Hi Everyone,
I brought my '06 IS250 AWD to Meineke recently for them to check out some things - the car has 180K miles, wasn't riding as smoothly, along with some concerning smells here and there (occasional: burning smell, sulphur, antifreeze). Mechanic determined I needed new radiator, drive belt, 4 CV axles. I had the work done, and an oil change. Car is driving beautifully, but 5 days later, was leaking a clear oil-like fluid, like baby oil, puddling under the car close to the front end, slightly off center towards the driver side. Did not smell funky, kind of a neutral smell. I brought the car back to Meineke, with the fluid soaking the paper towel that i stuck under the car so they had something to look at for quick identification. They said it was coolant, that a clamp on the radiator came loose, and installed a different one. Car was fine, no leaks, until 3 days later, same clear oily fluid dripping in the same spot. Brought it back to Meineke today, they told me I now have a completely different problem, this time it's not coolant but a differential fluid leak (my car is automatic transmission), and that I need to go to a transmission shop. My question to the mechanic, why would a coolant leak (first leak when i brought it back), be the same exact color, viscosity, and location as a differential leak. They said sometimes fluids look and smell the same (ummm really?). Wouldn't a differential fluid leak be located more towards the middle of the undercarriage, and brown in color, bc the car has 180k miles? They checked brake and power steering fluid, bc i asked them to, they said those were fine.
Would anyone have an idea what the clear oily leak could be? I hate to waste time and money at a transmission shop if that's not even close to what the problem is.
thanks!