Clear Fluid leaking from front middle

470

Asked by dreem24 Dec 11, 2018 at 03:21 PM about the 2013 Ford F-150 XLT SuperCrew

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Guys,  I am learning more as I go here however I have recently developed some kind of small leak near the front middle of my F150 2013.  On the paper I used to find out the color...it is mainly clear but slightly yellow.  I let the truck sit overnight without turning it on and it still leaked a little bit.  I have checked all the fluids and cant seem to figure it out.  Any ideas?

23 Answers

470

I checked the brake fluid level in the reservoir and it is good. Let me send a couple more pics from under the body

1 people found this helpful.
22,320

What color is your antifreeze? Doubt it is this but severely diluted yellow could produce this result

5 people found this helpful.
22,320

Window fluid? Do you have yellow or the rainX orange in reservoir?

1 people found this helpful.
470

Nope..no yellow or rainXorange in the window fluid reservoir.. When I get home today from work I will check the fluid levels again...also no error codes from obd2 that I have seen so far

2 people found this helpful.
22,320

From the pictures I want to say transfer case fluid. Difficult to exactly tell what is leaking or what is being leaked onto. Is this fluid causing the rust in that one picture? If So, brake fluid will rust metal and eat paint. It is hygroscopic.

4 people found this helpful.
73,490

Hard to tell from the photos, but from one it appears you have a 6R80 transmission. Check the bulkhead connector to the transmission. If you don't know what it looks like, look on the net. It is an electrical connection to the transmission, round, and fairly large. The connector acts as a gasket keeping fluid in. They tend to leak after time and require replacement. You have to drop the pan to change the connector. Part is not expensive, but care must be taken in changing as any static electric charge from your hands across any of the pins could short out the solenoid pack it is connected to. Also, your vehicle uses gold coolant which could account for the orange/yellow color. You can get a loner tool from an auto parts store to check for leaks. Attach it to the radiator and pump it up to about 10 pounds PSI. If you have a leak in the cooling system, you will see it squirting everywhere.

7 people found this helpful.
470

Thanks! I had a family member get the chance to take a look at the drip and they mentioned it was coolant. However we both didnt think it smelled like coolant. I have been wanting to get a pressure test kit so I will probably do a little research and buy one off of Amazon. I would def like to figure out the problem myself if I can before I just resort to just taking it into the shop. I greatly appreciate all the responses!

2 people found this helpful.
22,320

These pressure kits are worth the money. I have fixed so many cars with my kit. One I fixed just by pressurizing the system and it brought the bubbles to the top. $50 saves hundreds in the end. You have a fluid leak but understand with using this pressure tester that every leak is not external. Internal coolant leaks are via the head gasket. Not sure why I am telling you this. Just in teaching mode. :)

2 people found this helpful.
470

So it turned out to be a failed o ring on the radiator hose going to the coolant reservoir. Thank God it wasn't anything major. Thanks to all for the responses.

14 people found this helpful.
22,320

If you buy the part, no. A few dollars. If you have them install you could be looking at $75.

1 people found this helpful.

is it smart to put brown dye im a transmission line to find leaks will that mess up ur transmission

i have a 1997 ford f150 it was leaking i took it to kearney tire they put some brown dye in it to find the leaks now it want move forward

Your Answer:

F-150

Looking for a Used F-150 in your area?

CarGurus has 135,089 nationwide F-150 listings starting at $1,100.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

2013 Ford F-150

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    OJ
    Reputation
    41,970
  • #2
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    16,010
  • #3
    Rowefast
    Reputation
    15,540
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Chevrolet Silverado 1500
4,325 Great Deals out of 129,252 listings starting at $2,284
Used GMC Sierra 1500
2,009 Great Deals out of 68,438 listings starting at $3,795
Used RAM 1500
3,957 Great Deals out of 91,650 listings starting at $3,500
Used Toyota Tundra
1,183 Great Deals out of 33,760 listings starting at $2,990
Used Ford F-250 Super Duty
1,358 Great Deals out of 43,974 listings starting at $2,995
Used Toyota Tacoma
2,127 Great Deals out of 35,281 listings starting at $3,500
Used Ford Mustang
952 Great Deals out of 21,872 listings starting at $1,651
Used Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
1,110 Great Deals out of 30,927 listings starting at $499
Used Jeep Wrangler
3,201 Great Deals out of 61,863 listings starting at $4,500
Used RAM 2500
1,010 Great Deals out of 48,168 listings starting at $3,900
Used Chevrolet Colorado
988 Great Deals out of 24,086 listings starting at $2,999
Used Chevrolet Tahoe
1,194 Great Deals out of 22,897 listings starting at $2,000

Used Cars for Sale

2024 Ford F-150 For Sale
17 Great Deals out of 60,880 listings starting at $30,535
2023 Ford F-150 For Sale
819 Great Deals out of 19,533 listings starting at $25,295
2022 Ford F-150 For Sale
659 Great Deals out of 6,501 listings starting at $23,594
2021 Ford F-150 For Sale
898 Great Deals out of 9,465 listings starting at $10,950
2020 Ford F-150 For Sale
565 Great Deals out of 5,855 listings starting at $11,985

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.