Crazy Oil Leak?

[razorboy]

OK,

Haven't posted for a little while since the ole X5 has actually been doing quite well. Only minor things to fix and the truck has been solid.

However, the other day I discovered an oil leak while the truck was sitting out on the street and this morning I pulled off the undertray to take a look. Very oily and grimey so I went after it with cleaners and rag to see if I could discover where the leak was coming from. The power steering lines that run across the bottom are obviously sweating and I am going to replace those but the highest point of the leak (only after driving the truck does it present itself) was coming from behind the crank pulley. So, easy right? I need a crank seal which is a lot of parts to remove to get to but problem identified.

Except!
The oil that's leaking simply cannot be engine oil! I run Royal Purple full synthetic XPR and that oil is clearly purple in color. The fluid dripping is 100% clear. Not a hint of color in it at all. So I did a dab of the leaking fluid on a piece of paper then compared it to the engine oil right off the dipstick and then the power steering fluid from its dipstick. Neither matches the color of the leaking fluid. I also cannot determine a smell from the fluid either. Nor is my oil level or power steering fluid level down.

The only other I could think of was transmission fluid. I have no idea what color that would be but this is almost water clear. It IS oil though of some sort. So what lines, couplings, etc. if any, run in position where it could leak down the back of the crank pulley and make one think they have a crank seal gone bad? Maybe, in some magical way it is the crank seal but take a look at the picture of the three fluids, side by side and tell me how that could be?

The leaking fluid is on the left, the Royal Purple is center and the power steering fluid is right. I went around a bunch with my flashlight under the truck to see if I could find another source of a leak but outside the sweating power steering line and the oil coming from behind the crank pulley, I cannot find anything significant.

Thoughts are appreciated!

[TwinTurboGTR]

Could it be the PAG oil from the AC compressor? I think that oil is clear.

[razorboy]

Originally Posted by TwinTurboGTR

Could it be the PAG oil from the AC compressor? I think that oil is clear.

I think it might be coolant.
Weird I couldn't see the green tint in daylight but when I put a flashlight under there in dark, I could see tint in it.
It makes sense as I checked the reservoir and I am down there too.

Now to figure out where it is actually leaking from. Any ideas what leaks down around the crank pulley? Might be the reservoir itself but I will check that in the morning.

Bernie

[Brandon002]

If it's leaking down around the crank pulley I would guess water pump.

[razorboy]

Originally Posted by Brandon002

If it's leaking down around the crank pulley I would guess water pump.

Makes sense for sure.

Do these waterpumps have a weeping hole that leak when they start to fail?

Thanks Brandon

B

[nebilex]

Hi OP, i had a very similar experience. Very light colored oil, thought it was transmission which was a scary thought. Then while getting my thermostat changed the mechanic told me my water pump needed to be changed because it was making some sounds when u spin it. Had the water pump changed and the clear oil leak is gone. So hopefully its the same for u since its an easier fix.

[razorboy]

Originally Posted by nebilex

Hi OP, i had a very similar experience. Very light colored oil, thought it was transmission which was a scary thought. Then while getting my thermostat changed the mechanic told me my water pump needed to be changed because it was making some sounds when u spin it. Had the water pump changed and the clear oil leak is gone. So hopefully its the same for u since its an easier fix.

Thank you sir.

Based on recent findings, I have to agree.
I just want to feel that leak at the pump itself before ordering parts. Going to dig into it today to confirm. Good news is that from what I see, its a pretty straightforward swap.

The other up / downer is finding the weeping power steering line at the bottom of the motor. At least it seems that way. I am going to swap the waterpump first to confirm that the line is weeping maybe it is just coolant splashing onto it. I doubt it though as there was a substantial buildup of crud on the catchpan.

B

[razorboy]

Just a followup.

Yes, I confirmed that it is a coolant leak coming from the Waterpump area. Ordered a replacement and should have it in within a day or two.

Thanks for the help guys.

Bernie