So I moved my car from the parking spot (red brick floor) to let the snow melt before it becomes ice, as we are experiencing a short warm spell.

Under the engine, a big patch of a somewhat thick layer of a fluid the colour of very milky coffee. Last time I saw something like it, was oil-contaminated coolant

I am pretty sure it isn't that, but, my automatic transmission started acting up and the automatic tranny fluid was low... I know the ATF is red-ish in colour, but I don't know if this fluid mixing while hot with cold snow would make the mix I found.

Should I expect a tranny fluid lick?

FYI, 1991 190E Automatic, 2.3 4 cylinder.

 

is your fluid in your coolant right now the same color? (milky-brownish white?)

 

I sure hope not!!! Last time I checked it was not... That would be a blown head gasket, right?

I found very suspicious the timing of the acting up transmission and low level of the ATF. Hope not to have more than one problem on my hands

 

Hi Lito,

You will need to put your car on a lift and give it a good inspection. The only time I had a problem with losing transmission fluid in my '93 2.3 is when the Vacuum Modulator was leaking. The engine intake was sucking transmission fluid through the vacuum hose and burning it through the engine. It was about 1 to 1 1/2 quart low and it wasn't shifting properly. I topped it off and it shifted fine. Upon closer inspection, I removed the Vacuum Modulator hose at the intake connection and saw red transmission fluid in the hose. I replaced the Vacuum Modulator and everything has been fine since.

Good luck,

Dave