Leaking redish fluid

[Suprnova74]

After fixing (and cleaning up!) my failed valve cover gasket that sprayed out at least a quart of oil all throughout the engine compartment, I thought I had my leaking issue resolved.

Unfortunately I now have a new leak. A reddish fluid leaking from center towards passenger side. I thought at first it might be power steering fluid but as Sonics don't have the traditional power steering, that's not it. The only culprit left would be gear/trans fluid? It's a manual transmission. I haven't jacked the car up to inspect the underside yet. Is my hunch probably correct in that it's most likely manual trans/gear fluid?

All I know is I'm running out of fluids to check. It's not brake fluid. the amount on the floor would have left the brake fluid reservoir much lower and it's fine.

the good news, if there is any, is the fluid doesn't smell burnt!

2012 Chevy Sonic LT Turbo Manual Trans ~150k miles

EDIT: Added pic of the fluid. This dropped after about an hour being parked.

 

[Pirate Luke]

It looks similar to coolant in my opinion. Does it smell like syrup at all? Center passenger side is the water pump which has a t valve on it. There’s 3 connections you could check out and make sure no leaks. Check the hoses for holes as well, I just had a hose get a hole in it from rubbing on my intake manifold for a few years.

 

[Suprnova74]

It looks similar to coolant in my opinion. Does it smell like syrup at all? Center passenger side is the water pump which has a t valve on it. There’s 3 connections you could check out and make sure no leaks. Check the hoses for holes as well, I just had a hose get a hole in it from rubbing on my intake manifold for a few years.

The color is a bit washed out. Its red not yellow. It doesn't smell like antifreeze and is definitely not motor oil

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[skurtov]

Coolant for sure on the passenger side. Transmission is on the drivers. Sounds like you have a leaky water pump or possible some fittings. The water pump is fixed by the dealer for free under the 150k mile TSB

 

[Suprnova74]

i'd agree with you if it wasn't for the color and lack of "antifreeze" smell. The antifreeze is definitely the yellow kind and not red. The work light I had available was a very yellow color which messed with the photo. (it's is definitely red-tinged, not yellow). it feels more like an oil of some kind. I know liquids can travel all sorts of paths to wind up dripping in the weirdest places.

Anyway, I'm going to take it to get checked out. Last thing I need is water pump or trans blowing out on me (depending on the issue) due to running out of fluids.

 

[skurtov]

i'd agree with you if it wasn't for the color and lack of "antifreeze" smell. The antifreeze is definitely the yellow kind and not red. The work light I had available was a very yellow color which messed with the photo. (it's is definitely red-tinged, not yellow). it feels more like an oil of some kind. I know liquids can travel all sorts of paths to wind up dripping in the weirdest places.

Anyway, I'm going to take it to get checked out. Last thing I need is water pump or trans blowing out on me (depending on the issue) due to running out of fluids.

Dexcool is pink/red. Transfluid will be dark yellow light brown/gray. If you really want to get technical. Take a taste test. Coolant will be sweet and bitter. Trans fluid will also smell like royal ass.

 

[Suprnova74]

Just an update, finally got it into the dealer. It is indeed coolant. Confirmed that the water pump is leaking which is indeed covered by that TSB (thanks for the tip) , but apparently so is every single hose as well as most of the plastic connection points. I think the hoses are original as they were looking a bit tired, but the connection flanges are plastic? Who thought up that design?! :sadbanana:

 

[skurtov]

Just an update, finally got it into the dealer. It is indeed coolant. Confirmed that the water pump is leaking which is indeed covered by that TSB (thanks for the tip) , but apparently so is every single hose as well as most of the plastic connection points. I think the hoses are original as they were looking a bit tired, but the connection flanges are plastic? Who thought up that design?! :sadbanana:

Cost vs lifespan. Plastic does fine. And cheaper to produce. Less metal to corrode too.