Bad Leak

[Okiedoke]

I went to an autocross today. After I parked the Z in the garage, I noticed a pretty large puddle underneath. It was a 1.5 hour drive home. I don't know how much it leaked on the way. The fluid was clear and thicker than water. It also had a hint of yellow. It must have come out faster since the puddle was formed in only a few minutes. By the time I looked underneath the car, it was dripping once every 10 seconds. I put a container under there and it appears to still be dripping after two hours. The only difference is that the drips actually look clear like water and isn't thick anymore. I've circled in red where it was dripping from. This is on the passenger side close to the side vent in front of the passenger door. The engine looked completely dry from the top. Any idea what kind of fluid this is? Unfortunately, I have a non-refundable track day scheduled for Tuesday. At this point, I'm not sure if it's even safe to start the car and drive to the mechanic. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d119/harryhhsu/leak1_zpst2spdcih.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/harryhhsu/media/leak1_zpst2spdcih.jpg.html)

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d119/harryhhsu/leak2_zps8tziccr8.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/harryhhsu/media/leak2_zps8tziccr8.jpg.html)

[Dynomite]

Water from AC evaporator.....removing heat and humidity from the air.
If that be the case......it is normal and NOT a leak......just defrosting the Evaporator :p

Thicker than water is still a question???
Could be windshield wiper fluid but still...thicker than water is a question???
You can smell antifreeze easily :cheers:

Check all fluid levels just in case....Power Steering, Brake, Coolant overflow, and engine oil.

[Okiedoke]

Water from AC evaporator.....removing heat and humidity from the air.
If that be the case......it is normal and NOT a leak......just defrosting the Evaporator :p

Thicker than water is still a question???
Could be windshield wiper fluid but still...thicker than water is a question???
You can smell antifreeze easily :cheers:

Check all fluid levels just in case....Power Steering, Brake, Coolant overflow, and engine oil.

I wonder if it's water from the AC evaporator plus something else. Explains the two different viscosities. I don't think it's engine oil since it's not oily and didn't really stain. There wasn't really a smell. I need to figure out how to check the power steering, brake, and coolant overflow. Never checked these before.

[Dynomite]

I wonder if it's water from the AC evaporator plus something else. Explains the two different viscosities. I don't think it's engine oil since it's not oily and didn't really stain. There wasn't really a smell. I need to figure out how to check the power steering, brake, and coolant overflow. Never checked these before.

Brake is drivers side top near fire wall.
Coolant overflow......plastic container under passenger head light.
Power Steering......drivers side top front of engine near alternator.
Clutch is actually under ECM (loosen ECM nuts and flip up and there is the clutch fluid) which should be checked at times also.

Just a complete Fluid Check nothing to do with your "leak".....Transmission and Differential are sealed but you can remove the fill plugs and oil should drip out (that be full). I have a drain plug in differential and you do not :p

Post 3 - LT5/ZR-1 Fluids (http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-zr-1-discussion/3005470-tech-info-lt5-modifications-rebuild-tricks-500-hp.html#post1580070550)

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.corvetteforum.com-vbulletin/800x600-1/80-353a8770_2463_4a3d_bd53_860920b2b618_1__215baaf45f a8310b57b69078bd80040f5003d62d.jpg

[Okiedoke]

Ok. I checked the power steering, brake, and coolant overflow.

Steering (looks ok to me):

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d119/harryhhsu/leak5_zpskscgfzg2.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/harryhhsu/media/leak5_zpskscgfzg2.jpg.html)

Brake (levels are near the max):

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d119/harryhhsu/leak3_zpslgxaglsr.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/harryhhsu/media/leak3_zpslgxaglsr.jpg.html)

Coolant overflow: The cap was very loose, like it was just sitting on top of the container. I could also see that the top of the container was wet. Could it be the coolant? Is coolant thick? One odd thing is that the coolant cap/dip stick stank. The paper towels I used to mop up the fluid on the ground did not.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d119/harryhhsu/leak6_zpsa5xppu37.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/harryhhsu/media/leak6_zpsa5xppu37.jpg.html)

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d119/harryhhsu/leak4_zpsrkmexwz3.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/harryhhsu/media/leak4_zpsrkmexwz3.jpg.html)

[Dynomite]

