[SmithB]

OK guys my First post ,I have been reading this forum for about 6 months with great results so i decided to join, Here is what i got.
02 Focus ZX5 Ztec DOHC motor iam getting some wierd fluid on the ground over night it is right in the middle of the oil pan and tranny when i look under the car.
When i drive the car after it warms up i come to a stop light iam getting a little white smoke from under the hood on the driver side it has a very bad smell.

When i pop the hood it looks like something is leaking on the exhaust manifold right were it bends to go back under the car.

Thanks

 

[FocusKnot]

Oil from a leaking valve cover or coolant from a leaking thermostat housing would be the first items to check.

Does it look like oil or coolant on the ground?

 

[SmithB]

I originally thought it was the valve cover but i fixxed that and changed the pcv hose as it was collapsed in the bend in the back
Iam thinking it is Power steering fluid it is clear looking when i rub my finger in it and has a oil smell.

 

[sailor]

Do you have a manual or an ATX?

 

[SmithB]

Do you have a manual or an ATX?

I have atx

 

[sailor]

That eliminates brake fluid from a clutch slave cyl. (clear when fresh).

 

[FocusKnot]

...thinking it is Power steering fluid it is clear looking when i rub my finger in it and has a oil smell.

Compare it with P/S fluid by getting some out of P/S reservoir.

 

[Mandroid]

Is it oily or watery? Could it be the passenger side motor mount leaking its fluid? Mine did that

 

[SmithB]

It is oil feeling but very thin.. as soon as it quits raining I will pull it my garage and check the power steering fluid

 

[SmithB]

It is power steering fluid same texture and smell in the power steering Cylinder

 

[sailor]

You'll still need to visually trace the leak to it's source IMHO, since Ford ATF is the std. fill for both power steering & the transmission.

 

[SmithB]

Sailor
Thanks for the heads up i will do that

 

[SmithB]

Here is a few pictures I managed to put a pan under neath the car over night and it is anti freeze that is leaking. Car does not run hot and drives great. But coolant is going some were here is a few pictures

 

[sailor]

Thermostat housing on the Zetec is at the driver's side (left) end of the head.

These are a common leakage area, and any drips from there would end up on the center bottom & the ground.

 

[SmithB]

Sailor Can you see in the first picture there is something leaking by the exhaust manifold... I think i have a couple things leaking , is it possible the valve cover is leaking onto the manifold like that? I was pretty sure valve cover was fixxed

 

[sailor]

Gotta look at the valve cover area to see if any leakage of OIL comes from that high up, can't tell by looking at the bottom.

 

[SmithB]

Will do.