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Posted

Hi there,

 

I have just found a leak from the front of the Galaxy (2001 2.3 (auto) Zetec) and can not work out where it is coming from, I will look again tomorrow in the light. But wondered if you would know what colour the gearbox oil is and is it thick like normal engine oil. The leak seems to be clear-red in colour and only feels a little bit oily.

 

Recently had gear box replaced so wondered if this could be the problem, the only other option is the red coolant, but I don't seem to be loosing anything.

 

Thanks in advance?

Posted
...the only other option is the red coolant, but I don't seem to be loosing anything.

 

Yeah you do, you have a leak. Sounds like coolant to me. Smell it or taste it to confirm.

 

ATF is oil so feels really oily!

 

Power steeering fluid is also ATF, therefore oily.

 

Engine oil is black (especially in diesels) and extra-oily.

Posted

Thanks for that, Can you confirm if the gearbox oil is red and looks fairly clear. I was kind of hoping the gearbox oil would be the same as normal oil and be a yellow brown colour?

 

Sorry if it is a silly question!

Posted

From what I can recall many years ago, ATF oil was red and rather watery thin - not very oil-like at all. The VAG hydraulic oil I bought for the power steering was clear and somewhat thicker, but still thinner than new engine oil.

 

Coolant evaporates and leave a whiteish residue whereas oil obviously doesnt. Examine the water pump and radiator end tanks at the bottom for signs of leaks/residue.

 

It should be easy to spot a gearbox leak, remove the undertray (if it has one) and examine under the box. Its unlikely to show a leak "at the front" as slow oil leaks usually cover the under side of the engine/gearbox and spray back under the chassis.

Posted

Bah, stop farting about taking the car to bits and give it a sniff, then taste it. Yum Yum.

 

My daughter spilt sbout 3 litres of ATF on my shed floor recently and I can confirm that it's not really very watery although it was red. Smelt oily too.

Posted (edited)
Bah, stop farting about taking the car to bits and give it a sniff, then taste it. Yum Yum.

G12 Plus Coolant Additive

 

VW Part Number: G 012 A8F A1

Mat. Number: G 012 A8F 01

 

Harmful if swallowed. Keep out of reach of children. Avoid contact with skin

and eyes. If swallowed, seek medical advice immediately and show this

container or label.

 

Better to let your neighbour's dog sniff and taste it. If the dog seems to like it, it more likely to be coolant. WARNING, read below before attempting this.

 

The active ingredient of anti-freeze is called ethylene glycol. It has a sweet taste that appeals to both dogs and cats.

It is a pretty powerful poison:

 

* One teaspoon kills a cat

* 3 table spoons kill an average sized dog

 

Finally, I would like to mention that the decorative "snow globes" are another source of antifreeze.

The liquid in these displays contains the poison and liquid spillage from shattered

Edited by seatkid
Posted

Jesus, I said taste it, not drink it Captain Sensible!

 

We are grown ups you know, you can quit the nannying, the kids are in bed not feeding glycol to household pets (Soviet pilots used to like Glycol apparently).

Posted (edited)

1. Some people have no (discernable) sense of humour :D

 

2. If a teaspoonful kills a cat, don't think I'll try tasting it, I haven't mastered the art of tasting without swallowing...post-892-1219537207.gif

 

3. Apparently ATF is non toxic, but I have no idea how it tastes :D

 

4. Being selfish, I wish to live till I get to 100 - or thereabouts :o

Edited by seatkid
  • 1 month later...
Posted

Anti freeze topic again

A neighbour of a friend comitted suicide some years back by drinking half a litre of anti freeze and going to bed. I gather it slows down the bodies vitals untill you stop breathing. He stopped breathing.

Posted

Talk about value for money, he only asked how much oil to put in his gearbox and we get advice on how to kill cats and an insight into SK's wide range of interest. :o

 

I doubt if you would get that level of service on other sites. ;)

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