Hi

 

This might sound a little odd, but I though my Skoda Fabia 1.2 HTP had an oil leak, not I'm not so sure.

I noticed a few weeks ago, when it was raining, there was a stain on the floor where I had parked, off the road, to the rear of my house. Not a heavy oil stain but I could see a rainbow type affect to it, so I assumed oil, however when the floor had dried off, there was nothing on the floor. I checked under the bonnet and no signs of a leak and the oil level is fine. 

 

My car is the only vehicle parked on the back, due to work problems it has only been used a couple of times a week, instead of every day for the last couple of months. 

 

The same things has happened a couple of times since, staining to the floor where the car has been parked or even where i have pulled the car forward, leaving the engine running before opening the gates, some staining where the car was but only when wet and the oil level is fine.

 

I always thought oil would produce a black stain on the floor if it was leaking, but looking now on a warm night, there is nothing on the floor.

 

Could gearbox oil or power steering fluid cause staining to the floor when wet but disappear when dry.

 

I hope that makes sense.

 

 

Martin

 

No, it could be that rainwater running through the scuttle is picking up oil residue before draining under the car.

Could it be coolant? Not sure if that can give similar 'rainbow' effects. 

Thanks, I will check all the levels again this weekend, I never thought about it being residue, that could be the answer. I thought oil leak only because of the rainbow effect when it's wet, but there is nothing at all on the floor when the floor dries up 

 

I've not had an oil leak on a car for many years, and when I did, it left an obvious black patch in the floor.

 

Thanks for the ideas, I will keep an eye on it, levels have been fine so far, no warning lights and the car is running very well.

 

Martin

Hi

 

Following on from this, I have not seen much more signs of any leaking but a couple of days ago, I noticed when corning it felt as though a tyre may be low on pressure, so I checked the pressures and they were fine.

 

It was only the next day I realised it was in fact the power steering , I assume going off, for a few seconds, when turning a corner and going round a roundabout. 

 

I will check the power steering fluid at the weekend, currently I cannot get the cap off, as I need to buy a smaller monkey wrench to get at the cap.

 

I'm just wondering if this could be the cause of the leak I thought was oil and if the level has dropped would it cause such an issue.

 

I'm just seeing if anybody here had come across a low of power steering for just a short period, I know i will have to look into it as I assume it will only get worse.

 

Thanks

 

Martin

 

 

The power steering would leak when under pressure, not when parked, also the fluid would not evaporate leaving no trace.

Cheers Sepulchrave, I thought it was worth asking, Will still check the level this weekend in case it needs topping up. 

Just to update on this. I managed to get the cap off and I was hoping there would be some kind of measurement guide on the cap, as I had seen on videos showing where the power steering bottle was, but there was only a green stick as a guide on the cap, anyway, I unscrewed it, wiped it with a cloth and screwed it back on, but I could not see anything on the stick attached to the cap and it was also dry, so I assumed the level must be low.

 

I bought some power steering fluid, the correct one, and put in nearly half of the bottle before I could feel anything on the stick on the cap, so I stopped there.

 

The power steering is now back to normal, I will have to keep an eye on it as I assume there must be a problem somewhere, I have not checked the fluid for some time though.

 

Martin

 

Ouch, I'm guessing it's the rack itself leaking into the gaiters, give the gaiters a squeeze, if they're squelchy then you have your answer.

They usually leak into the passenger side rack gaiter from the end seal.

I will have a look, probably tomorrow now as the weather is not good, but does not look good though if there is a leak.

 

I have been reading about sealing liquids you can buy, if the level drops again, I might try some of that to buy some time as given the age and value of the car I think it could be time to look at a new car, which would be a shame as this had been a good car so far.

 

Martin

 

 

 

Undo the outer clip on whichever/both sides'  boot has fluid in - over a catch tray. 

Replace clip, forget about it for a month. Recheck level in PAS fluid reservoir. Top up if required. Monitor leakage onto driveway.

May be so slow and inconsequential that the car will expire from other causes before it needs any attention there.

16 minutes ago, Wino said:

Undo the outer clip on whichever/both sides'  boot has fluid in - over a catch tray. 

Replace clip, forget about it for a month. Recheck level in PAS fluid reservoir. Top up if required. Monitor leakage onto driveway.

May be so slow and inconsequential that the car will expire from other causes before it needs any attention there.

 

Yeah, I think in some cases they can weep for years, seems that mine has been. The level hasn't visibly dropped since I topped it up several months ago.

Thanks for the advice, that sounds a good plan, the car is in good condition otherwise and would think it could go on for a while if this does not get worse.

 

I have never done anything with the gaiters before, is it just like a jubilee clip I loosen then drain any fluid and replace?

 

Martin

15 minutes ago, mealmond said:

I have never done anything with the gaiters before, is it just like a jubilee clip I loosen then drain any fluid and replace?

 

Martin

 

The outer clips are usually just the spring type that you squeeze with a pair pliers to release. Just release it and give the gaiter a squeeze to see if there's fluid inisde it. The inner clips are crimped on. I had to use jubilee clips on mine as there is no room to get the appropriate tool in.

 

Edited 22 August, 20205 yr by TMB

Brilliant thanks, I will look at this in the next few days, seems simple enough.

 

Martin

I managed to squeeze the gaiters and both did not feel squelchy, I did undo the end of both, squeezed and nothing came out.

 

The steering is ok again now, so I will keep an eye on the fluid level.

 

Martin

 

 

Hmm, sounds like relatively good news. Wonder where that fluid went? Not coming out of any pipes/pipe junctions? Or out of the reservoir/module housing anywhere? (Can see more with N/S/F wheel and arch liner partly off).

Hi Wino

 

No I could not see any signs of a leak anywhere, I will have another look properly this weekend.

 

If I'm honest I have not checked the level for a long time, I will be doing now though, there were no noises or warning lights, just the loss of the power steering for a few seconds every now and again.

 

Martin

Been away for the weekend and I have come home to a patch under the passenger side front wheel, and it's not oil. The steering fluid had dropped a bit, but I would have though it would have dropped more given how much there is under the wheel.

 

I have bought some Lucas Oil Power Steering Stop Leak, which I think I will try tomorrow and see what that does, but not looking to good.

 

Martin 

Are you sure it's steering fluid and not screen wash? I wouldn't expect it to leak much when the car is just idle. If it is steering fluid it might be leaking out of the pump/reservoir rather than the rack as the patch looks too far forward to be the rack.

Edited 31 August, 20205 yr by TMB

Thanks Lee, I had not thought about it being screen wash, I have rubbed my fingers on it but it does not appear to smell of anything, is there anywhere the screen wash could leak from, but that's a good suggestion, I will have another look.

 

Martin

 

Screeen wash tank/pump is right next to the steering pump. Remove the T25 Torx screws in the wheel arch liner to inspect both items.

 

Edited 31 August, 20205 yr by TMB

Thanks for the photo Lee, I have just been out again and rubbed my fingers through it and it has and oily consistency, but  not engine oil. it sound silly, but the only way I can describe it is that it feels like bear oil, if that makes sense, so I assume it must be power steering fluid, but there seems to be a lot of it.

 

I have not had a proper look yet, looks like I need to take the wheel off and the under wing cover and have a good look, I wonder if a pipe had corroded or something similar, I can still see power steering fluid in the reservoir though.

 

The photo really helps though.

 

Martin

 

No problem. I suspect it's coming from that area rather than the rack.