I have noticed a leak of fluid on the floor in the garage. The first time was about a month ago and it was substantial amount. Then nothing and again a few days ago, less quantity. The first time was after a lot of slow city driving. I remember the power steering was making some squeeky noises than have now disappeared. I am pretty confident the fluid is radiator liquid. Colour is greenish. The stain on the floor is centered around the place where the radiator liquid tank is located. The level of radiator liquid is close to normal. The car works fine and has no temperature issue, especially now being winter. Is this a serious issue that needs to be checked with urgency? Has anybody had the same problem? Can I fix it easily? Thanks, Antonio
Antonio, First of all: pressure test the cooling system to see if it is indeed a coolant leak. Should be pretty inexpensive to perform. There is an overflow for the cooling system, but the overflow tank is toward the firewall and to the passenger side (...in a LHD car). I guess you are implying there may be something wrong with your power-steering by referring to the noise? Separate issue. Check the cooling sys. first and then look at other things. Regards, K.
Well my radiator leak acted similar way.. very minimal drops on the floor but this should not fool you as the plastic cover holds considerable water thats why you dont see when standing still.. but as circulation starts.. you will notice drop by drop and after some miles engine heat may go up.. need to top with water and see the service.. at least this is what happened to my 456. I hit a bump (very very slow too) and brass radiators are soft and break welds very easy. (much better in heat transfer than alimun. radiators and fixable) If you can get it weld without taking it out great but if it needs to come out watch for hose connection as they may have become brittle and may break off during take out process.. Good service I am sure can fix it very quickly.. Thats of course if its the radiator. I am having a 2m alimun. protection piece to go right under the radiator leaving a few m space between protection and radiator. Good luck
Antonio, I know it's been two years, but was the problem? I ask because I've noticed the same thing a couple of times on my 550. I checked the coolant level after the yearly service, and it's very high. I suppose the guy who did the service topped up the reservoir with too much liquid and now the system is slowly expelling the excess. I have just sucked out 0.5 liters from the reservoir with a syringe to bring the level down to about 5 cm from the opening, let's see if it stops this inconsistent leak... Stefano
Just an update... The problem is solved, I've had no more leaks even in warm weather + frequent stops at traffic lights. It seems the expansion tank was indeed too full: the WSM says 6cm below the top of the filler cap, at the service they filled it to 3cm below, way too much! Stefano
