leaking red fluid=-

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jamesmetairie
Posts: 256
Joined: Sat Aug 18, 2007 6:12 am
Location: new orleans

leaking red fluid=-

Post by jamesmetairie »

05 base model Vibe. about 128000(??) miles on it.
automatic tranny.
some kind of red liquid is appearing on the drive way floor. it is the area under the water pump.
am I correct in assuming before the water pump goes out it will usually start dripping a little coolant.

if it is power steering fluid it should be oily to the touch.


Thanks for any advice.
zbyers
Posts: 1767
Joined: Thu Apr 03, 2014 6:12 pm
Location: Sheffield, Pennsylvania

Re: leaking red fluid=-

Post by zbyers »

You're on the right track. There are the three pinkish/red fluids our cars have.What does it smell/taste like? Coolant is more watery, and smells kinda sweet. Whereas power steering (especilly if one used ATF to fill it is oily, and smells ... weird.

The other fluid you didn't mention is your transmission fluid. Many use transmission fluid for power steering, so that fluid could be the same, and you'd have to determine the source of said leak.

You're not guaranteed to leak coolant if the water pump is dead or dying. Same goes for power steering fluid or transmission fluid.

With coolant, usually wherever it dries gets white crusty's. Power steering and tranny fluid typically just attracts all of the dirt and grime and sticks to it, simliar to oil.

Pull the transmission dipstick. Is that fluid low? Look at the power steering reservoir. Is it low? Coolant reservoir-- is it low? If so, that again, would help determine what is leaking and where the source is.

Best bet is too look under the car and/or hood and determine the source of the leak otherwise it's a crap shoot and blind diagnosis.
'74 Thing, '79 El Camino, '83 VW DoKa '91 Vanagon, '03 Base, 04 GT
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jamesmetairie
Posts: 256
Joined: Sat Aug 18, 2007 6:12 am
Location: new orleans

Re: leaking red fluid=-

Post by jamesmetairie »

thank you zbyers

that makes good sense.
jamesmetairie
Posts: 256
Joined: Sat Aug 18, 2007 6:12 am
Location: new orleans

Re: leaking red fluid=-

Post by jamesmetairie »

it was leaking from the water pump(bearing).
the mechanic had to jack up the engine to remove the water pump.
replaced with gates brand.
it worked out ok.


thanks
zbyers
Posts: 1767
Joined: Thu Apr 03, 2014 6:12 pm
Location: Sheffield, Pennsylvania

Re: leaking red fluid=-

Post by zbyers »

glad it was a simple fix! I wonder why he had to jack the engine up to do the water pump? I don't think I did on mine, but that was a few years back and my mind is forgetting me in my old age. :lol:
'74 Thing, '79 El Camino, '83 VW DoKa '91 Vanagon, '03 Base, 04 GT
'06 CRV, '06 AWD, '07 Base, '12 Highlander Limited, '17 Frontier CCLB

Byerscrew Garage, GenVibe Facebook, How-To Index
Everything You Need To Know About the Pontiac Vibe
jamesmetairie
Posts: 256
Joined: Sat Aug 18, 2007 6:12 am
Location: new orleans

Re: leaking red fluid=-

Post by jamesmetairie »

jack the engine for water pump=-

the mechanic explained. probly couldn,t get it off .
my mind started slipping along time ago. I forget when.
lol
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