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Slow drip near manifold

Tiny
RPJ
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO
  • 1.6L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 151,000 MILES
Hello,

Just got a Water pump and TB job done. Noticed a leak near compressor or manifold pipe. Looks like a clear liquid, it's not oil, antifreeze or transmission fluid. No odor to fluid.

Any idea what this might be? The leak happens when the car has sat overnight. Gasket or seal? Leak is a very small drip.

Thanks, any help is appreciated. The mechanic has not seen the leak.

Roosevelt.
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Thursday, April 21st, 2022 AT 1:26 PM

22 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,874 POSTS
Hi,

Are you using the A/C or the defroster? Both of these will cause the compressor to engage which will and can cause condensation, specifically on the steel AC pressure lines. Since it is clean and odorless, this is what I suspect you are seeing.

Do me a favor. Take a pic of what you are seeing and upload of for me. Hopefully, I will be able to identify it.

Also, I don't know where you are, but if you could avoid using either the A/C or defroster for a day, you could check it the next day to see if there is anything there.

Let me know.

Joe
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Thursday, April 21st, 2022 AT 6:32 PM
Tiny
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Hi,
I am in Maryland and even though it is Spring, we have some cool mornings and with the rain the defroster engages the compressor (GM Vehicle). I will take a picture tomorrow and send it to you. Thanks for your reply. Roosevelt.
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Thursday, April 21st, 2022 AT 7:02 PM
Tiny
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Hi,

You are very welcome. I'm right north of you in PA, so I know exactly what the weather has been. I'm still waiting for spring to begin. LOL, it snowed like crazy here over the past week.

If it is clear and odor-free, chances are it is water.

Take care and I'll watch for your reply.

Joe
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Thursday, April 21st, 2022 AT 8:51 PM
Tiny
RPJ
  • MEMBER
  • 76 POSTS
Hello, sorry to get back to you so late, life is busy! I have a picture of the area, it created a spot on the ground, water does not do that. It may be oil from the compressor, I placed my hand under where the compressor is, the splash guard is below it. Wiped away excess oil, I could not feel where the "leak" was, it is dry there. Maybe excess oil was spilled when the oil change was done? The darkest spot in picture is the "leak." Oil, transmission and coolant levels are fine, not losing any.

The car is running great, even at 151,000. Thanks for your help. Roosevelt.
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Sunday, April 24th, 2022 AT 4:33 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

I do see it. Here is what I suggest. Place cardboard under it when parted to see if it is still leaking. It's nearly impossible to determine what that could be simply because it appears to have been absorbed into the concrete.

With a little luck, maybe they did spill some when the oil was changed, and the leak has stopped.

Let me know.

Joe
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Sunday, April 24th, 2022 AT 7:05 PM
Tiny
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Will do, and I will let you know what happens.

Thanks, Roosevelt.
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Sunday, April 24th, 2022 AT 7:16 PM
Tiny
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Hi,

Sounds like a plan. I will watch for your reply. If it does get on the cardboard, it should be easier to identify as well.

Take care,

Joe
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Sunday, April 24th, 2022 AT 9:02 PM
Tiny
RPJ
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  • 76 POSTS
Hello,

Nothing under the car overnight. Whatever that oily substance was, it did not continue to leak overnight. My guess it is oil from the compressor (?), Ran my hand down there, it's dry. Do compressors leak oil when they go bad? Or from the high or low side?

At this point I'm not going to worry about it, but if the compressor gives me trouble, I'll have a better idea about what's going on.

Thanks for your help, Joe, I really appreciate it.

Also, do you guys still take donations? If so give me the directions on how to do it.

Roosevelt.
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Monday, April 25th, 2022 AT 6:23 AM
Tiny
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Hi,

It's not impossible for oil to leak, but it's very uncommon. As far as the cardboard is concerned, let it be there for a few days to see if anything changes. Hopefully, it was a one-time deal.

And thank you, but we no longer accept donations. However, your consideration is appreciated.

