What is this fluid?

[Chisholmcody]

So the truck has sat for about 2 weeks due to the snow in Colorado. Today I was getting ready to go but then I got the idea to check all my fluids. They all checked out well.

So then I peak under the truck due to the fact that there's always been a "small" leak from some place. And this is what I see

Then I smelt it to try and see what it was but the scent isn't strong enough to tell. So I was wondering if someone on the forum could tell what it is by the picture.

Thanks in advanced!


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[LTZ C20]

Where was the pan located under the truck? My first thought is oil.

[Chisholmcody]

It was located directly under the motor...I checked the oil and it still reads full though.


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[LSXCHEVY]

looks like oil to me....maybe not enough leaked out to show low level?? what is the viscosity of the fluid...watery or thick ?

[ehjorten]

That little bitty-bit of oil will not show on the dipstick.

[roger97338]

If it feels like oil, I'd guess oil. If it feels watery, I'd guess cat urine. Mine will relieve themselves in anything that looks vaguely like a litter box, if it's on the ground.

[LTZ C20]

Haha roger. That made me lol. That small amount of oil will not drop the level of the dipstick.  Lay under the truck and look around till you find something that looks like it was leaking. Mostly likely around anywhere oil gets to, oil pan, valve cover sides nearest the exhuast manifolds, oil pressure sensor,  rear main seal, timing cover crank seal.

[Chisholmcody]

So it does look like the oil pan is leaking a little bit. How hard is it to do the pan gasket on a 1978 chevy cheyenne with a l6 250


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[LTZ C20]

I don't know how hard it is for a I6, my Cheyenne with a 350 was pretty easy.

[roger97338]

I think 'easy' is a relative term here. If I had a nice, warm, dry shop which had a vehicle lift, and all the tools were clean and easy to find, I'd likely be so happy that I'd install it, remove it, then install it again! However, if I had to lay on an icy or snowy gravel driveway, with melt water trickling down my neck, it's very likely that I'd consider it so difficult I'd either pay someone to do it, or wait until spring to do it myself.

[LTZ C20]

Haha yea. I did mine once on a lift in our shop and the second time upside down, well, the engine was upside down...and on an engine stand....cuz I was building it. Haha.

[frotosride]

Taste it... It's a fool proof way to figure out leaks. Growing up poor has lead me to a keen sense of taste when it comes to leaking vehicles! If the taste is bitter it is certainly brake fluid or power steering fluid. If it has a little gas taste to it, likely engine oil. If it taste like the smell of old bearing grease then its heavy weight gear lube. And if it is sweet it is certainly antifreeze. With one exception to that,  if you have a/c and its r134a the the mineral oil used as the lube in the compressor has a slight sweet taste but easily distinguishable from antifreeze.

[Chisholmcody]

Lol maybe I'll have to give it a taste before I dig into the oil Pan project


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[VileZambonie]

Dude, don't eat, lick or taste it.

If it's brake fluid it will rinse off clean with warm water. If it is oil it will not.

[LTZ C20]

Froto you got problems haha. As vile said, you only have to touch it to know what it is. Please don't put any of the fluids into your mouth......or lick the windows.