that there ISNT yellow