New fluid leak

I have a 2001 with 68K. It has suddenly started to drip fluid near the
differential, dead center on the floor. The fluid looks and feels much
like power steering fluid, no color at all, but oily to the touch. The
PS level was low, but I can't imagine that system is routed near the
back of the car. What should I be looking for? I don't have a method
to get the car in the air for a thorough exam. Thanks.

"FBNE" > wrote in message
news
>I have a 2001 with 68K. It has suddenly started to drip fluid near
>the differential, dead center on the floor. The fluid looks and feels
>much like power steering fluid, no color at all, but oily to the
>touch. The PS level was low, but I can't imagine that system is
>routed near the back of the car. What should I be looking for? I
>don't have a method to get the car in the air for a thorough exam.
>Thanks.

My first thought would be an output shaft seal. Take a look between
your mufflers and see if you can see where it may be slinging it onto
one side or the other of the rear tub. If that is what is dripping it
is a bad differential leak and it needs fixing but should have a light
green/blue color to it. My '04 leaked on the right side with only
14,000 miles on the clock. If you have an automatic there are 2
connections just forward of the right axle that could leak.

How's your brake fluid level?

On 2/5/2011 7:56 PM, Dad wrote:
>
> "FBNE" > wrote in message
> news
>> I have a 2001 with 68K. It has suddenly started to drip fluid near the
>> differential, dead center on the floor. The fluid looks and feels much
>> like power steering fluid, no color at all, but oily to the touch. The
>> PS level was low, but I can't imagine that system is routed near the
>> back of the car. What should I be looking for? I don't have a method
>> to get the car in the air for a thorough exam. Thanks.
>
> My first thought would be an output shaft seal. Take a look between your
> mufflers and see if you can see where it may be slinging it onto one
> side or the other of the rear tub. If that is what is dripping it is a
> bad differential leak and it needs fixing but should have a light
> green/blue color to it. My '04 leaked on the right side with only 14,000
> miles on the clock. If you have an automatic there are 2 connections
> just forward of the right axle that could leak.
>
> How's your brake fluid level?

Brake fluid is good. I crawled under and the seals on both sides are
dry. My original thought about the fluid being clear may be wrong, I
could see a lot of transmission fluid forward of the differential. I
will try and get a better look in the daylight tomorrow.

On 2/5/2011 7:56 PM, Dad wrote:
>
> "FBNE" > wrote in message
> news
>> I have a 2001 with 68K. It has suddenly started to drip fluid near the
>> differential, dead center on the floor. The fluid looks and feels much
>> like power steering fluid, no color at all, but oily to the touch. The
>> PS level was low, but I can't imagine that system is routed near the
>> back of the car. What should I be looking for? I don't have a method
>> to get the car in the air for a thorough exam. Thanks.
>
> My first thought would be an output shaft seal. Take a look between your
> mufflers and see if you can see where it may be slinging it onto one
> side or the other of the rear tub. If that is what is dripping it is a
> bad differential leak and it needs fixing but should have a light
> green/blue color to it. My '04 leaked on the right side with only 14,000
> miles on the clock. If you have an automatic there are 2 connections
> just forward of the right axle that could leak.
>
> How's your brake fluid level?
I got the car in the air today and it is a transmission fluid leak. I
tightened the pan bolts and pressure washed the under carriage. I have
a piece of butcher paper under the car now to see exactly where it is
coming from. With any luck at all my pan bolts were loose and allowed a
leak, could be time for a fluid flush and a new gasket.

"FBNE" > wrote in message
...
> On 2/5/2011 7:56 PM, Dad wrote:
>>
>> "FBNE" > wrote in message
>> news
>>> I have a 2001 with 68K. It has suddenly started to drip fluid near
>>> the
>>> differential, dead center on the floor. The fluid looks and feels
>>> much
>>> like power steering fluid, no color at all, but oily to the touch.
>>> The
>>> PS level was low, but I can't imagine that system is routed near
>>> the
>>> back of the car. What should I be looking for? I don't have a
>>> method
>>> to get the car in the air for a thorough exam. Thanks.
>>
>> My first thought would be an output shaft seal. Take a look between
>> your
>> mufflers and see if you can see where it may be slinging it onto
>> one
>> side or the other of the rear tub. If that is what is dripping it
>> is a
>> bad differential leak and it needs fixing but should have a light
>> green/blue color to it. My '04 leaked on the right side with only
>> 14,000
>> miles on the clock. If you have an automatic there are 2
>> connections
>> just forward of the right axle that could leak.
>>
>> How's your brake fluid level?
> I got the car in the air today and it is a transmission fluid leak.
> I tightened the pan bolts and pressure washed the under carriage. I
> have a piece of butcher paper under the car now to see exactly where
> it is coming from. With any luck at all my pan bolts were loose and
> allowed a leak, could be time for a fluid flush and a new gasket.

That's a bit odd, not sure why those bolts would come loose. I think
your fluid change is slated for 100,000. To drop the pan it take 5
quarts, a dry unit takes 21 + quarts so all you will be doing is
taking the sludge out of the pan. GM pan gasket number 8654799, and I
believe they have updated their fluid to a new series. Don't over look
the coolant tube connectors on the right side forward, up high. Good
luck

On 2/6/2011 6:53 PM, Dad wrote:
>
> "FBNE" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On 2/5/2011 7:56 PM, Dad wrote:
>>>
>>> "FBNE" > wrote in message
>>> news >>>> I have a 2001 with 68K. It has suddenly started to drip fluid near the
>>>> differential, dead center on the floor. The fluid looks and feels much
>>>> like power steering fluid, no color at all, but oily to the touch. The
>>>> PS level was low, but I can't imagine that system is routed near the
>>>> back of the car. What should I be looking for? I don't have a method
>>>> to get the car in the air for a thorough exam. Thanks.
>>>
>>> My first thought would be an output shaft seal. Take a look between your
>>> mufflers and see if you can see where it may be slinging it onto one
>>> side or the other of the rear tub. If that is what is dripping it is a
>>> bad differential leak and it needs fixing but should have a light
>>> green/blue color to it. My '04 leaked on the right side with only 14,000
>>> miles on the clock. If you have an automatic there are 2 connections
>>> just forward of the right axle that could leak.
>>>
>>> How's your brake fluid level?
>> I got the car in the air today and it is a transmission fluid leak. I
>> tightened the pan bolts and pressure washed the under carriage. I have
>> a piece of butcher paper under the car now to see exactly where it is
>> coming from. With any luck at all my pan bolts were loose and allowed
>> a leak, could be time for a fluid flush and a new gasket.
>
> That's a bit odd, not sure why those bolts would come loose. I think
> your fluid change is slated for 100,000. To drop the pan it take 5
> quarts, a dry unit takes 21 + quarts so all you will be doing is taking
> the sludge out of the pan. GM pan gasket number 8654799, and I believe
> they have updated their fluid to a new series. Don't over look the
> coolant tube connectors on the right side forward, up high. Good luck
To date, the leak stopped with the tightening of the pan bolts. Damn AZ
roads must have vibrated into submission.