355 Whitish fluid sprayed out of engine

Anti freeze?

 

I would check the cap and hoses near that spray

Did you have a service done or change coolant recently ?

 

If you don't see leak or had the coolant changed recently ..consider changing cap and wiping down area and re check after a drive

 

It is the cap on that rectangular tank right behind the power steering reservoir in your picture. Wait for the engine to cool before opening up that cap.

It looks like whatever it is, is being slung by the belt. My guess is coolant but even still I can't say 100%. Did you look at the front of the engine?

 

1. Broken or leaking coolant line.
1. Bad water pump.

 

The blue capped hoses are for fuel. I think you'd know if they were leaking from the smell of fuel... and the engine fire. The source is most likely elsewhere (as mentioned)

 

That certainly looks like coolant with the more detailed shot. I know yelcab and Quavion have already answered your question on the fuel block. You'd certainly smell fuel. My guess is that your water pump needs a rebuild. This is a much better problem than leaking fuel.

 

How close are you to a major service?

 

I would try to find the source of the leak first. Can you take it to someone who can do a basic pressure test on the coolant system? It might just be a loose hose.

The pump is right in the middle of the engine, so it is hard to get to from above and below.

 

Your engine out major just came early. Really, this is your chance to get your newly bought car to the care level you want to have. I bet there are a few more surprises waiting for you. Say ... engine mounts, CV boots, slipping clutch ...

 

Have you checked the coolant tank and oil tank for signs of mixing. I'm not sure how you can have a brown, non-smelling fluid. The "natural gas" smell is also puzzling. Refrigerant leak? Is your airconditioning system/compressor working properly?

 

The spray pattern suggests coolants dripping on a belt .

If anyone ( I am unfamiliar with the precise 355 plumbing being a 348 guy ) can maybe tighten up hose clips especially those first around the water pump and check the header tank expansion pipe drain run ……you might get away without removing the engine , the “ major “ .

Let us know the tank level when it’s cooled down , next morning.

 

The best method is a pressure test. It will find the leak without getting the engine hot.

 

I think it's time for a major service. The problem is maybe the waterpump, or maybe some other pipe of the cooling system: as time goes by, these pipes become hard, brittle, bulged or cracked and very few owners require a preventive maintenance replacing these parts when visually they still seem ok
A major service is not only comprehensive of the belts, the liquids and the oil with filters. The harsh enviroment of the engine bay and the time both slowly kill the rubber, the seals and the plastic.
A "major service" for some sellers is simply a "slap on belts and go" and the buyer trustfully buys.....and after cries for other's sins.

 

Looks like coolant. Pop the cover off the expansion tank and check the condition of the 4 hoses (and jubilee clamps) underneath, especially those on the RHS both at the tank end and where they connect to the rad pipes.
Looks unlikely to be the main rad pipe to rad hoses.
Also look at condition ( if possible) of the little S shaped hose (its tight down there).
If all that is fine, then water pump is next possible culprit. That's perfectly do-able by dropping the tank, if a little awkward. If it was the cap on the expansion tank, you'd have coolant everywhere, not just on that area.

You'll likely have to undo the fuel lines and move the divider block out of the way to see what's going on. Again, no big deal. Just make sure you put the lines back in the right way round...

 

taste it. that will tell you straight away what it is.