Odd Pink Fluid Leak?

[GoodDayForADrive]

I noticed a little while ago, that I'm getting this odd pink substance that's leaking and drying in my engine. You can actually see it in the pic that I took of my short shifter, but unfortunately car domain is down, and the only pic I have is on my laptop which I'm too lazy to get out righ tnow. But yea, does anyone know what this fluid could be?

[Optigman]

Since your pic server is down, can you describe where in the engine it's drying and how much? The only fluids obviously are oil, coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid. Now trannies use either 90w oil for 5sp and red ATF for autos. This you know, however I'm wondering if it is either hard water/corrosion that is settling in the in the gallies.

What color coolant, mine is green, however I've used that pink red stuff before.

[Slalom]

i see the pic... thats a coolant hose isnt it? what colour is your coolant? later gen dubs came with red rather than the older green i believe...

[jettadude]

ok heres one ya all fogot. lol. pink windsheild washer fluid. are you useing that?

[GoodDayForADrive]

ok heres one ya all fogot. lol. pink windsheild washer fluid. are you useing that?

No, it's blue I think. But I'm not "using" it, cause my nozzles got brittle and broke off. In fact, I should empty that... save a couple pounds :lol:

Edit: Here's the only pic I ahve of it, kinda blurry:
http://www.cc.gatech.edu/ugrads/t/tperkins/561507_24_full.jpg

[GoodDayForADrive]

Ok, got some better pics of this leak, I think it's getting worse:

http://www.cc.gatech.edu/ugrads/t/tperkins/untitled1.bmp

I think it may be coming from this (notice it is below the minimum mark, and looks kind of pink through the plastic):
http://www.cc.gatech.edu/ugrads/t/tperkins/untitled2.bmp

http://www.cc.gatech.edu/ugrads/t/tperkins/untitled3.bmp

And while I'm posting pics, here's my lower intake manifold, haven't installed the upper yet...

http://www.cc.gatech.edu/ugrads/t/tperkins/untitled4.bmp

[burn_your_money]

If you re-upload those pictures but at jpgs it would save me alot of time. BMP is the biggest waste of time for 56k users. Just a suggestion, don't worry about it if it's too much of a hastle.

[GoodDayForADrive]

If you re-upload those pictures but at jpgs it would save me alot of time. BMP is the biggest waste of time for 56k users. Just a suggestion, don't worry about it if it's too much of a hastle.

Yea, I would have done that, but I don't have photoshop on my laptop, maybe I'll change it when I get back to my dorm...

[burn_your_money]

Does your version of MS PAINT not support it? It's all I use. Unless you have a mac or something...

[Slalom]

that is for sure coolant... its seeping out, probably bubbling and then drying into the crusty goo u see... clean it all off, and check it each day after a drive and see if its wet there... you may need to drain the coolant, pull off that hose and see if it needs to be replaced, or mebbe its just not seated correctly...

[jettadude]

is your car running hotter then normal? cuz when you have a leak the car should run hotter.

[GoodDayForADrive]

is your car running hotter then normal? cuz when you have a leak the car should run hotter.

Not noticeably..

[burn_your_money]

When you go to change that hose, or whatever you end up doing. Make sure the car has been sitting at least 3 hours. The coolant in there gets quite hot when the engine is running.
I would also recommend that you get rid of those spring style clamps you have now and get the ones you tighten with a screw driver. I forget what they are called. Try looking for them at a plumbing store or wal mart first because they are more expensive at automotive stores. If you end up draining the coolant, I would suggest changing all the clamps. They spring ones can lose their "springiness" and cause leaks.

[Getta8v]

the pink stuff is G12 coolant. Oem stuff. I would clean it off like suggested earlier drive for a day and check it and see where its at...you'll probably need to replace that hose. and it wouldnt hurt to replace it anyways unless you just recently changed it.

[GoodDayForADrive]

the pink stuff is G12 coolant. Oem stuff. I would clean it off like suggested earlier drive for a day and check it and see where its at...you'll probably need to replace that hose. and it wouldnt hurt to replace it anyways unless you just recently changed it.

Do you know where I can get more? I"m below the minimum line

[Slalom]

dealership... and only the dealership... do not mix it with any non-vw coolant...

[Getta8v]

dealership sells it for about 20 bux. I believe performance-cafe.com sells it too

[MKIIVR6]

The pink coolant is Phosphate free, not as tough on delicate areas like water pump seals and the radiator. This is the stuff that I use and have been happy with it. As mentioned above the dealership does sell it, around $20.00 a gallon.

[GoodDayForADrive]

Yea, I got some, now I just hafta fix that hose...

[burn_your_money]

While the coolant is drained, you may as well upgrade from those spring style clamps.

[Mr_Diesel]

That's definatly a coolant leak... take the hose off, use a utility knife to cut 1 inch off the pipe and reclamp it with a new hose clamp from autozone.

[GoodDayForADrive]

That's definatly a coolant leak... take the hose off, use a utility knife to cut 1 inch off the pipe and reclamp it with a new hose clamp from autozone.

Oh, didn't even think of that, as long as the hose reaches, that'll save me some money :)

Thanks

[Mr_Diesel]

That's definatly a coolant leak... take the hose off, use a utility knife to cut 1 inch off the pipe and reclamp it with a new hose clamp from autozone.

Oh, didn't even think of that, as long as the hose reaches, that'll save me some money :)

Thanks

Yeah, that' works really well... Remember, only do it if there is slack in the hose... Be sure that it won't rub on anything when you drive it... (IE: when shifting the motor torques and moves about 1 - 2 inches.) Use lime away or fine sandpaper to clean up the coolant flange before you attatch the hose again.

[MKIIVR6]

I ended up doing the same thing, cutting the hose back and clamping it with the screw-type clamp. With the exception that it was fuel lines connecting to the fuel rail on the VR6 motor. The spring type clamps lost their tension and fuel was leaking out onto the belt tensioner, then into the alternator! None the less if you cut back the hose and get the screw-type clamp you should be in buisness.

[miamiDaveGLi]

I ended up doing the same thing, cutting the hose back and clamping it with the screw-type clamp. With the exception that it was fuel lines connecting to the fuel rail on the VR6 motor. The spring type clamps lost their tension and fuel was leaking out onto the belt tensioner, then into the alternator! None the less if you cut back the hose and get the screw-type clamp you should be in buisness. ohhh man gas in the alternator !!!
thats scary 8O

[Mr_Diesel]

Man... engine fire in a freshly installed VR6, that would have sucked. Yeah, those clamps are pure crap. They are quick to put on in the factory, which saves VW money, but they are not necessarilly the best way to clamp hoses.... At every oppertunity I replace those clamps with the screw type like cory mentioned.

[91wolf]

Too bad it's the coolant flange that's leaking... :roll:

Those plastic pieces are garbage and crack all the time...


And actually, those stock clamps hold the hoses better then the screw clamps...