Seat Ibiza leaking unknown fluid..

lewis

I`m just back after 3 weeks of holidays and there`s some sort of fluid that has leaked all over the driveway from my wife`s Ibiza.

First I thought it was oil but the reservoir has oil in it, I checked the dipstick and it`s level is fine.

No warning lights came on when I drove it a little bit, power steering seemed fine, breaks worked.

I`d like to know what it is and is it an easy/cheap fix...not something nice to come home to...

Cordell

Check the coolant, brake and steering fluid (some cars don't have it) levels, any of these leaking means trouble. If not any of these then maybe it's windscreen washer fluid or fuel. Is it greasy? It's easily washed off?

hi5

It will take a big oil leak before you will see it on the dipstick/warning light.

Del2005

Check what type of fluid is on the ground, is it oil or water put a bit on your fingers to check, then you can try to find the leak. No point looking for an oil leak if its your windscreen water leaking

Alanstrainor

What am I looking at in those pics? I can't make out too much. What does it smell like? Coolant and washer fluid will have a sweet smell, oil should be obvious too. Any colour to it that you can make out?

Cordell

Coolant tastes sweet as well, if you dare to taste it. Also, it's highly toxic...

Del2005

Cordell wrote: »

Coolant tastes sweet as well, if you dare to taste it. Also, it's highly toxic...

Chocolate is also highly toxic. The dosage from chocolate or dipping your finger into a bit of residue on the ground would negligible.

lewis

Cordell wrote: »

Check the coolant, brake and steering fluid (some cars don't have it) levels, any of these leaking means trouble. If not any of these then maybe it's windscreen washer fluid or fuel. Is it greasy? It's easily washed off?

Coolant level seems normal, the steering was normal, I don`t know how to check the break/steering fluid.
It`s a bit greasy I`d say. There was some sand thrown on it and left for a few days, I cleaned it up today and the stain is still there.

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=455928&stc=1&d=1531765982

hi5 wrote: »

It will take a big oil leak before you will see it on the dipstick/warning light.

Looks big to me, it`s got a strong smell to it.

Del2005 wrote: »

Check what type of fluid is on the ground, is it oil or water put a bit on your fingers to check, then you can try to find the leak. No point looking for an oil leak if its your windscreen water leaking

It`s oily I`d say, in the picture is the general area where it`s leaking, I`m not sure specifically where it`s at.

Alanstrainor wrote: »

What am I looking at in those pics? I can't make out too much. What does it smell like? Coolant and washer fluid will have a sweet smell, oil should be obvious too. Any colour to it that you can make out?

Your looking at the area where the leak is. It`s got a strongish smell to it. Take a look at the picture, see if it helps any...

rex-x

Gearbox oil leaking from driveshaft seal from the looks of it

lewis

rex-x wrote: »

Gearbox oil leaking from driveshaft seal from the looks of it

Would it have been from sitting in the heat and not been driven for so long?

rex-x

lewis wrote: »

Would it have been from sitting in the heat and not been driven for so long?

No they just tend to fail from time to time. Generally they will slow down leaking once the level gets below the diff level but it needs to be taken care of fairly urgently

kona

Smell it, youl know soon enough if its gearbox oil. Its rotten.

lewis

rex-x wrote: »

No they just tend to fail from time to time. Generally they will slow down leaking once the level gets below the diff level but it needs to be taken care of fairly urgently

Can it sit there for a few days without it been driven, just right now is`nt a good time to get it fixed, something like next week?

rex-x

lewis wrote: »

Can it sit there for a few days without it been driven, just right now is`nt a good time to get it fixed, something like next week?

Yes it will be totally fine to sit there. I'd expect to pay about 100-120 for one seal and gearbox refill incl labour. 200 or so for both (there are 2)

Cordell

Del2005 wrote: »

Chocolate is also highly toxic. The dosage from chocolate or dipping your finger into a bit of residue on the ground would negligible.

Indeed, a smudge on your tongue to see if it's coolant or not it's no big deal, I did it before with no fear. But having a puddle of this stuff on the ground for your (or someone's else) pet to lick it it's no good.
But by the looks of it it's no coolant, and if it has a strong smell I would say that's gearbox oil, as said before me.

lewis

So I brought it to a mechanic and he said there's an internal crack in the gearbox, so it needs a new gearbox and clutch.

Before we left for holidays, there was a tiny stain in the ground, nothing compared to what it was when we got back.
Could the heat have caused it, the likes of expanding etc...?

The repair work costs are almost the value of the car.

ba_barabus

I'd be looking for a second opinion there.....

How did he diagnose the fault?

lewis

I didn't think to ask him, I just assumed it was down to the age of the car, wear and tear...

How would this have been caused, do you think..?

Alanstrainor

It wouldn't have been caused by our very minor heatwave. The gearbox would get hotter in normal use. I'd seek a second opinion also and mention this to whatever mechanic you ask to take a look:

rex-x wrote: »

Gearbox oil leaking from driveshaft seal from the looks of it

lewis

Alanstrainor wrote: »

It wouldn't have been caused by our very minor heatwave. The gearbox would get hotter in normal use. I'd seek a second opinion also and mention this to whatever mechanic you ask to take a look:

It was due to wear and tear, the car is 14 years old and we've had it since new.

ba_barabus

lewis wrote: »

It was due to wear and tear, the car is 14 years old and we've had it since new.

A gearbox doesn't crack from wear and tear.

If the crack was bad enough to identify visually there would be much more oil visible. He'd of had to remove it and inspect it very well to find a fine crack that just let out a very minor weep.