Hello everyone!

This is my first post on the site, I do appreciate all the help that I’ve read so far! I’m looking for a little guidance and/or help. On the passenger side of my 04 Cayenne S non turbo I have noticed that there’s a weird yellow oily substance, almost like cooking oil (both in viscosity and smell) inside the wheel well and on the side of the car (much like you would see if you were into a puddle of mud). It should be noted that there is no engine light and she’s otherwise driving great!

Besides the fact that the color of the fluid doesn’t match, the fluid for the radiator, brakes, and power steering look fine. The oil in the engine is it about half wife from last time I changed it and it has a little darker color to it than what I’m seeing on the outside of the car, and the oil level hasn’t moved.

I did some searching online and I’ve only come across the fluid leak from the coolant reservoir that’s on the passenger side. I plan on doing a little more investigation this weekend(hopefully)… until then though, I was just wanting to ask on here if anyone else has seen this or might have some idea as to what would be causing this kind of fluid leak. It should also be said that I removed the Plug for the frame that often builds up with water.

In the absence of me somehow managing to run through that much cooking oil, anyone have anything? I know some investigative work will need to be done on my end, and I appreciate any thoughts, suggestions, or comments saying anybody might be able to contribute! I plan on hosing her down and seeing if it comes back as well.


Thank you!!


Front passenger in between tire and front door

Front passenger

I pulled back the plastic and didn’t see any of it on the inside facing the engine.

Passenger rear

Passenger rear looking towards front

Passenger front looking towards rear

 

Sorry to raise this thread from dead, but did you ever figure out what was the cause? I have thin viscosity oil dripping from front and rear passenger wheel wells. Just noticed today and there is no smell to it, but it is definitely oil (maybe red in color?)

I removed the rear wheel well and there was nothing inside that. All the "fluid" was outside the wheel well liner (front and rear of the wheel).
In the process of removing the front wheel liner.

Hoping you have a solution to this. Thanks in advance!

 

Update:
After removing front wheel well liner, there was nothing behind it. Also, upon inspection, the fluid may have been coolant. The coolant in my 08 CS is kind of orange in color. Mixing with dirt may make it seem a bit reddish. The fluid on garage floor dried up instead of soaking in like oil would do. That made me sure that it was coolant.

I checked coolant reservoir and it seemed just above min mark. I added a tiny bit, started the car, let it idle for 5 mins. I then shut off and found nothing leaking. Put everything back together and will take it for a test drive tomorrow. Can't imagine from where coolant would have leaked enough to drip from front and rear wheel wells. Nothing seems to leak near or under the radiator as well. This really is a mystery.

I always thought the coolant in our vehicles were closed system. Is there a chance that if the pressure were to increase that the system would dump some coolant to relieve the pressure? On my motorcycle, if the coolant were slightly more, it would **** some on the side after a ride.