Technical Possible Dualogic transmission leak on the front grill?

Currently reading:
Technical Possible Dualogic transmission leak on the front grill?

liav24

New member
Joined
Sep 16, 2014
Messages
155
Points
34
Hi again
My car is a 2010 model 1.4 with 79000km.
I took a look at the front when i parked the car an hour ago, the front lower grill seemed to have some wet spots over it, so i swiped my finger inside and noticed that it is some kind of oil - not sure for 100% if it smell like transmission fluid but it does look a bit dark / brown and fresh - don't remember seeing it a week ago when i washed the car.

Maybe its from outside and i'm just being paranoid, don't know, because i can't see any marks over the floor, and by looking inside the engine bay seems dry also next to the radiator and the front.

Any other way to check if there's any gear leak? maybe brake fluid or so?
sorry for the picture its a bit blurry (well..HTC M7), and yeah i know the grill is a bit off its place, BTW - any way how to fix it?

Thanks!
 

Attachments

  • IMAG1383.jpg
    IMAG1383.jpg
    185.7 KB · Views: 165
Last edited:
You can check the dis logic oil by removing the bottom undertray. If it is low, it means you have a leak.

But that pic doesn't mean anything , a dualogic leak will usually be seen from the gearbox area as the dualogic fluid leaks into the gearbox itself
 
What you see behind the grille, is the airconditioning condenser. Looking at it, it has seen better days and I'm guessing it will be the original condenser fitted at the factory. It may well be punctured. The condenser has PAG oil and UV dye (although this is a very small amount) put into it with the refrigerant when fitted. Does the aircon still work? Have you ever had the aircon system serviced? You can have the system leak tested to see if all is in order. I'm just throwing this out there and I'm sure someone else will be along to offer further advice.
 
Thanks Ahmett & Frupi

Yes the AC it has seen better days (lol), well i am the second hand with this car but iv'e never seen anything related for fixing the AC, from what i know the ac system is still with the original condenser.
I have no idea why is it looking like that, maybe got hit or this is how it gets over time?

The aircon still works, cold air is flowing out in these hot days..but last time i used it was yesterday (no weird sounds or problems so far), but i will check it tomorrow to see if there's any problem with the AC.

Thanks again guys, will update


BTW Ahmett - how do you do that, im guessing i need a small lift for this job? taking off the metal cover under the engine bay?
 
Last edited:
Thanks Ahmett & Frupi

Yes the AC it has seen better days (lol), well i am the second hand with this car but iv'e never seen anything related for fixing the AC, from what i know the ac system is still with the original condenser.
I have no idea why is it looking like that, maybe got hit or this is how it gets over time?

The aircon still works, cold air is flowing out in these hot days..but last time i used it was yesterday (no weird sounds or problems so far), but i will check it tomorrow to see if there's any problem with the AC.

Thanks again guys, will update


BTW Ahmett - how do you do that, im guessing i need a small lift for this job? taking off the metal cover under the engine bay?
actually i think you can get away without even removing the undertray. just put the car on a lift and look under the undertray next to the gearbox, you will see the dualogic reservoir. Its a reddish fluid with max-min. If its below min, the transmission light usually comes on and goes off anyway.
 
Thank you Ahmett.

Well - i drove the car with AC on and did not noticed anything special or any noise coming out from the system.
Cant find any leaks under the car - thats really weird because as frupi said, that the leak / oil stain is really in front of the airconditioning condenser and looks related.

I know it is not ok when ther's oil leaking from anything mechanical - but how bad can it be if its coming out of the condenser?
 
Last edited:
liav24;4079770......I know it is not ok when ther's oil leaking from anything mechanical - but how bad can it be if its coming out of the condenser?[/QUOTE said:
I realise you've said your aircon system is 'working', however, if it has never been serviced since it left the factory, and let's face it, not many owners bother servicing their car aircon, I can guarantee you it will have lost refrigerant out it. Aircon refrigerant leaks out naturally through the hose joints over time, anything from 10 to 30 percent a year depending on the size of the system, (my Saab lost 33 percent of refrigerant over the course of last year and has since been serviced.) You are only going to be sure the condenser isn't punctured, by having a leak test done. Here in the UK, a full aircon service which includes evacuating the old gas first, deep vacuum, leak test prior to regassing with the addtion of PAG oil and UV dye, costs from £50 upward, again depending on the size of vehicle and it's system.

Loss of refrigerant out of the condenser may not necessarily cause you or your vehicle any immediate harm, though long term, refrigerant leaking out into the atmosphere is hardly environmentally friendly. Personally, I'd find an aircon specialist and have it tested to rule out if the oil/staining is condenser related. Concerning UV dye, I'm not sure if it comes in more than one colour. I'm not sure if that sounds daft, my own condenser UV dye is bright green. The UV dye is added to help trace any refrigerant leakage. If the condenser is finished, at least you then have the choice of either repairing it, or doing without it.
 
Thanks
I did checked the aC area, cant find anything its clean from the inside under the hood, but the color that's on the grill isn't green or similar - its dark / brown and smells like tranny fluid - that's why it sound even weirder.
I guess i'll have to check it again at the dealership
 
Thanks
I did checked the aC area, cant find anything its clean from the inside under the hood, but the color that's on the grill isn't green or similar - its dark / brown and smells like tranny fluid - that's why it sound even weirder.
I guess i'll have to check it again at the dealership
liav, as a fiat owner you need to be good friends with a good independent service center = )
 
Oh lol thats sad, but youre right, also - visiting the dealership goes every month :p sad but true
 
Back
Top