'03 CTS Transmission Oil or Power Steering Oil Leak?
#1
02-03-2011, 11:05 AM
'03 CTS Transmission Oil or Power Steering Oil Leak?
Every day there is a very small drop of a dark orange oily substance on my garage floor, but I can't tell if this is power steering fluid or transmission fluid. I can't tell by getting under my car. It is easy to check the power steering level, but the leak is so small that I don't notice the level decreasing if that is what it is. I also put Lucas Stop Leak in it, but still see the spot on my garage floor.
The transmission is sealed, so there is no way of checking the level. How do I tell if it is transmission fluid or power steering fluid that is leaking? The onboard computer is reading "transmission fluid 100%". Does that just tell you if the transmission fluid is dirty, or will it tell you if the level is low also?
The transmission is sealed, so there is no way of checking the level. How do I tell if it is transmission fluid or power steering fluid that is leaking? The onboard computer is reading "transmission fluid 100%". Does that just tell you if the transmission fluid is dirty, or will it tell you if the level is low also?
#2
02-04-2011, 12:13 AM
Fluid colors
Dexron-III ATF automatic transaxle fluid like in my Seville or the transmission fluid in my girlfriends Blazer is bright red.
Power steering fluid is a reddish or pinkish color, but i also seen it amber and light brown.
As far as the orange color it could be windshield washing fluid, i was just at parts store and got some, could also be antifreeze. Orange antifreezes are good for 5 years or 100,000 to 150,000 miles in newer vehicles, 1996 and later.
Power steering fluid is a reddish or pinkish color, but i also seen it amber and light brown.
As far as the orange color it could be windshield washing fluid, i was just at parts store and got some, could also be antifreeze. Orange antifreezes are good for 5 years or 100,000 to 150,000 miles in newer vehicles, 1996 and later.
#3
02-04-2011, 02:25 PM
Dexron-III ATF automatic transaxle fluid like in my Seville or the transmission fluid in my girlfriends Blazer is bright red.
Power steering fluid is a reddish or pinkish color, but i also seen it amber and light brown.
As far as the orange color it could be windshield washing fluid, i was just at parts store and got some, could also be antifreeze. Orange antifreezes are good for 5 years or 100,000 to 150,000 miles in newer vehicles, 1996 and later.
Power steering fluid is a reddish or pinkish color, but i also seen it amber and light brown.
As far as the orange color it could be windshield washing fluid, i was just at parts store and got some, could also be antifreeze. Orange antifreezes are good for 5 years or 100,000 to 150,000 miles in newer vehicles, 1996 and later.
#4
02-06-2011, 10:43 PM
what u need to do is put dye in the power steering fluid and check it with a black light.
coolant leak could feel oily if makes contact with other engine parts on the way down
you may be able to feel along the inside of the passenger side check rad hose and follow the pipe back maybe u get lucky and find it
if u had a pressure tester u could check the coolant
i am assuming this is an automatic tranny
if u use a white trap on the ground u may be able to see the colour of the leaking without any change to it this may be the best way to start
coolant leak could feel oily if makes contact with other engine parts on the way down
you may be able to feel along the inside of the passenger side check rad hose and follow the pipe back maybe u get lucky and find it
if u had a pressure tester u could check the coolant
i am assuming this is an automatic tranny
if u use a white trap on the ground u may be able to see the colour of the leaking without any change to it this may be the best way to start
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