Puddles: Oil, Coolant, Gearbox, Brake And PAS

The Stain Lies

A puddle on the drive, or a wet patch under the bay, wants a name. Air under the car blows oil backwards, and an undershield hides the real joint. Smell and colour help. Some leaks only appear with the engine running. If you cannot see the source, drop the shield, clean the area, and park overnight on clean paper.

What You Are Looking At

• Engine oil: sump drain plug, or the base of the filter.
• Coolant: often a pale crystalline crust around the weep.
• Gearbox oil: inboard driveshaft oil seals.
• Brake fluid: a wet wheel is almost always a caliper or hose. Do not drive it.
• Power steering: pipe unions on the steering rack.

Most of these fluids are poisonous. Wash skin, change clothes, keep them off paint.