Date: 12 Jun 2006 02:29:14 -0700 From: "Al" <alistairdorenospamo.com> Subject: Re: URGENT Advice needed 1997 9000 - AC SYStem exhaust?!?
- Bob - wrote: > On Sun, 11 Jun 2006 22:12:55 GMT, "Al" <alistairdorenospamo.com> wrote: > > >I turned her off pronto and investigated, there is a brown fluid which > >appears to have been shot across the front of the engine bay right to left, > >but I cant see a source. It has coated the dump valve (recirc valve) and > >edge of the radiator fan assembly. I don't seem to have lost any oil, > >steering fluid, water or brake fluid. I'm guessing an emergency venting of > >fluid from the AC compressor? > > Not the A/C. It doesn't vent and aside from some fluorescent green > leak detector that might be in there, it is never brown and you would > not see it. Do you have an automatic transmission? It could be tranny > fluid from the cooler. If so, do not drive the car until it is > repaired. It could also be oil blown out of the turbo. It's light brown, and suggestions on other forums have been power steering fluid or the coolant expansion tank venting. It's a manual not an auto, and shes done 30 miles since with no problems everything working fine. The amount of fluid exhausted was probably less than a teacup, and there are no apparent leaks whilst standing. As a result I really can't tell if any of the fluid resevoirs are low. The exhausting sounded very loud, like I'd popped a highly pressured hose and the cloud of steam/smoke from the gap was quite violent. I'm begining to suspect a simple coolant expansion tank venting. I have looked again and there appear to be no loose/damaged hoses and as previously stated she runs just fine. I'm dropping her into Phil and Phil for a quick once over at lunch time just to be sure. I'll let the group know if I get an answer. Cheers