What could this leaking fluid be? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Jchuba03 · 02-28-2014, 07:41 AM

Long story short, went to leave for work, car was running fine, tried turning the wheel, and I itwwouldn't turn. Got out, saw big brown puddle. I am assuming it's power steering fluid, but I'm no expert. It'sunder warrenty, so Im not to concerned, just want to know what it is.

Spartan01 · 02-28-2014, 08:05 AM

Assuming that it is in fact from your car, (I mean did you check under the hood for drips?) it is most likely power steering fluid. Check the reservoir as well to see if it is low or empty.
Only fluids you have are engine oil, tranny fluid (if an auto,) power steering fluid, antifreeze, clutch fluid (if a manual), and brake fluid.

Jose · 02-28-2014, 08:32 AM

Powersteering fluid.

Jchuba03 · 02-28-2014, 08:55 AM

Its definitely from my car, and I had no check engine lights when I turned it on. Like I said, Only the wheel wouldn't turn. could the reservoir have cracked because of the cold?

Spartan01 · 02-28-2014, 08:57 AM

Possibly, but unlikely. It is proabably a fitting or hose.
Check the Power steering reservoir. Is it low or empty?
If not check your brake fluid reservoir.

Jchuba03 · 02-28-2014, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spartan01

Possibly, but unlikely. It is proabably a fitting or hose.
Check the Power steering reservoir. Is it low or empty?
If not check your brake fluid reservoir.

I could see this, maybe a pothole I hit jarred something loose.

Spartan01 · 02-28-2014, 09:27 AM

Possibly.
the hoses are rubber so they tend to wear out faster than the reservoirs.
The fluid appears to have a reddish tint to it, which would lead me to believe it is Power steering fluid, or possibly tranny fluid, but as you said the wheel wouldn't turn, so it is almost guaranteed to be power steering fluid.

SPARTAN sui · 02-28-2014, 09:32 AM

How cold has it been there in MI?

Last year when it got -28*F here, my power steering hose came loose. There's a TSB on the fluid used. Here's someone else that had a similar issue.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=273366

backbaconrules · 02-28-2014, 10:37 AM

My power steering hose went early this winter. If I remember correctly it was an issue known to happen.

RollaMo · 02-28-2014, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jchuba03

Its definitely from my car, and I had no check engine lights when I turned it on. Like I said, Only the wheel wouldn't turn. could the reservoir have cracked because of the cold?

Loss of power steering fluid would not cause the "check engine" light to come on, even if it went completely dry.

Looks like power steering fluid to me also.

maddoggyusa · 02-28-2014, 11:06 AM

looks like a power steering hose ruptured.

strych9 · 02-28-2014, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maddoggyusa

looks like a power steering hose ruptured.

This, or the coupling separated. On the SS cars, the PS cooler hoses are right above the puddle in your photo. There are metal couplings that use a clip to hold them together. If the LT is the same, could be an issue there.

JCunningham · 02-28-2014, 11:20 AM

o well call the dealer they will come and pick it up

Blakk11SS · 03-01-2014, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPARTAN sui

How cold has it been there in MI?

Last year when it got -28*F here, my power steering hose came loose. There's a TSB on the fluid used. Here's someone else that had a similar issue.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=273366

Hi Spartan sui, How's it going up North for you? i hope your repair held thru the brutal cold up there this winter. Believe it or not, after all this cold weather the past 2 months here, the hose repair on the power steering lines made last year are still holding for me, it is amazing! no leaks, and its been down to -20 or so here in Mpls alot.

02-28-2014, 07:41 AM	#1
Jchuba03 Drives: 2011 1LT/RS IBM Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Rockwood MI Posts: 89	What could this leaking fluid be? Long story short, went to leave for work, car was running fine, tried turning the wheel, and I itwwouldn't turn. Got out, saw big brown puddle. I am assuming it's power steering fluid, but I'm no expert. It'sunder warrenty, so Im not to concerned, just want to know what it is. Attached Images

02-28-2014, 08:05 AM	#2
Spartan01 Drives: Evil Eva, 2010 2SS LS3 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Falls Church, Virginia Posts: 3,600	Assuming that it is in fact from your car, (I mean did you check under the hood for drips?) it is most likely power steering fluid. Check the reservoir as well to see if it is low or empty. Only fluids you have are engine oil, tranny fluid (if an auto,) power steering fluid, antifreeze, clutch fluid (if a manual), and brake fluid. __________________ "You simply cannot trust quotes found on the internet." -Abraham Lincoln

02-28-2014, 08:32 AM	#3
Jose Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS White S/C Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 842 View My Garage	Powersteering fluid. __________________ "It does not matter if you win or loose, what matters is if I win" Carl Fogarty

02-28-2014, 08:57 AM	#5
Spartan01 Drives: Evil Eva, 2010 2SS LS3 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Falls Church, Virginia Posts: 3,600	Possibly, but unlikely. It is proabably a fitting or hose. Check the Power steering reservoir. Is it low or empty? If not check your brake fluid reservoir. __________________ "You simply cannot trust quotes found on the internet." -Abraham Lincoln

02-28-2014, 09:27 AM	#7
Spartan01 Drives: Evil Eva, 2010 2SS LS3 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Falls Church, Virginia Posts: 3,600	Possibly. the hoses are rubber so they tend to wear out faster than the reservoirs. The fluid appears to have a reddish tint to it, which would lead me to believe it is Power steering fluid, or possibly tranny fluid, but as you said the wheel wouldn't turn, so it is almost guaranteed to be power steering fluid. __________________ "You simply cannot trust quotes found on the internet." -Abraham Lincoln

02-28-2014, 08:55 AM	#4
Jchuba03 Drives: 2011 1LT/RS IBM Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Rockwood MI Posts: 89	Its definitely from my car, and I had no check engine lights when I turned it on. Like I said, Only the wheel wouldn't turn. could the reservoir have cracked because of the cold?

02-28-2014, 09:32 AM	#8
SPARTAN sui PC Technician Drives: 2016 Hyper Blue 2SS Join Date: May 2012 Location: North Dakota Posts: 2,161	How cold has it been there in MI? Last year when it got -28*F here, my power steering hose came loose. There's a TSB on the fluid used. Here's someone else that had a similar issue. http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=273366 __________________

02-28-2014, 10:37 AM	#9
backbaconrules Drives: 2011 LT Black Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 406	My power steering hose went early this winter. If I remember correctly it was an issue known to happen.

02-28-2014, 11:06 AM	#11
maddoggyusa Drives: 2013 Camaro Dusk 2SS/6 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,586	looks like a power steering hose ruptured.

02-28-2014, 11:20 AM	#13
JCunningham Drives: 2017 2SS M6 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: WNY Posts: 7,070	o well call the dealer they will come and pick it up __________________ real ZL1 wheels and brakes, 285/305 Michelin Pilot Super Sports, Pray ported Intake manifold, Soler Throttle Body, Rotofab intake, EFI Tuning Flex fuel kit, full American Racing Headers Exhaust, 1 7/8" w/ cats H pipe and mufflers. Full 1LE suspension, with BMR adjustable sway bars and links, GM aluminum cradle bushings, Hurst shifter with lighter reverse spring, TWM shifter knob, Tick level 1 transmission. I should have bought a ZL1