Leak, oil/water ?

Iv now got a leak just to the back of the engine and front of the gearbox, if i leave the car stood for 15 mins after a short run round town there is a patch of fluid about 6" diameter and looks like oil as it wont wash away, iv got some on my finger and its like a very thin oil but also watery, no taste really but slight oily smell, im thinking clutch fluid or brake fluid but the level in the reservoir is at the same point and has been for 5 days, clutch is fine also brakes are fine, could it be gearbox oil or fluid from power steering pump ? not sure where abouts that is ?
Thanks guys

If it's brake/clutch fluid it will wash away with water.
Best bet is to put a sheet of white paper on the floor under the suspect area, this will show the colour of the oil and help in determining if it's engine oil, transmission fluid or gear oil etc.

atf has a sweet taste to it, its also red(ish) in colour, gear oil smells like cats **** and tastes worse than it smells, anti-freeze also has a sweet taste but shouldn't feel oily when mixed with water in the cooling system,


i suspect you have a leaking clutch slave cylinder, check the level in the reservoir!

G-man said:

atf has a sweet taste to it, its also red(ish) in colour, gear oil smells like cats **** and tastes worse than it smells, anti-freeze also has a sweet taste but shouldn't feel oily when mixed with water in the cooling system,


i suspect you have a leaking clutch slave cylinder, check the level in the reservoir!

Click to expand...

the slave cylinder was brand new last week, shouldn't be that, i would of thought so anyway , is there any brake lines that run above the gearbox that could have corroded or anything ? ill put paper under tomorrow whilst im changing my drivers window reg and ill report back.
cheers guys

I was under the car again and tried to diagnose were the leak is coming from, still no joy It seems to be dripping from were the geabox meets the engine but the fluid is all round the gearbox and the engine, and it smokes when engine is hot, if i open the bonnet after a journey there is a little bit of smoke, the fluid is a very clear golden coulour very thin oil Id say and tastes of nothing just feels oily !
Need more ideas as my dad is killing me about the mess on the drive
I no its only marking its terratory but its taking the p*** now
Thanks guys

sounds like brake fluid or clutch fluid, you sure whoever changed your slave cylinder didn't spill a load of fluid and it's pooled up on the gearbox.

Its not brake/clutch fluid, iv had a tissue under the leak today and tasted it, its engine oil, were would it be coming from if it looks clean and fresh :S ? Sorry if this is a daft question! Also it tastes the same as the engine oil.
Thanks for the help

Probably:behindsofa: be Rocker Cover gaskets or the rear valley gasket seal.

Irishrover said:

Probably:behindsofa: be Rocker Cover gaskets or the rear valley gasket seal.

Click to expand...

Would the oil not be black though ? is a diesel too.

Assumed it was a petrol.

Still reckon it's coming from the engine at the top rear.
Do you only use black engine oil then ????

:behindsofa:

No, but the oil dripping out is exactly the same colour and taste as the oil i topped it up with a couple of weeks ago also engine oil level is going down slightly as i drive it more and more... :S

Get a new gasket for the top cover and take the cover off.

Irishrover said:

Get a new gasket for the top cover and take the cover off.

Click to expand...

Is that the 1st ideal thing to try then ?
And is it easy enough to do myself im reasonable handy when it comes to mechanics
Thanks for help too !

On the petrol anyway, the rocker covers & the valley gasket seals are regular culprits, especially at the back where you can't see.
Gaskets are cheap, and as the oil is lying on top of the bell housing, good chance it's coming from the top of the engine at the rear unless the leak is at the front..which you would see..and being blown back by the draught from the fan.

I still cant seem to get my head round why the oil that is leaking is clear