Antifreeze leaking

Tiny
LACEYMOORE
  • MEMBER
  • 2010 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
  • 2.5L
  • 5 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 26,000 MILES
Suddenly after washing car went to vacuum and saw lime green fluid draining from front of car. The overflow has orange though. The only leak I could see with brief look was right before the overflow. Can't tell exactly where from under car because fell on ground in two spots, but I have a skid plate so it was coming off that so couldn't see exactly where from car itself. Car doesn't register hot. Past two weeks gas has been going super fast though and some white smoke from tailpipe. Also two weeks ago car would shut off upon slow down or stop. It stopped after two days though. Doesn't seem to have as much power behind it when driving. Like cuts out almost. Sometimes it does smell hot and codes read it's burning too rich. Also when starting car it begins with super high and rough and loud idle. You have to push gas few times to get the rev down.I'm single mom recently and this is literally the only thing my kids and I have so i'm panicking and stuck.
Monday, May 31st, 2021 AT 10:31 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Can you get a picture of this fluid? Clearly coolant is normally green but these days it could be orange, purple, or yellow. However, there are a number of oils that are lime green in color as well so if the coolant is orange in the overflow bottle and it doesn't appear to be overheating then I am thinking it could be a different fluid.

To try and confirm this for cooling leaks we need to pressure test it. Here are a couple guides that will help with this:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test

https://youtu.be/W8kra65m15c

Then can you touch the fluid and rub it between your fingers. If it feels like water then that is most likely coolant. If it is more slick and thicker then that may be an oil.

Let us know what you find with this. Thanks
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Tuesday, June 1st, 2021 AT 8:36 AM

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