Trans Fluid or Dex Cool?

[Sniper82]

Getting this under my car every morning for the past few days. Its a 2000 Grand Am 2.4. Its dripping from around the trans pan, I had the fluid changed about 50k miles ago and the coolant flushed about 10-15k ago.

Looks like coolant but doesn't have the odor.

Checked all hoses but can't find anything wet, the trans pan looks wet all around.

http://img505.imageshack.us/my.php?image=060uz5.jpg
http://img88.imageshack.us/my.php?image=058ah0.jpg

 

[Vette73]

Coolant is water based, trans fluid is oil based. Should be pretty easy to tell the difference.

Hard to tell without seeing/feeling in person but looks like coolant.

 

[Jugernot]

That sure looks like dexcool to me. As Marlin1975 said, is it slick feeling between your fingers?

 

[Sniper82]

Originally posted by: Jugernot
That sure looks like dexcool to me. As Marlin1975 said, is it slick feeling between your fingers?

Yes it is, but I got some 50/50 dex cool in the trunk to compare and it feels slick aswell. Would trans fluid with 50k miles on it look that clean?

 

[Jugernot]

How are your fluid levels?

 

[SparkyJJO]

Trans fluid should be red, with 50K miles on it it will be a darker red. 50/50 Dex-cool is more of a watery orange color. That is coolant. I don't know if those cars have trans coolers on them or not.

Try and get under there and see if it is only wet around the trans or if it is actually coming from somewhere else farther above and around, like a seeping radiator hose that is running down the side of the motor or something.

 

[Sniper82]

Originally posted by: Jugernot
How are your fluid levels?

coolant is fine, the trans is sealed with no dip stick and requires a lift to check it from under the car. I am gonna try and get up under in a few and see if I can spot something.

 

[CptCrunch]

agree with the reset, coolant. be aware that there was a recent settlement with dexcool equipped cars from GM. Might want to take a look to see if it applies to you if this is something more serious than just a slight leak/seal issue.

 

[Balr0g]

Coolant - yes there is a recall of some sort with GM cars and Dex Cool.

I'd stop using Dex Cool personally and go with Prestone, but that's just me.

 

[LTC8K6]

Water pump is going is my guess considering I own a Z24 and had that problem...

Check the weep hole.

 

[mooseracing]

Originally posted by: Balr0g

I'd stop using Dex Cool personally and go with Prestone, but that's just me.

Prestone sells Dex-cool as well

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: mooseracing

Originally posted by: Balr0g

I'd stop using Dex Cool personally and go with Prestone, but that's just me.

Prestone sells Dex-cool as well

That and prestone is the same as the store brand. Read the label as they are usually made in the same factory. Prestone is just priced higher for the "it must be better, it cost more..." people.

 

[Sniper82]

Took it to the shop couple days ago. Did a pressure check and all was fine other than the coolant tank cap, said it failed the pressure test. Said they thought it was rising in the tank and coming out the overflow. Well put a new cap on and still leakage.

 

[bamx2]

Get that dexcool out of there ASAP. Flush the system thoroughly with a flush kit . Dexcool destroyed lower intake manifold (aka LIM ) gaskets on lots of GM V6 & V8 engines . I am not familiar with your 2.4 engine . You will find plenty of information with a Google search .

 

[Quixfire]

It looks like DexCool coolant. It?s most likely leaking from above the transmission then gathering around the transmission pan before dripping off. Your shop could be correct about the overflow but I would think you would have seen some coolant loss. To be sure you might have to wait to see if the fluid still leaks after a week or you could rinse the fluid off with a garden hose from above and see if it still leaks in a couple of days.

I?m not very familiar with this engine to offer potential leakage points but the water pump weep hole is a smart place to start as suggested by LTC8K6 which I believe is located above the transmission and they may not show leakage when not in motion.

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: bamx2
Get that dexcool out of there ASAP. Flush the system thoroughly with a flush kit . Dexcool destroyed lower intake manifold (aka LIM ) gaskets on lots of GM V6 & V8 engines . I am not familiar with your 2.4 engine . You will find plenty of information with a Google search .

The 2.4L engine is the Quad Four engine.

 

[Mxylplyx]

Being a GM with dex cool, chances are it has eaten a hole in your intake manifold gasket, and is running down to your trans pan. Go get the system pressure tested, and thats likely what they'll tell you.

 

[LTC8K6]

Dex-Cool was not a problem with the 4 cylinders, iirc.

 

[f1r3s1d3]

Thats coolant not tranny fluid. Tranny fluid is darker.