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i have a 2009 C4S with 104K miles. When I pulled the car out of garage I noticed small amount, maybe a few drops of coolant around the area of front right wheel. How do I proceed with this? Can this be DIY or I need to bring the car in? I have this car for 9 years and it is nearly bulletproof.
had similar issue. leaking strut. don't believe it's the coolant. also it kinda smells like maple syrup too...and pinkish color.....replaced my coolant container (plastic) which cracked due to heat and age...in engine compartment
In front of, even with, or behind the front right wheel?
1. In front of is the radiators, left and right pairs in each corner. Some vehicles have a third center one too. You can try jacking the front up to inspect. For DIY the front bumper needs to come off, not too difficult.
2. Even with could be a leaking shock or leaking lower control arm hydraulic bushing. It would be almost exactly even with the center of the wheel. For the LCA the underside will be wet/oily but the top would be dry. A leaking shock would be obvious, maybe visible with the wheel turned all the way in one direction so you could peek into the wheel well.
3. Behind the front wheel could be overflow from the gas filler, sunroof drains, or one of the coolant lines running to the rear. Best to narrow it down by fluid type first.
If you suspect coolant check the overflow tank in the engine bay when cold. Is it low? Try marking the level with masking tape and monitoring for the level to drop. A cracked coolant tank is common but the leak would be near the left rear wheel, not the front right. You have something else going on.
i have a 2009 C4S with 104K miles. When I pulled the car out of garage I noticed small amount, maybe a few drops of coolant around the area of front right wheel. How do I proceed with this? Can this be DIY or I need to bring the car in? I have this car for 9 years and it is nearly bulletproof.
John
As already pointed out, the location of the leak and trying to identify the liquid is obviously first. Not drawing any conclusions here but have to mention that the water pump on my -09 C4S failed at 40,000 miles. You're at 104K miles so just one possibility to consider.
Sorry for not replying. I had some time and took out the front right wheel to see. I noticed there is a small leak on the lower pipe. Is that water hose supply or return line? Or something else completely, I used my finger and touched the liquid and it did smell like coolant. I had to add coolant lately and this is the first since 9 years of ownership and I have been smelling coolant lately around the front right of the car.