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Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: Skidzilla on 10 April 2008, 14:02

Title: Mystery Leak????
Post by: Skidzilla on 10 April 2008, 14:02
Had my Mk5 GTI about a month now.
When I first got the car I left it in the garage a couple of days whilest I got rid of my previous model. When I took it out of the garage I noticed a small puddle of clear oil based liquid(front near side), though I'm pretty sure it wasn't engine oil. I checked oil levels and for obvious leaks and noticed nothing out of the ordinary.
I came to the conclusion that the puddle was either from my old car or one of the kids meesing about with oil in the garage.
This theory seemed to bare out as when I started using the car regularly there was no sign of leakage.
Or so I thought . About a week ago I left the car unused in garage for a couple of days and the same oil based puddle appeared again??
This time though the leak continued to appear after  regular use.Ie use it during the day,garage overnight and freah leakage in the morning.

I've just returned from having an oil service and check from Parkway Derby and they can't find any kind of leak and suggest it's condensate from the AC.
I'm pretty sure its not as it's definately an oily consistancy.

Any ideas?
Title: Re: Mystery Leak????
Post by: joesgti on 10 April 2008, 14:24
yea take a sample of what it is and take it to the stealer.  :smiley:
Title: Re: Mystery Leak????
Post by: Skidzilla on 10 April 2008, 14:47
Good idea :smiley:
Title: Re: Mystery Leak????
Post by: 182_blue on 10 April 2008, 21:16
Good idea :smiley:
exactly how oily ?, i thought i had a leak on my old car, turned out to be road crap dripping down the arches onto the floor after a drive in the wet ?, just a thought
Title: Re: Mystery Leak????
Post by: Cass on 10 April 2008, 22:38
Sure it isn't the air con unit drain ?

Cass
Title: Re: Mystery Leak????
Post by: wlscullion on 11 April 2008, 10:15
I was convinced I had a leak but turned out to be condensation from AC , should not be oily though unless floor is oily. If in any doubt it may be this why not try driving without AC to see if it goes away.
Title: Re: Mystery Leak????
Post by: SteveS on 11 April 2008, 10:25
condensation wouldnt be oily surely!

id put a tub under and collect some of it. by the smell and feel you could tell if its just water or not....

not using the AC doesnt mean its condensation, it could be leaking something when it is ON. which if you dont turn it on, wont happen, doesnt prove its water.
Title: Re: Mystery Leak????
Post by: Skidzilla on 11 April 2008, 12:51
The mystery continues, as some of you suggested I put a bowl underneath last night and there was nothing this morning, not a drop??

When there is a  leak is definately not water or road dirt etc. It seems to be a machine type oil, very thin consistancy.

I'm starting to think it maybe an intermitant leak on the AC compressor which would contain oil.

Anybody had that problem?
Title: Re: Mystery Leak????
Post by: SteveS on 11 April 2008, 13:07
not me, but then i dont remember the last time i used the AC, mayb i should..
Title: Re: Mystery Leak????
Post by: CocoPops on 11 April 2008, 14:30
My AC is always on.

The car is set at a constant 18 and so it kicks in and out as needed.
Title: Re: Mystery Leak????
Post by: Cass on 11 April 2008, 21:16
not me, but then i dont remember the last time i used the AC, mayb i should..

You should use aircon at least every week to ensure that the system is lubricated and the seals don't dry out. I use mine all the time to ensure this should never happen and the quality of the air within the passenger cabin remains the same, winter or summer. Any drop in power would be miniscule and not noticeable in day to day driving - it would only show up on dyno testing and the loss of economy (maybe 2-3 mpg) isn't worth worrying about for a performance car.

Believe me, having owned a Boxster for almost 4 years, you don't want to start having to replace parts of the air con system because the gas leaked out from somewhere. It won't be as simple as a recharge - there will be associated damage (condensors/dryer/pump/seals etc). Call it preventative maintenance, or else what's the point in having it on the car in the first place ? At least it's standard on the GTI and not an expensive option for the first purchaser. :wink:

Cass
Title: Re: Mystery Leak????
Post by: Phil mcavity on 11 April 2008, 21:28
Just a thought, whats your brake fluid level doing???? has that lost anything?? Gearbox fluid maybe?????