Is this normal, or an actual leak?

[lbwd]

Looked under the car today and noticed a couple of fresh spots, touched the spots and they were oily. I never look under my car, but today I did...

By the way, the mechanics never did find anything wrong with the oil switch or pressure. Since the tune-up, the red oil light doesn't blink as much.

Here are some pictures (under front end) click thumbnails...











Thanks!

[lbwd]

... and it's been parked for 4 hours in the photo.

[danbuc]

Some of that looks like either trans fluid or coolant (the reddish/orange colored stuff I mean). As for oil, looks like either a half case, or pan leaks since the whole bottom seems to have a light film. How many different color fluids are polling on the trans pan and crossover under the car exactly?

[lbwd]

I have no idea. This is the first time I have looked under there and saw that. How do I find out what is leaking and from where?

[Douglass Harroun]

I had two trans pan bolts work loose and cause a major leak. You might check they are all snug.
On mine-took the pan off, checked the screens- they were clean- waste of money to buy replacements. Couldn't find the hidden side cover drain bolt inside. Just a film of paste on the magnet.
Doug

[lbwd]

Seriously, I don't know how to do this and have nothing to lift the car with. Will the transmission shop know how to do this, or should I take it to my mechanic or the dealer? I can trust my mechanic, but I am tired of phucking with dollars.

I'll take napkin samples tomorrow.
I'll also report the colors of the fluid(s).

[lbwd]

OK I got more photos today and the fluid colors...
The fluid is darker on certain spots, especially towards the back of the car!?
See in the pics.

[lbwd]

This one is next to the exhaust pipes on the way to the back, under the rear seats I believe.

[lbwd]

Forgot to throw in the napkins.
The green spots are from the napkin (ink from flower pattern). Looks to me like it's oil, but where it's coming from, I don't know.



I recently had a tune-up with plugs, wires, radiator flush, O2 sensor, tire rotation, belts, and a couple other things from the mechanic. That's the recent history. You may have seen my previous threads where I posted about the oil switch (or the oil pan blinking) but the mechanics never did find anything, though they may not have been as worried about it as I was/am.

[chazglenn3]

I am chasing down an elusive oil "drip". I am checking the oil cooler lines and the oil filter adapter next. Try those.

[jadcock]

No oil under the car is "normal". It's coming from somewhere. The underside of my '97 looked a lot like that. No "leak" per se, but the bottom of the pan was oily, and there'd be a drip overnight. With the miles mine had (almost 160k), it could have been anything. All the seals were still original. I think the case half was leaking slightly because it was wet above the oil pan seal.

LBWD, how much does the car leak overnight? If not more than a drip or two, or not even that, I wouldn't pay it any mind.

My '01 is dry as a bone underneath. So I know it CAN happen!

[lbwd]

It doesn't leak a ton, see the image below. I took this today, after the car was there since 4PM yesterday until 12PM today.

[lbwd]

EDIT: That's a drop or two behind and 6 or 7 in front.

[lbwd]

So how do I tell what this is?
I thought coolant was a different color and not greasy.

If it's transmission fluid or oil leaking, how do I determine witch it is?
Is it OK to drive, less the WOT?

[lbwd]

Would my radiator flush have anything to do with this?
I did smell oily substance when the windows were down before then, though.