MVS Volvo Forums user j-dawg has a problem. I’ll let him tell it:
About to drive ~8hrs tomorrow. I just checked the car after it sat for ~1wk and noticed a puddle on the ground. Photos of wetness are attached. The puddle is oily and slightly red, and does not smell strongly. The picture with two napkins shows on the left a few drops of PS fluid from the reservoir, and on the right a swipe from the ground.
1999 T5 – Leak the night before road trip!
The PS dipstick shows it’s low, though there’s fluid in the reservoir and no lights came on while I was driving. I tightened the hose clamp to the top of the reservoir, which seemed to be a little loose. The bottom is one of those infernal Oetiker clamps. The whole reservoir is slightly wet so if it’s PS fluid I don’t think it’s the bottom hose.
My fear is that this could be trans fluid; I have noticed shifting being a little tougher lately, but I had thought the clutch just needed a bleeding. I am going to take the wheel off right now to get a better look, but I just wanted to ask if anyone has any opinions while I do that. Has anyone got advice on checking the transmission fluid level? There’s no dipstick, but can I peek in? The fluid doesn’t smell strongly; trans fluid does, right?
If it’s PS fluid, can I drive to a parts store to refill it? What happens if the fluid runs dry?
Sorry for all the questions; I’m just trying to figure out if I can go tomorrow or if I have to tell my travelbuddies to hold on a day or two.
RE: 99 T5 – LEAK THE NIGHT BEFORE ROAD TRIP!
Post by JDS60R » Tue Dec 17, 2013 9:04 pmTrans dipstick is yellow and hidden under the lower radiator hose in front of the trans.
Take pics of the entire engine/trans from the bottom so we can see how far the leak goes.
power steering and trans are on different sides of the car so unless the leak goes across the entire car its prob the standard power steering leak at the reservoir.
Last Updated on August 19, 2020
