UPDATE - I think I done it this time

[cmyX6go]

Driving home from work today, damn fool in the left lane holding everyone up. I'm behind him but stay left as there is a busy exit ramp coming up where everyone rides the center lane and either bolts right at the last minute to beat the line or worse, stops dead with their blinker on in the middle lane and waits for someone to let them in. Anyway...as soon as all the traffic subsides, I break right to blow him away, he's pissing me off as he has been holding up the left lane for miles. As soon as I do I see it too late, I think it was a chunk of concrete. I obliterate this thing with an explosion. It was a direct hit with my right front tire, I thought I had a blow out. Took my foot off the gas, did not hit the break and I'm waiting. Nothing, my tire is fine but I smell something. OK, I'm only a few miles from home. The X feels fine, no warning lights. I get her home, do a walk around and everything looks good but I still smell that smell. Pop the hood, everything looks OK (I'm a girl remember). Look under, don't see any drips. Go inside have dinner. I come out two hours later and see spots on the driveway. They are towards the rear on the passenger side, not under the engine area. How bad did I f*ck up? Here's two pics, I do have service tomorrow morning. I hope I don't find a puddle tomorrow. Where is the oil pan, up front or midspan?

[alpac]

Does it feel oily when you touch it?

[cmyX6go]

Originally Posted by alpac

Does it feel oily when you touch it?

It's doesn't feel like oil but it does have an odor to it. I'm almost glad it's dark out, I'm afraid to see what is there now.

[alpac]

What kind of smell? Gasoline smell? Rear passenger side the only thing I can think about is the gas tank also it pretty well protected. The stain on the pic do not look like oily liquid to me.

[cmyX6go]

Originally Posted by alpac

What kind of smell? Gasoline smell? Rear passenger side the only thing I can think about is the gas tank also it pretty well protected. The stain on the pic do not look like oily liquid to me.

No, it's not a gasoline smell. I know what that smells like. All I can say is it's a mechanic shop smell. Familiar but I don't know what it is. The liquid was not greasy or slick when I touched it and rubbed my fingers together.

[hayaku]

could be ac condenser water? not much tubing for fluids on the rear back right...

most of the fluids is up front. brake fluid in the wheel wells but that smells and is slightly oily to the touch...

[alpac]

Wondering if it would be brake fluid. Does it has a clear yellow coloration?

[cmyX6go]

Originally Posted by alpac

Wondering if it would be brake fluid. Does it has a clear yellow coloration?

I didn't see any color on my fingers. Well, at least I have service in the morning. As long as I don't have a huge puddle tomorrow I'll just drive her in. It's not the oil pan so I'm not blowing the engine.

Thanks Alain and Adam

[Eric Giles]

Sorry for the bad luck. Could you describe the smell a bit better-such as, does it really stink?

My first guesses are that:

1. Whatever you hit punctured the rear brake line, and you have a slight brake fluid leak.

2. Whatever you hit nailed the right side of the rear differential, causing a slow leak.

I ask you if it really stinks because gear oil that is used in differentials has a very, very strong smell that is unmistakeable. Brake fluid won't have that much odor, but it will look more similar to the drops of fluid you are showing-not that thick and more on the clear side.

Let me know about that smell again!

[alpac]

Originally Posted by cmyX5go

I didn't see any color on my fingers. Well, at least I have service in the morning. As long as I don't have a huge puddle tomorrow I'll just drive her in. It's not the oil pan so I'm not blowing the engine.

Thanks Alain and Adam

Test the brakes when you leave tomorrow and make sure they operate properly.