Take care of yourself and let me know if anything changes.

Joe
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Monday, April 25th, 2022 AT 5:50 PM
Tiny
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I certainly will, thank you again Joe.

Roosevelt.
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Monday, April 25th, 2022 AT 8:00 PM
Tiny
RPJ
  • MEMBER
  • 76 POSTS
Hello Joe,

Here are some pictures from the vehicle, the slow leak is still happening when the vehicle sits overnight. I hope you can see them. Thanks for your help. Also, the last two pictures are the leak captured in a cup, the second picture, a drip is in the foreground.

Roosevelt.
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Thursday, April 28th, 2022 AT 2:50 PM
Tiny
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Hi,

Is your oil that clean? If not, then it could be power steering fluid or coolant.

I am so sorry, but I can't find the drip in pic 2. LOL I looked at it for about 10 minutes with no luck.

The oil pan looks completely dry, so I don't suspect oil from there. Take your hand when the engine is cold and run it along the radiator hoses and the coolant reservoir bottom to see if anything is wet.

Also, if you can let me know where to look in pic 2, it may help.

I will watch for your reply.

Joe
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Thursday, April 28th, 2022 AT 6:58 PM
Tiny
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Hello,

The coolant reservoir is on the opposite side of the motor, which was changed about 2 years ago after a leak was found. The oil change was done at the same time as the TB/WP which is why the oil is so clean, but the oil level in the engine has not changed.

In pic 2, the black in the picture is the drip from the bottom of the engine, above the O2 sensor, the splash guard is where the leak is falling. I will check the hoses again, but I did not see a leak there when I checked before.

I will let you know, thanks again. Roosevelt.
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Thursday, April 28th, 2022 AT 8:32 PM
Tiny
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Check all around the hoses and anything that carries coolant. It can travel for a distance.

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, April 29th, 2022 AT 6:39 PM
Tiny
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I'll check in the morning. Thanks, Roosevelt. No leaks near the radiator and both hoses are good.
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Friday, April 29th, 2022 AT 7:20 PM
Tiny
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Check at the thermostat housing. Also, I'm wondering if it is coming from the water pump. The pump has a weep hole that coolant can leak from if the seal or bearing fails. This vehicle makes it somewhat difficult to replace if it is bad. The timing belt needs to be removed.

I attached a pic below showing the pump (pic 1). It will be behind the timing belt cover so check if any coolant is around the cover itself.

The cover is plastic and two-piece (pic 2). If you remove the bolts holding it in place, you may be able to tilt it enough to see if anything is wet on the timing belt or in that area. The serpentine belt will prevent it from moving too far, but that can be removed if needed.

Let me know.

Joe

See pics below.
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Friday, April 29th, 2022 AT 7:55 PM
Tiny
RPJ
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Hello Joe,

The fluid that is leaking is the same color as the coolant in the reservoir. It's probably leaking from the weep hole as you stated. I will take it back to the mechanic on Monday, leave it overnight, with something to catch the coolant so he can check it.

I've had other seals on previous vehicles that leaked when the car sat overnight, so maybe this is the issue.

Thanks again and I will let you know what happens.

Roosevelt.
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Saturday, April 30th, 2022 AT 7:50 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

I haven't heard from you for a couple of days and was wondering if you made any progress. I'm just interested in knowing.

Take care,

Joe
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Monday, May 2nd, 2022 AT 7:23 PM
Tiny
RPJ
  • MEMBER
  • 76 POSTS
Hello,

I gave an update on Saturday April 30, you can scroll back up to see it.

The mechanic will look at the vehicle on Tuesday May 3, overnight is when the slow drip happens, I will let you know the result.

Thanks for following up with me.

Roosevelt.
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Monday, May 2nd, 2022 AT 8:27 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

I'm sorry I didn't even see that update. Let me know. I'm really interested in knowing his thoughts after checking it.

Take care,

Joe
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Tuesday, May 3rd, 2022 AT 3:41 PM

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