I have thin red fluid leaking near the crank pulley when truck is turned off in my 2008 Dodge Ram
theres thin red fluid leaking from under the crank pully when i shut the truck off. comes out quickly but stops shortly after, i lose about a shot glass of fluid every time.
My car has 101000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hello. Most of the time when this occurs it is due to the water pump failing. The coolant in this engine is typically red in color and will be thin. It can be from the power steering but that is not too common. I would usually get under the vehicle and check the water pump for signs of leakage and in some cases I would need to pressure test the system to locate it, but it does sound like it is the water pump. If you want to have this looked at, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to you to [diagnose where the leak is coming from] https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/coolant-is-leaking-inspection
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
Red fluid: A leak that is pink or dark red in color is likely transmission fluid. This should smell odorless and originate near the middle or front of your car. If you confirm this as the source of the leak, check the transmission fluid levels and refill as needed.
Pink, Yellow, or Green Fluid
If you notice a leak that is pink, yellow, or green in color, you are witnessing a coolant leak.
Red Fluid. There are two types of fluid in your vehicle that are red, which is the transmission fluid, and the power steering fluid.
Transmission fluid leaks will usually be reddish brown in color with a thin viscosity (new fluid) or brown with a thicker viscosity (old fluid). These leaks will typically be found near your car`s middle section.
If you notice red fluid leaking from your car, it`s more than likely a transmission fluid leak. The red color makes it easy to identify the issue. Other ways to know if there`s a transmission leak include: Odor: Transmission fluid will normally smell like petroleum.
Color Guide to Your Vehicle`s Transmission Fluid
Normal: Darker brick red. Service your vehicle soon: Deep blood red/rust red. Service your vehicle immediately: Burnt/almost black.
Yellow – Yellow fluid indicates a radiator coolant leak, which can happen if there is a loose hose clamp or a damaged o-ring. This is vital to fix as soon as possible. Green – Green fluid can point to an antifreeze leak. Antifreeze can start to leak when certain hoses, fittings, or clamps have worn out.
Normal Transmission Fluid: Darker brick red.
Many vehicle fluids have been dyed for easy identification, and transmission fluid is no exception. Newer transmission fluid is a translucent dark red color, but over time, it will become even darker through use.
Engine coolant can also be red. In fact, it can be a wide variety of colors from green to blue to red to yellow. Oftentimes, the engine coolant will leak from the front of your automobile toward the center. This can signal a water pump or radiator leak.
A reddish-brown liquid leaking near the power steering reservoir could be power steering fluid. Unlike motor oil or transmission fluid, this`ll have a slightly sweet, burnt smell to it.
Transmission Fluid Color Range
Fresh fluid: Dark red. Normal color change: Darker brick red. Expect to replace the fluid soon: Deep blood red/rust red.
The torque converter pushes the transmission oil throughout the transmission. It`s basically a pump, and if this pump develops a crack, you`ll end up with a transmission leak. The needle bearings inside the torque converter can also get damaged and this, too, will cause a transmission fluid leak under your car.
A puddle on the ground: The most obvious sign of a transmission leak is discovering a pool of transmission fluid under your vehicle. Most leaks start small, so check your regular parking spot often. A few drops aren`t necessarily a major problem, but it will be the sign that you have the start of a leak.
CVT Fluid comes in red, Color does not indicate quality or product applications. Note: Please consult your vehicle owners` manual for proper transmission luid requirements. CVT Fluid is a functional part of the Continuously Variable Transmission.
Causes of Transmission Fluid Leaks
Over time, road debris and heat can cause the transmission fluid lines to crack or break, which can cause fluid to leak out. Another reason for lost fluid is your vehicle`s torque pump has become cracked or an axle seal has been compromised.
In case the problem is a transmission leak, a simple reseal service, and transmission fluid flush is all you need to fix the problem. However, if your transmission is severely damaged, you`ll probably need a replacement transmission for your car.
If you`re not sure what the color of the fluid is, place a piece of clean, white paper under your engine and leave it overnight. The next morning, see if there are any oil stains on your paper. Checking the fluid`s consistency and odor is also a good idea. Oil has a slick, thick feel and can smell gassy.
Clues You Have an Antifreeze Leak
Puddles under the car of lime-green, orange, pink, or blue-green after you`ve parked. Antifreeze makers use those dye colors to differentiate coolant from other fluids used in cars. Engine oil is gold or black (when dirty), and transmission fluid is dark red.
Contaminated or old transmission fluid will be a dark brown or black color. The darker the fluid, the more critical it is that you replace it. The fluid may also have a burnt smell. ATF fluid is red when new, and will become a darker red as it`s used in the transmission.
If your transmission fluid looks like a strawberry milkshake, you`ve got water in the transmission. Once water gets into the transmission enough to affect operation, a rebuild is required. It doesn`t take much–less than an ounce of water can cause problems.
