GIINK

1984 Mazda RX7 GSL - 93k... O.K., this is the strangest thing... I noticed a very small fluid leak on my garage floor in front of my driver's side rear wheel. Initially thought it might be some kind of oil leak but it looks like the consistency of brake fluid and is not as dark as my oil. I removed the rear wheel and took a good look around at the brake unit for signs of brake hose rupture or a leaking metal brake line, etc. but found nothing. Still had a plastic cup under the area from which it was leaking this past Friday night and took a pic of the amount of fluid in the cup on Monday morning. There's a drip coming from the inside wheel well near the front bottom rocker panel? (plastic cup is positioned right under it)

I took a few pics... anyone have any ideas?

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

Brake line leaking near the front or master cyclinder and its blowing back under and following the
body edges down to drip at the position of your cup.

Hows the level in the brake master? What about the clutch master? Both use brake fluid.

GIINK

I'll definitely check it out... and let you know if I can trace the leak from the front. Also, I will check the master and get back to you.

Thanks, David

GIINK

Checked the brake master and the clutch master and both are full... I need to get it up in the air and get under the front. I can see some fluid that dripped on the back of the engine, just under the oil filter cooler... any more thoughts? Might not be brake fluid at all but could be some sort of oil leak?

ray green

iTrader: (14)

If it's oil, it won't mix with water. If it's brake fluid, it will mix with water.

So, add about an equal volume of water to the liquid in the cup.

If it forms two phases or an emulsion, it's oil.

If it mixes and forms one phase, it's brake fluid or some kind of water-based fluid.

Like maybe juices from a dead rat under your floorboard?

Or, if it's been raining a lot up there in New Hampshire lately, it might be water that's slowly leaking down from a moon roof drainage tube that's partially blocked.

GIINK

Good advice on the fluid part... I checked under the front of the vehicle and wiped up any trace of the leak. Hopefully, I will be able to see where it's coming from. Seems to start at the top, initially I thought somewhere under the oil filter cooler area but can't be certain. Will keep you updated.

Thanks!

LongDuck

Did you leave an old bottle of engine oil in your driver's side storage bin? If it were leaking inside the bin, it might leak out from the rubber gaskets by the fuel pump wiring harness. That's a long-shot, but at 30+ years old - I'd look at everything! Good luck,

GIINK

You know that's really a good observation! I always would keep a quart of oil in the storage bin right in back of the driver's seat... that one will be easy to check and I'll get back to you.

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

you trailing arm is bent too

Jeff20B

iTrader: (13)

Did you taste it yet? Someone probably spilled a soda a while ago and it's just now dripping down.

GIINK

Long Duck... you are a genius! And also very observant...

That's exactly what it was... a plastic quart bottle of oil that was left in the storage bin on the driver's side rear. I always keep one handy and that particular one shifted while driving and the cap became loose. Wasn't in there for 30 years, only about six months. Needless to say it wasn't near full so I was able to clean it up no problem. Here is the culprit and the pics to go with it. Also, thank you to everyone who offered an opinion as well. My trailing arm is fine, just a bad pic angle.


Love this forum,
Thanks again!

Jeff20B

iTrader: (13)

At least it won't rust there now.

LongDuck

Even this blind squirrel finds a leaky oil bottle in the driver's side bin every once in awhile.

Glad you found it, and happy to help,