Fluid near passenger wheel by oil pan. Doesn’t smell like coolant. Liquid is cold.

[poppe]

Well damn, thanksgiving drive turned a little sad today. Parked the car after 15 minutes of driving. Came back and this was dripping underneath near oil pan by front passenger tire. The Liquid is cold as it drips, coolant reservoir is empty (it’s 30 degrees here), but it doesn’t smell like coolant. Actually smells like water, but it is sticky-ish though not as sticky as coolant usually is. Oil level is normal on dip stick.

 

[AnyMal]

Well damn, thanksgiving drive turned a little sad today. Parked the car after 15 minutes of driving. Came back and this was dripping underneath near oil pan by front passenger tire. The Liquid is cold as it drips, coolant reservoir is empty (it’s 30 degrees here), but it doesn’t smell like coolant. Actually smells like water, but it is sticky-ish though not as sticky as coolant usually is. Oil level is normal on dip stick.

View attachment 3176980

View attachment 3176981

Steering fluid maybe? Is that empty?

 

[poppe]

Steering fluid maybe? Is that empty?

Hmm I’m

Steering fluid maybe? Is that empty?

how do I check that?

 

[AnyMal]

Hmm I’m

how do I check that?

Pop hood and pull off air separator, reservoir is right up front on the left side of the engine bay.

 

[kcjaz]

The Liquid is cold as it drips, coolant reservoir is empty (it’s 30 degrees here), but it doesn’t smell like coolant. Actually smells like water, but it is sticky-ish though not as sticky as coolant usually is.

Pics look like coolant. if you only drove 15 min and its 30 F out your coolant may not be very warm. Wouldn't expect cold but the leak probably didn't just happen today. There may be a puddle up higher that is cold and now is dripping. "Coolant reservoir is empty" would make me focus there first. The reservoir should not be empty. If it is, you likely have a leak somewhere even if this fluid you now see isn't coolant.

 

[poppe]

Pics look like coolant. if you only drove 15 min and its 30 F out your coolant may not be very warm. Wouldn't expect cold but the leak probably didn't just happen today. There may be a puddle up higher that is cold and now is dripping. "Coolant reservoir is empty" would make me focus there first. The reservoir should not be empty. If it is, you likely have a leak somewhere even if this fluid you now see isn't coolant.

I just bought red 50/50 to hopefully get us home. 1000 miles away. I finally was able to smell it and it does smell like coolant.

 

[poppe]

This was all that was available at oreilly’s. Does this work to refill reservoir

 

[AnyMal]

Yes, that and distilled water if above freezing

 

[paulunm]

Yes, that and distilled water if above freezing

It's already pre-mixed, don't add any distilled water (or anything else)...

 

[AnyMal]

It's already pre-mixed, don't add any distilled water (or anything else)...

yeah but he’s only got one.

 

[AnyMal]

And

yeah but he’s only got one.

he’s 1000 miles from home unfortunately. I would top off with whatever I can get in the grocery store, everywhere else is probably closed.