Your fluids look fine...…I am assuming oil dip stick is fine :p

I am guessing a bit but I think you have mostly water from the AC which is normal if you ran the AC. You may have some other oils here and there but from puddle size...that is typical AC. And that AC water is from humidity inside the vehicle and nothing to do with loss of any fluids :D

Do check that clutch fluid sometime under ECM just in front of drivers side fire wall. Many do not even know that exists :D

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Your fluids look fine...…I am assuming oil dip stick is fine :p

I am guessing a bit but I think you have mostly water from the AC which is normal if you ran the AC. You may have some other oils here and there but from puddle size...that is typical AC. And that AC water is from humidity inside the vehicle and nothing to do with loss of any fluids :D

Do check that clutch fluid sometime under ECM just in front of drivers side fire wall. Many do not even know that exists :D

Harry,

I'm with Cliff (Dynomite) on this one and suspect just water from the AC and maybe some other residual coolant from the reservoir/loose cap you pointed out. Was your coolant temperature okay during the day and coming home? You might want to also check your coolant cap to ensure its holding pressure (off the top of my head I thought ours are 17lb caps?). You should top off your brake fluid too. I'll send you a PM. Best wishes.

[Paul Workman]

I agree w/ Cliff n Kraig, but I have an observation and a question:

I noticed some streaks from the coolant overflow cap. However, they may be old, and the coolant level on the dipstick is pretty close to normal for a COLD motor. ("pretty close", i.e., maybe a tad higher than the normal "cold" level would be IF/WHEN the motor is totally cooled off (i.e., not run over night.)).

That 2nd photo = ?? Not sure what we're looking at. Is that a picture of a stain on the floor? Or, if not, what are we looking at?

Just to add, dripping clear water from that spot (pictured) lines up exactly with the AC heat exchanger and pretty far away from any source of any other liquids, except coolant which would indicate the heater core or a connections thereto was leaking. BUT! In that case, the 'puddle" would NOT be clear - would be hard to mistake it for anything but coolant. Like I said - I agree w/ the others, from what you've said so far.

[We Gone]

I also agree but would still check around the high fill tank with a flashlight and just be sure. I believe you have a sensor and a few lines on it plus the cap. Also check the passenger carpet.. Just to be sure. .

[RussMcB]

Call around and see if a local auto parts store has a coolant system pressure tester. That is the best way to confirm your cooling system is not leaking.

If you do have a cooling system issue, you may not get many laps tomorrow.

On a side note, do you know how to see your cooling system temperature in your console display? That might be useful so you can keep a close eye on coolant temps. I forget the exact steps but they're probably on Marc's ZR1 Specialist's web site.

[Young1]

If it is full of coolant yet. Don't worry about it. Put a little air pressure in your windshield washer reservoir and I think you will find it. I replaced the pump and gasket on one a year ago

[Okiedoke]

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. Nothing like troubleshooting to learn more about the Z. ;) . It was dry under the Z this morning. I drove it to work and everything is running normally. The gauges (temp, pressure, etc.) also looked normal. I don't believe '91s have a digital readout. It was still dry underneath when I left work. I also checked with my mechanic and he also thought it was likely the AC condensation since the fluid levels are good. Will report back tomorrow.

[We Gone]

You can get a lot of information such as coolant temp from the HVAC readout.

You have to love the power of the brotherhood.

http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?p=134887

So you are saying that the 90 cars can get the oil & coolant temps on the HVAC display with a certain procedure?

I looked in the service manual and there is a procedure (hold the fan 'up' and 'down' buttons for 5 seconds, then use the same fan 'up' and 'down' buttons for navigation and the center 'auto' button for selecting) for displaying HVAC fault codes and inside/outside air temps, but it didn't mention anything about engine coolant or oil temps.

[Okiedoke]

You can get a lot of information such as coolant temp from the HVAC readout.

You have to love the power of the brotherhood.

http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?p=134887

Definitely!! :worship:

[Okiedoke]

I'm glad to report that the track day went swell! All dry under the car and still had brakes at the end of the day (dot4 fluid did wonders). It's pretty amazing what a stock 27 year old Z can do! Even my coach thought the Z handled wonderfully when he drove during the orientation laps. All went well that is until the moment I got home and the service ride control light came on again...I swear it's possessed. :dontknow: