Technical Whats the fluid, where is it from please?

[Sproggy4830]

I have a 2013 Fiat fiorino diesel , i thought i had a spill of brake fluid on the drivers side floor mat , ive now taken the mats aut and cleaned them , in the four or so days its taken to clean and dry them , i now see a small pool of fluid at the bottom of the steering column as can be seen in the first picture. In the second picture(i have wiped the fluid up) it can be seen that the clutch cylinder push rod is almost directly above the area in the first column .
is it likely to be clutch fluid that is leaking. however the area where the clutch push rod is , is clean and clear from any fluids or could the leaked fluid be from somewhere else.? is this a common issue that is easily resolved. i bought the car from auction with no documents or any history at all
I am new to fiats and i have no manual /workshop book to work from , any advice would be welcome. thank you

 

[Mike1alike]

It is brake/clutch fluid and it's coming from master clutch cylinder. The seal is gone. It is relatively easy to fix, you need to put a new clutch master cylinder.
Isn't the fluid level low in the tank?

 

[Sproggy4830]

It is brake/clutch fluid and it's coming from master clutch cylinder. The seal is gone. It is relatively easy to fix, you need to put a new clutch master cylinder.
Isn't the fluid level low in the tank?

ive not had a look yet, does the cluuch have a seperate reservoir or is it shared with the brakes, sorry if a stupid question but ive not yet looked and i havnt any manuals /books to help, i am just researching it on the internet
Is the clutch master cylinder the one in the photo but on other side of the firewall or is that a slave ?

 

[jackwhoo]

The clutch master looks dry in photo.

Could be power steering fluid tracking up from steering rack.

 

[Sproggy4830]

The clutch master looks dry in photo.

Could be power steering fluid tracking up from steering rack.

ive been out and had a look , if the clutch and brake use the same master reservoir, then the level is fine, i have looked at the power steering fluid and it is down a little and the "leaking" fluid does more resemble that in the steering reservoir, somewhat black compaired to the brake fluid.

 

[Sproggy4830]

i think i need to get under the van and see if theres any more fluid fresh around the steering rack where it enters the vehicle, if so , is it easy to service the rack with a service kit or perhabs best get another rack . I have only driven the car about a mile home from the auctions i bought it from so i cannot comment on the feel of the steering but even with the above advice it now seem likely to be the steering rack thats leaking ,what with the smell , and look of the fluid. and as Jackwhoo says above the clutch looks dry and clean, i havnt wiped that area.

 

[jackwhoo]

Yes look under .
Clean any steering fluid off.
Don't rush to replace the steering rack.
Top up fluid.
Use van , regularly check fluids see if it's using much. If not just keep topping it up.

Clean it off again before mot test.

Try not to spend a whole load of money on it before you use it regularly. When you use it other problems that need fixing may crop up.

 

[Sproggy4830]

Yes look under .
Clean any steering fluid off.
Don't rush to replace the steering rack.
Top up fluid.
Use van , regularly check fluids see if it's using much. If not just keep topping it up.

Clean it off again before mot test.

Try not to spend a whole load of money on it before you use it regularly. When you use it other problems that need fixing may crop up.

the van has no mot at the moment , its not taxed either, i was in the process of cleaning it up , and just about to put the interior back in , when i saw the small pool of fluid near the steering column , i would rather get the issue sorted whilst its all in pieces rather then have fluid cover all the bits i have already cleaned up . i see reconditioned racks around the £200 mark , a sum i would rather avoid spending on it at this stage , so i fancy looking to see if a self service kit is avilable and do-able , i am reasonably competent at the work once i find out what needs to be done .

 

[jackwhoo]

Understand (-:
If you do find a rack repair kit please let is know and post photos of you fitting it.
Not something I have ever done......I was asked about doing one on a Renault master with on-board suspension springs.....No way ! Hard enough to get the rack out and in once, let alone multiple times if rack seal didn't work.so it was a recon rack - Not expensive

 

[Sproggy4830]

Understand (-:
If you do find a rack repair kit please let is know and post photos of you fitting it.
Not something I have ever done......I was asked about doing one on a Renault master with on-board suspension springs.....No way ! Hard enough to get the rack out and in once, let alone multiple times if rack seal didn't work.so it was a recon rack - Not expensive

the weather here is scorching, ive looked at previous mot reports that comment on oil leak from sump , ive just stuck my head underneath the van and theres a quarter inch of oil everywhere in the area i want to look for the fluid leak, , ive not jacked the van up . added to the fact i have a steep sloping drive i think i will have to leave it for another day , possbly get the cheapest rack i can find, and a sump gasket and do both DIRTY jobs at once , i will probably get a genuine sump gasket and a rack of any description from where i can get it the cheapest . i will report back with update but will probably be a short while till i do