Help Identifying Mystery Leak

[Keith K]

I'd appreciate any ideas - 2006 Allegro Bay W24, 18K miles, Transynd in the Allison. Parked in a site 3 weeks ago; a few days later noticed a small amount of fluid on the ground under the engine. It's red, appears feels to be transmission fluid. A visual inspection under the engine showed a few drops clinging to the bottom curve of the transmission cooler line (I think that's what it is - blue hose?) and following it up the hose, a few drops on the nut that holds the hose. I cleaned it up, ran the engine, and nothing leaked. Two weeks later, the dried up spot has become wet again; looked under the engine, same thing. Funny thing is that I haven't run the engine or moved, yet the leak apparently started somehow. Ran the engine today, same result, no leak. Any idea why it would leak without the engine running; or was a line pressurized when I ran it last time and slowly bled.....?? We're pulling out for an 800 mile trip next week & would like to have some peace of mind before traveling. Thanks in advance,

[Keith K]

I'd appreciate any ideas - 2006 Allegro Bay W24, 18K miles, Transynd in the Allison. Parked in a site 3 weeks ago; a few days later noticed a small amount of fluid on the ground under the engine. It's red, appears feels to be transmission fluid. A visual inspection under the engine showed a few drops clinging to the bottom curve of the transmission cooler line (I think that's what it is - blue hose?) and following it up the hose, a few drops on the nut that holds the hose. I cleaned it up, ran the engine, and nothing leaked. Two weeks later, the dried up spot has become wet again; looked under the engine, same thing. Funny thing is that I haven't run the engine or moved, yet the leak apparently started somehow. Ran the engine today, same result, no leak. Any idea why it would leak without the engine running; or was a line pressurized when I ran it last time and slowly bled.....?? We're pulling out for an 800 mile trip next week & would like to have some peace of mind before traveling. Thanks in advance,

[LeeB]

Not sure if it the same but I had a similar leak but mine was coming from where the dip stick tube goes into the transmission... It would appear after sitting for a few days. I had a shop replace the "O" ring and it has not leaked since... You will also notice that mine is a 2003

[UFO Pilot]

I had a leak just like yours. The Workhorse repair facility put dye in the transmission and found it was leaking at the trans cooler. They tightened it up and the leak stopped.

[edgray]

At an Allison seminar, the presenter said these slow, small leaks are not harmless, and need to be repaired. He went on to say that they are worse than a catastrophic failure where lots of fluid is lost suddenly. Reason is that sudden loss = tranny ceases to function, whereas the slow leak will allow it to continue to operate without adaquate fluid until it overheats and real damage is done. Bottom line = please get the slow leak found and fixed, and keep a close eye on fluid level until then. Good luck, Ed

[Keith K]

Thanks guys for the advice; looks like I'll start tightening fittings.

[M&EM]

Double check that it is not antifreeze!

I made similar conclusion on a leak under the coach sometime after having done a radiator flush where I removed the engine block drain plugs. Apparently AF dipped from one plug after cool down.

Looked red and felt slippery like trans fluid but it wasn't

[Keith K]

Could be anti-freeze - looks like the drip comes from a bolt that also holds a bracket for the coolant line. Wonder if it's a block drain also? Ah, the mysteries. I may just have to watch it and let it get worse before I can figure it out. Thanks. At this point the only thing I'm sure it's not is oil or sewerage.

[paz]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Keith K:
Could be anti-freeze - looks like the drip comes from a bolt that also holds a bracket for the coolant line. Wonder if it's a block drain also? Ah, the mysteries. I may just have to watch it and let it get worse before I can figure it out. Thanks. At this point the only thing I'm sure it's not is oil or sewerage. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
One way to tell if it's anti-freeze or a petroleum-based product is to see if it's soluble in water.

[kennersonf]

This has happen to me on a couple of occassions and it always turned out to be a water leak due to loosened hose clamps. I would discover a few drops of fluid after sitting all night. Wouldn't leak when the engine was warm. On one occasion I remove the doghouse cover and found that the heater hose clamp needed a little tightening where it connects to the engine. Another time was the clamp holding the overflow tube to the radiator filler neck. The water hose clamps need a slight tightening from time to time.

["007"]

If you get your dog house off look to the right front of engine two heater hoses are clamped to two nipples in that location. You will have four clamps to tighten. Its a splice point for the two Evans heater hoses and hoses off engine. Have no idea why they didn't use longer hoses to elimiate this potenial trouble spot. I had a small drip when water heated up and drips on manifolds some people smelled the anti when I stopped in front of their camp site.

[Keith K]

Great tip on determining whether it's anti-freeze or tranny fluid. I'll check all the fittings mentioned; thanks again for all the help - I feel better about roaming through remote areas of southwest Texas now....Marfa doesn't have many Workhorse service centers!

[dieselclacker]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Keith K:
Great tip on determining whether it's anti-freeze or tranny fluid. I'll check all the fittings mentioned; thanks again for all service centers! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Kieth; give it the taste test. Anti freeze tastes sweet when applied to the tip of the tongue, and trans fluid, well it justs tastes oily.

Dieselclacker

[Jeff H]

Taste it?!! Yaa right, it's poison...many have used it in Gatorade for dirty deeds!
Do you know what hot coolant smells like? Then you'd know you've got a coolant leak somewhere. Take a look at your heater valve on the firewall. A very common leak place.
Why would you risk that 8.1 engine and be looking at a large bill? Get it checked out by someone who knows.