Different Brake Fluid Types
DOT 3 Brake fluid: Typically in clear, yellow, blue, and red shades. DOT 4 Brake fluid: Typically in light yellow or crimson red shades. DOT 5 Brake fluid: Typically in purple shades. DOT 5.1 Brake fluid: Typically in clear, yellow, and blue shades.
One of the factors that distinguish the difference between Orange and Red or Pink coolants, is that Red and Pink coolants do not contain silicates or Phosphates. This is because silicates or phosphates can be damaging to some types of seals, gaskets and metals in certain models of vehicles.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
I have thin red fluid leaking near the crank pulley when truck is turned off in my 2008 Dodge Ram
ANSWER : Hello. Most of the time when this occurs it is due to the water pump failing. The coolant in this engine is typically red in color and will be thin. It can be from the power steering but that is not too common. I would usually get under the vehicle and check the water pump for signs of leakage and in some cases I would need to pressure test the system to locate it, but it does sound like it is the water pump. If you want to have this looked at, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to you to [diagnose where the leak is coming from] https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/coolant-is-leaking-inspection
I parked my truck for 5-10 mins. Tried to turn it on, now it wont start, called a tow tow truck 15-20mins later my truck turned on
ANSWER : It is very likely that you have a powertrain control module failure. This can happen often on many GM vehicles. I would recommend having the powertrain control module tested and replaced as necessary in order to resolve this issue. After the powertrain control module is replaced, a reflash procedure will be required so that the vehicle can relearn all of its primary engine data. Once the reflash is completed, your vehicle should no longer have this issue.
Transmission fluid leaked while pulling a car out of mud
ANSWER : From the description you’re giving me, I’m not sure. I know many Fords, including my F150, have a circular seal type bell housing inspection cover near the transmission. Fluid pooled in this area generally indicates an engine oil leak from the rear main seal or a transmission leak from the front pump seal. The only way to know for sure is to have your truck’s transmission leak inspected firsthand by a professional. The team at YourMechanic is an excellent option since we make house calls.
Car turns off. First it would turn off in reverse and when I would stop at a red light or slow down to make a turn.
ANSWER : Hi there. For the reverse stalling condition, check the Idle Air Control Valve and see if its plugged up. If a IAC valve is plugged up, an engine will stall out when going into gear and could cause issues when slowing down. For the steering and stalling issue, check the power steering fluid and see if its low. If the fluid is full, then the pressure control valve in the power steering is not releasing causing the pump to load up making the engine stall. Try turning the vehicle with the engine running and at a stopped location.
If the engine stalls out, then its the pressure control valve, but if it does not stall out, then there could be an issue with the transmission.
If you need further assistance with your engine stalling, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
Truck cranks, fuel pump turns on but wont stay on for more than a couple seconds. Poured starter fluid in carburetor and it turns on for a few
ANSWER : Hey there. This may be some kind of fuel supply issue. When you turn the key on, the fuel pump should come on for a brief second pressurizing the system. When you turn the key, it should then maintain this pressure to keep the engine running. If not enough fuel pressure is maintained, you may experience stalling as you have described. I would suggest checking the fuel pressure to be sure it is consistent. If it is not, you may be having issues supplying fuel to the fuel pump. You may want to consider having a professional, such as one from YourMechanic come to your location and diagnose the starting problem in person.
Having Glitchy issues with Dodge Ram 1500
ANSWER : Hello. This sounds like you have a short somewhere in your dash or instrument panel. There are a variety of possibilities that could cause this. Tracing an electrical short can be very difficult and time consuming even for experienced mechanics. If you would like to have this checked out for you, a qualified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to inspect the electrical circuit and resolve these issues.
Are the powertrain control modules in a 2004 Dodge Ram and 2008 Dodge Ram the same?
ANSWER : The powertrain control module (PCM) part numbers for the 2004 and 2008 model year trucks are different. So, it’s possible that the PCM could be the problem. However, there are countless things that could have gone wrong with an engine swap like this. Just one wire being left disconnected could cause all kinds of problems, including those you describe. I recommend taking the vehicle back to the shop that did the repairs to demand they make things right. If that doesn’t work, the team at YourMechanic would be happy to diagnose and repair your Dodge.
Have a 03 Dodge Ram 1500 slt and turned off engine but belts still ran, disconnected battery noticed melted wire on starter
ANSWER : It sounds like your starter wire has a short to power. This would cause the starter to be engaging at all times and would explain why the belt was still spinning. I would recommend tracing the battery wire from the positive side of the battery down to the starter to check for any obvious visual damages. It is possible that an electrical surge occured and caused wires to melt together. If this is the case, replacement of the wires may be necessary. The starter should be ok unless the engine was restarted multiple times under this condition. If this has happened, the starter gear may have been damaged. Once the source of the problem is found, I would recommend resolving this issue immediately to avoid a potential fire.
