Grande Punto Mysterious Leak

[Santodel]

Hello I'm new to this forum as I only got my 57 reg Red Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 Sporting last Saturday. All going well and I'm so pleased with it. However; a mysterious leak has suddenly appeared. It only seems to happen when I start the car but it is leaving marks on the driveway and along the road for the first 30 meters or so. I've looked underneath when it's running and when it's stopped and can't find where it is coming from. I've opened the bonnet and nothing appears amiss. No lights on the dash so I'm stumped. It is clear, feels ever so slightly oily but of a thin watery consistency. It seems to smell slightly sweet if that makes sense. It doesn't dry up like water would and when I put a paper towel over it, the towel came back with a normal looking wet mark. I stopped by mechanic but they are closed due to Xmas and I'm not sure if continuing to drive it is ok or what the problem could be. It appears to be coming from the driver side of car around the area of the back of front tyre/or perhaps under where the driver footwell would be. Any ideas?

 

[cmosfxx]

Check coolant level with engine cold.
Also check near water pump for leaks.

If you are using AC on mornings to de-mist windows it's from the condensation drain near footwell.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Sounds like AC condensation and is normal TBH.

As above, check other area's for leaks also.

 

[Santodel]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm not using AC to demist and temperature level appears fine on the dash gauge. It isn't a drip it is more than that and runs a trail from drive way and down the road but when I turn off car, it stops so appears to be something when engine turning. It isn't dripping when car is off at all. Perhaps with the cold it could be a hose or water pump. Am I ok to continue driving it limited until my mechanic reopens? I'll check coolant level when engine cold later on just to see level and if it is low, that does that mean? A leak somewhere I guess.

 

[varesecrazy]

hi, and welcome to FF,

check the levels as a priority,

also worth checking the scuttle drains are clear, worth doing anyway..!!,

let us know what you find..,
if the levels hold then it's o.k. to drive,
Charlie

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

also worth checking the scuttle drains are clear, worth doing anyway..!!,

:yeahthat:

 

[Santodel]

Ive checked the level in the plastic tank at the front by the rad that has pinkish water consistency fluid in it. It is half full and between the min and max mark. I have no idea what or where a scuttle drain is The water pump was replaced 9K miles ago in 2013

 

[cmosfxx]

Check also brake fluid to make sure nothing is leaking.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Ive checked the level in the plastic tank at the front by the rad that has pinkish water consistency fluid in it. It is half full and between the min and max mark. I have no idea what or where a scuttle drain is The water pump was replaced 9K miles ago in 2013

Scuttle drain is the bit that runs the width of the car under the screen

 

[Santodel]

Doesn't look like brake fluid which I thought was oily and darker like olive oil. It's clear and water-like. I'll check the scuttle drain. Might even call out green flag as not sure when mechanic reopens.

 

[varesecrazy]

Doesn't look like brake fluid which I thought was oily and darker like olive oil. It's clear and water-like. I'll check the scuttle drain. Might even call out green flag as not sure when mechanic reopens.

fresh brake fluid is almost clear.. gets darker with contaminants.

the min and max marks can only be on the coolant expansions tank

DON'T bother calling the breakdown.., think you'd get as "frosty" reception,

as there is plenty of cardboard around this time of year, lay a sheet underneath the engine bay overnight, :idea:
check before starting engine,then start engine and see if fluid starts dripping,
that'll give a much better indication of how/ why/when,
Charlie

 

[Santodel]

I never knew brake fluid was clear; always thought it was amber like colour but does make sense darkening over time with contaminates. My mechanic reopens on Friday which I can wait for. I'll lay some card down overnight and see if anything drips down and try starting tomorrow to see what happens. I'll certainly reply after checking and once mechanic takes a look. Thanks for responses, really appreciated.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

I never knew brake fluid was clear;

Ditto

 

[cmosfxx]

When it's fresh it's like wine.
Also it doesn't smell strongly but it's nice lol, texture is more like water than oil but it doesn't dry up easily.

I gets darker after a while used

Check level to make sure it's not something critical like a brake line leak. Clutch also use the same fluid tank.

 

[varesecrazy]

I never knew brake fluid was clear; always thought it was amber like colour but does make sense darkening over time with contaminates. My mechanic reopens on Friday which I can wait for. I'll lay some card down overnight and see if anything drips down and try starting tomorrow to see what happens. I'll certainly reply after checking and once mechanic takes a look. Thanks for responses, really appreciated.

no problem ,
hope it's nothing to worry about,

fluid = ALMOST CLEAR

if you collected a cupfull you'd probably see depth of colour ,
but a few drops - less likely,
of course your's could look like GRAVY..!!

hope the card helps to narrow it down,
Charlie

 

[Santodel]

Nothing on cardboard so whatever it is only seems to leak when car running. Trail still on driveway and down Road. Looks like water mark but not drying up. Ever so slightly oily feel, clear and thin consistency. No real scent but slightly sweet if I had to put a scent to it. Kitchen paper on it looks like water. brakes and clutch appear to be working fine. Not going to use it til take to mechanic Friday just in case.

 

[KenMavor]

Really suspect this is either the aircon draining...it doesn't need to be on......or water being caught somewhere and then running off when you are moving the car. Will be interested to see if the mechanic can find any source.

 

[varesecrazy]

Really suspect this is either the aircon draining...it doesn't need to be on......or water being caught somewhere and then running off when you are moving the car. Will be interested to see if the mechanic can find any source.

I'd MEANT to put the card back under when you 1st run the car,
see if anything then drips / pours out..,

the fact it's not evaporating doesn't point to much in this cold weather,

Charlie

 

[Santodel]

Just been back out. There is a small puddle about size of 3 50p pieces together. It's clear and looking under car between 2 front tyres there is a panel or tray like thingy (typical girl speak) about 10in across. The drops coming from whatever is above that but looking in from bonnet I can't see anything.

 

[varesecrazy]

sounds like the plastic undertray..,

Charlie