[gary.taylor17]

Just had my second go in the 430, loved it.
Realised when i was putting into the garage a small pool of very clear thin oil.
Any ideas what it maybe.
Ive checked oil filter and looked in the engine compartment but no signs.

[tazandjan]

Gary- It may be soot and moisture from the exhaust system, although that is usually black or gray. It could also be coming from the drain pipe from the A/C evaporator. That is water, but sometimes has an oily feel. If it is gone in a day or so, that is probably what it is.

The only clear fluid I can think of might be the ATF in the power steering (which usually has a dye) or the fluid in the F1 system. Pretty much every fluid in the car has color except possibly the F1/E-Diff fluid.

[gary.taylor17]

Thank you.

[StefVan]

Gary, can you locate exactly the position of the oil pool on the floor versus the car? Is it under the engine bay, LHD or RHD? There can be a bigger pool in the underfloor panels and only some part of it is dripping out on the floor. I would recommend to carefully search the source of it as a F430 should never have a fluid leak (except condensation water from the A/C). The best would be to remove the underfloor panel(s) or diffuser depending on where the leak is located.

[gary.taylor17]

Hi Stef,
Its RHD and its from the engine bay,i think it comes through a hole in the floor pan.
Can only think its AC as it doesn't leak all the time, just once to my knowledge.

[tazandjan]

Gary- The air conditioning evaporator vent tube should be right under the evaporator. Number 26 in the diagram below.

You may have just had some water on top of the belly pans that flowed out and picked up a bit of residue on the way.

If it stopped leaking, I would not worry about it unless it reoccurs. If it is the A/C evaporator venting water, you will see it again as soon as the weather warms.

[StefVan]

Originally Posted by gary.taylor17

Hi Stef,
Its RHD and its from the engine bay,i think it comes through a hole in the floor pan.
Can only think its AC as it doesn't leak all the time, just once to my knowledge.

Hi Gary,
if the leak comes from the RHD of the engine bay, than it's highly probable that it is F1 hydraulic fluid. This can happen when the hydraulic fluid is getting very hot and expands too much. To avoid a too high pressure in the F1 system, a valve will release a bit hydraulic fluid which will be evacuated through a small hose. This can happen also when the F1 tank has been overfilled. If it doesn’t leak again, than all is fine. Just check the area on the ground from to time to time A/C condensation will always evacuate at the front of the car through a specific hose which comes out through the flont underfloor panel.

[gary.taylor17]

Originally Posted by tazandjan

Gary- The air conditioning evaporator vent tube should be right under the evaporator. Number 26 in the diagram below.

You may have just had some water on top of the belly pans that flowed out and picked up a bit of residue on the way.

If it stopped leaking, I would not worry about it unless it reoccurs. If it is the A/C evaporator venting water, you will see it again as soon as the weather warms.

Thank you ever so much, what a lovely set of lads.
Thanks for your help
Garry