2nd Gen Ram Tech 1994-2001 Rams: This section is for TECHNICAL discussions only, that involve the 1994 through 2001 Rams. For any non-tech discussions, please direct your attention to the "General discussion/NON-tech" sub sections.

leaking red stuff!

  #1  
Old 01-01-2011, 10:20 PM
NTD69's Avatar
NTD69
NTD69 is offline
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Danville NH
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default leaking red stuff!

my truck is leaking red fluid from under the rad. support it's leaking a pretty good amount all the steering stuff is soaked what could it be?
 
  #2  
Old 01-01-2011, 10:21 PM
J415's Avatar
J415
J415 is offline
Champion
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 3,416
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Tranny fluid. Clean it up the best you can and see where it's coming from...and remember, don't let the fluid run dry. Fill it up.
 
  #3  
Old 01-01-2011, 10:58 PM
matty675's Avatar
matty675
matty675 is offline
Record Breaker
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Chesapeake, VA
Posts: 1,504
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

its trans fluid, fix it ASAP!

where exactly is the leak?
 
  #4  
Old 01-01-2011, 11:02 PM
John D in CT's Avatar
John D in CT
John D in CT is offline
Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: The Milky Way Galaxy
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Sounds like transmission fluid. It might be as simple as a loose fitting where it enters or exits the tranny oil cooler that's part of the radiator. Maybe the fan is blowing it onto the PS components.

I don't think the steel lines go bad very often, so if the fittings are all tight you might need some radiator repairs or replacement.
 
  #5  
Old 01-01-2011, 11:45 PM
rond97sport's Avatar
rond97sport
rond97sport is offline
Professional
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: rhode island
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

in newhampshire or i should say newengland everything rusts even plastic.
 
  #6  
Old 01-02-2011, 04:14 PM
99ram15005.9's Avatar
99ram15005.9
99ram15005.9 is offline
Amateur
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Has to be transmission fluid.
 
  #7  
Old 01-02-2011, 04:32 PM
95Erokram's Avatar
95Erokram
95Erokram is offline
Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Ive seen red power steering fluid before. Put in and leaked out.. not very likely at all but spotting the leak is a must to begin any assumptions. 99% its tranny fluid however
 
  #8  
Old 01-02-2011, 04:42 PM
HeyYou's Avatar
HeyYou
HeyYou is offline
Administrator
Dodge Forum Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Clayton MI
Posts: 80,671
Likes: 0
Received 3,170 Likes on 2,923 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by 95Erokram
Ive seen red power steering fluid before. Put in and leaked out.. not very likely at all but spotting the leak is a must to begin any assumptions. 99% its tranny fluid however
Some folks use tranny fluid for the power steering.... not really recommended, but, they do it anyway.....
 
  #9  
Old 01-02-2011, 08:30 PM
dhvaughan's Avatar
dhvaughan
dhvaughan is offline
Hall Of Fame
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Gainesville, Ga.
Posts: 12,204
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

^actually somewhere along the way i think dodge issued a TSB to use ATF+4 if all of the PS steering was replaced. i don't think they recommended mixing them.

here it is. i interpret it as - either is ok, but don't mix them.
the old fluid is amber. the new is red.
http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2003/19-005-03.htm
 

Last edited by dhvaughan; 01-02-2011 at 08:38 PM.
  #10  
Old 01-03-2011, 03:43 AM
Doug2287's Avatar
Doug2287
Doug2287 is offline
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I agree with the other posts. I tend to believe it is transmission fluid leakage. The fan can cause it to spread around the engine compartment usually behind where the leakage is occurring. The easiest way to locate it, is to first watch for low fluid levels, both in the transmission and the power steering unit. Next, go to the car wash and wash all the oil you can off the engine and watch closely for the next couple days to see where the oil is coming from. With a little luck and a small mirror, you should be able to catch sight of where the leak originates before it creates a new mess.
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: leaking red stuff!



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:12 PM.