Leak Detection

[jlw35]

To verify a leak that I have (and haven't isolated the source yet), what harm is there in draining the transmission oil, running the engine and then seeing if there is a leak? If I find a puddle then that would tell me it is engine oil.
I've tried to identify if this is engine oil or tranny and have done a side by side visual and feel as well as smell test but cannot say for sure.

Thanks
Jeff

[kilrwail]

Don't do that! If the transmission has no oil and it's in neutral, things are still spinning in there! Find the leak by careful inspection, when it's running and not.

[jlw35]

Thanks Peter, that's what I was looking for.

Jeff

[DieselSpider]

+1

The oil in the transmission also lubricates the seals so even if you do not have hard part damage you can then cause a leak where there was none before.

What fluid is requiring replacement even when you are not driving the car?

[klweimer]

The hot set up for finding tough leaks is using a little UV dye and an UV flashlight. You can get both on Amazon pretty cheap. You put UV dye in the crankcase and it mixes with the oil. Run the engine or take it for a spin and then bring it back and look for glowing tracks in your darkened garage. This let's you visualize where the leak actually starts, not just where it ends.

Some examples:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0081 ... UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Interdynamics-37 ... UV+oil+dye

Kirk

[jlw35]

Thanks Kirk, I'll try that.
The car is just now ready for the road after 4 years, still a little tuning to do. But after I ran the engine the other day, there was a large puddle under car. I know that a small amount of oil can look like a massive leak, but it's still more than I want.

I cleaned pretty thoroughly and wanted to have a better plan ahead before I run it again.

Jeff

[grrrdot]

I've had good success finding leaks using athlete foot powder.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aab-Ss-odtw
Some pics here:
http://www.fiatspider.com/f15/viewtopic ... 3&start=30

-G