What is this oil leak?

[janousek]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190331/03c89a6809d8c9717dd22826051c1bde.jpg
Hi folks, I am wondering whether anyone can identify source of this oil leak. Its clear yellowish colour and dripping from the cross member. I cannot see anything above.
Its 2007 lr3 4.0 petrol and the car was sitting in the garage for bout 10 days.
Thnx

[kenl]

[biggrin][bigrolf] That is about as random a question as one could post, for what it's worth I think it's coolant

[janousek]

Not coolant. Its certainly oil but I don’t think its engine oil as what i gathered from the dipstick engine oil currently is looking lot darker.
Would that be tc or auto? My td5 has pink dex3 fluid but i have never seen what colour zf lifeguard is.
Thnx anyways.

[scarry]

If its not engine oil,from the position of the leak,one would think it could only be Auto or transfer case.

More like auto.

Put it up on off road height,grab a torch and have a good look.

Thats after putting a couple of stands under it incase it decides to lower.

[Eric SDV6SE]

Not coolant. Its certainly oil but I don’t think its engine oil as what i gathered from the dipstick engine oil currently is looking lot darker.
Would that be tc or auto? My td5 has pink dex3 fluid but i have never seen what colour zf lifeguard is.
Thnx anyways.

LF6 is that colour when new. A lot darker when old. Transfer case oil is that colour too, and the fill point roughly lines up with the x member. However if cover plates are on, the oil migrates.

Judging by the colour and location, I'd put my money on a blown Transfer case front or rear seal

[SeanC]

Has the transfer case oil been changed recently? As others have said it looks like TC oil, but fairly new, not the colour of oil that’s been in for awhile.

[PerthDisco]

Has the transfer case oil been changed recently? As others have said it looks like TC oil, but fairly new, not the colour of oil that’s been in for awhile.

As I found out there’s a copper washer for the TB drain and fill plugs but not the diff plugs.

[DiscoJeffster]

As I found out there’s a copper washer for the TB drain and fill plugs but not the diff plugs.

It’s next to impossible that the washer leaks, even if reused, assuming it’s tightened correctly.

[Lukeis]

Can I suggest you get on your back, slide under and take a better picture? Asking the group to diagnose a leak by looking at oil on the ground is just guessing

[DiscoJeffster]

Taste it. That’s a good way to find out. It might kill you, it might not.

[Eric SDV6SE]

Can I suggest you get on your back, slide under and take a better picture? Asking the group to diagnose a leak by looking at oil on the ground is just guessing

At least with oil on the floor it should be easy to slide under....


"Don't worry it's just horsepower sweat"

[Gregz]

Taste it. That’s a good way to find out. It might kill you, it might not.

... and if it kills you, you wont have to worry about it anymore. Maybe a cat or possum has got up in there an urinated itself silly [bigrolf] (sorry, must be Tuesday or something)

[PerthDisco]

Just did the diffs and TB today and here’s the new transfer box oil colour.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190402/574c27163a0e0f73c3a684146ad516a9.jpg

Here’s the new and (darker) old diff oil

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190402/25f27ae157cb6ada064853bf1deff6d5.jpg

That was front diff, rear diff cleaner both at just over 50,000km

Once you take the under protection plates off it will be obvious

[janousek]

Thnx all, also thnx for all the dry humour.

Transmission and t/c was serviced about 3 months ago, also had scheduled service a month ago. Considering we don’t use this car very often, it could be the auto fluid.
I have taken more pics and a video. LRA had a look at them and the car is scheduled for diagnosis later this month.
I will post the outcome for future reference. Perhaps it will help someone.
Best.

[DazzaTD5]

Give it a lick, that small amount wont kill you and then you will simply think "oh it tastes like some sort of chemical, so you can then rule out pee.

Was the auto serviced recently? was a metal pan fitted? I bet its the pan leaking at the back of the auto

[BrightBlue]

My bets on auto fluid. Bolts near the TC support mount difficult to torque (4.0V6) also if steel pan, pan needs some persuasion with a hammer to fit correctly.

Front/Rear diffs, TC and Tranny all have that fluid colour. Difference is everything but the trans discolours rather quickly.

If sat for a while AT fluid gathers in the sump.

[janousek]

I think I need to provide some closure on this issue. The car has been to LR mechanic twice and stay 2 night in the last visit. Unfortunately the results was inconclusive as the car did not produce any leaks. However mechanic was able to 1/2 turn 2 bolts on the steel pan which he believes may have fixed the leak. I hope its the end of it.

He suggested zf auto sleeve, tube seals and electric connector replacement in next auto service to fix shifting issue.
Thnx all.