So I've got my first bloodstain on the driveway after driving this Z for about 3 weeks. When I saw it I put a white sheet down and parked on it. The stain is light brown and spreads quickly on the sheet. I put a drop of engine oil from the dipstick right on the sheet next to the stain, and also a drop of power steering fluid on the other side of the stain (from the reservoir). I was concerned it was oil and wanted to try and locate the source (I don't yet have wheelramps or a real jack)...so the sheet was my best option...and I can't even fit my head under the car let alone the rest of me. It does seem to resemble the power steering fluid slightly more than engine oil, but not definate enough to put me at ease. A few days ago I topped off the power steering fluid because the indictor was just barely touching the fluid in the reservoir (the add mark)..so I'm thinking maybe that's what is now leaking out. There is a drip hanging off what looks to be the front stablizer/anti-sway bar...just forward of the front wheels and just about center of the car. Thoughts? Any way to tell for sure what it is?

 

You know the answer. Get under it and look.

 

yeah...I do have jackstands. I'll jack her up with the factory jack and put the jackstands under it. Funny though, the stain looks like power steering fluid but smells a little more like engine oil.

 

auto or manual tranny?

Auto tranny has cooler lines that run next to the engine up to the PS of the radiator. A leak in one of the lines could be right over the sway bay and could drip where you're suggesting. The tranny fluid (in both tranny types) is reddish brown and stinks. If you have a manual tranny this can't be the cause as there aren't cooler lines and no way for the fluid to get that far forward...

 

Water pump leak?

 

well, it's still a mystery at this point. went out and got wheelramps and got under the car...the oil is sort of all over the place, left and right side. dripping off one of the plug wires (lowest one), seems to be coming off the block onto it. I took off the radiator shroud to see if I could see where it's coming from up on top but the way they stuff these engines in there, it's hard. I may have to pull a few more things off up top to be able to see where the leak is originating from. where is the water pump on these, right under the thermostat housing?

 

and I'm almost positive at this point that it IS oil. I have a 5 quart jug of mobile1 I was going to change the oil with but with an oil leak, even a small one, probably not a good idea to go with synthetic? Wouldn't it leak more?

 

Clean everything off, so that you can see just where the leak is coming from.

 

clean away the gunk that may be sealing up some leaks....

Beofer you change the oil, check a few places for leaks. One place to check is the back of the intake manifold. Reach in behind the engine on the drivers side and check the block below the intake manifold. Oil on your hands is a manifold leak. A second place to check is the oil level sensor. It's on the drivers side and screwed into the oil pan. You can see if it's leaking. It's not serviceable so if it's leaking buy a new one..with a new gasket. It's plastic so be sure to tighten to the recommended torque spec or you'll be doing it again. A third place is the valve covers...try tightening the bolts. If they're loose the covers will leak..

Good luck!

Synthetic oil doesn't cause leaks but it does