How can i tell; coolant or oil leak ?

[franx]

All of a sudden i noticed today there's something dripping... looking under the car i could see a fresh drop of the substance; looked "goldish" to me .
Since it follows it's path down towards the lowest point i'm not sure yet where it comes from. It's not pooring out but leaving it for a few minutes will leave a 10 by 10cm stain on the pavement...

How can i tell if it's gearbox oil, or coolant ? The car has never had gearboxoil changed in 70,000 miles so could'nt really be looking that "clear" i'm thinking. Coolant is on the minimum level in the reservoir/tank.

When fitting the phase 1 airbox i kind of had to wedge it in there, noticed that the box is scrubbing one of the coolant hoses. Maybe this has caused this..

...help.... had a no-problem car till today

 

[DrR]

If it's coolant the cooland level will go down, if it's oil the oil level will go down, as for the gearbox oil, get it done makes it feel so much smoother again.

 

[LeeJSA]

Taste it - seriously - coolant is sweet - oil is...well oily! lol

 

[ditz]

you can tell by smell its a night and day difference.
should be obvious already but if it isnt stick your finger in whats in the floor, have a whiff then compare it with coolant from the bottle and oil from the dipstick etc etc

logical thoughts lol

 

[franx]

yeah well it seems "oily" but coolant can feel a bit oily ca'nt it ? Going for the taste next ...

Yes DrRollo; it was planned (box-oilchange) for this week, getting it done !

 

[franx]

... well that's just me ; see my car bleeding and screaming for help

How can i check the gearboxoil level ??

 

[franx]

Found the problem, even in the dark ..was easy enough..

With engine running it was pissing out coolant , right where i thought the problem would be; the filterhousing rubbing the little 90 degree coolant hose.