mach30sir

Hello -

I'm still searching through all the information on here but wanted to ask of some help as identifying this leak on my wife's 2002 A4 3.0 Quattro with 105k miles on it.



Its a very clear fluid, not motor oil (pretty sure), or power steering. Maybe brake but I'm thinking its transmission. Its really hard to tell where its coming from but it seems to be coming from the back of the engine above where the transmission connects. I don't think its motor oil and i don't see anything leaking from the valve cover gaskets or anything on the top of the engine. Its a pretty aggressive leak with maybe a drip every 2-3 minutes. Any help is appreciated

Thanks!

mach30sir

Its coming from above this cooler and trickling down. This is on the passengers side, before the transmission fluid pan.

What color is transmission fluid and is it true this is a closed system designed to for little to maintenance?

The only other color this fluid matches is brake fluid, but the master cylinder is still very full and it doesn't smell like brake fluid.

Steamboat

Could it be gear oil from a leaking seal on your front differential (I think that's what it's called - the device where your drive axles connect to the transmisson)? I've got a 3.0 MT so I'm not familiar with the automatic transmission, but I did have a leaking seal on my rear differential. From my limited experience with gear oil, I have found it to have a more pungent smell than motor oil or transmission fluid.

lyleswk

Auto or Manual?

It isn't a "closed" system, there is just no servicing recommended by Audi...which I don't believe in.

mach30sir

Sorry about that, its an Automatic.

Thanks for the replies, I'm starting to think its a gear oil. I haven't worked on audi's before, mostly asian cars so this is all new to me. What color is gear oil? I'll keep looking around, but are they hard to replace?

lyleswk

Not sure about the automatic. Manual oil is dark and is shared with the Torsen unit. Don't think that is the same with the Auto. Maybe someone with an Auto knows.

mach30sir

I'm hoping so,

Anyone out there know the color of the automatic transmission gear oil?

Has anyone changed the "axle" before, does that fix it?

mach30sir

just a quick update,

I have the car parked on a cardboard box, and when i pulled it out to check, theres nothing on it, not even an outline of oil or grease. I think its been completely absorbed into the box. the puddle on the street out front is still there. Hope this helps, I really don't think its oil or steering. Still don't know what color gear oil is.

lyleswk

I think the auto has reddish fluid. Someone with an auto, pipe in.

mach30sir

The car is about 280 miles away, so troubleshooting this thing is difficult. The leak stopped and I had my inlaws drive the car around a little bit. After running an errand its dripping again. They say it has a slight orange hue to it.