Veritas17

I have a 2002 ClK 55 with 95,000 miles on it. I was on vacation for 2 weeks and when I returned and moved the car I noticed a decent amount of clear oily fluid in the center toward the front of the car. It clearly was not oil, tranny fluid, brake or power steering fluid. I was thinking Hydraulic fluid had the same consistency or antifreeze but my level is still full. This happened once before after the car was sitting for a couple of weeks but the leak was on the right side front again same consistency of fluid. A little stumped- any thoughts out there?

Critter

Motor mounts?

Veritas17

I was thinking motor mounts, but since it was toward the center front of the car and the motor mounts are on the right and left side I did not think this could be the cause. But it is the only thing that does make sense since the fluid looks like Hydraulic fluid...

Critter

Pull off the bottom plastic stone guard, and look at the drip pattern on it. Most oil will go to the hole in the center to drain. While you have the rock pan off look up at the mounts to verify, you may see oil drops on the block also, if you can wipe the mounts with a clean rag to see if any oil is present, and if they are collapsed or not. Once drained of fluid they obviously will not leak anymore. Good Luck

ghiaguy

Sorry about the Necropost, but this is exactly what I am experiencing with my C55...

Puddle about the size of a dinner plate has shown up twice under the front center after the car was parked for a longer than normal amount of time. Clear, odorless, tasted bitter and has an oily consistency. May be a long shot, but curious if the OP has an update a year and half later. Thx!

floridawriter

I would guess brake fluid or p/s fluid. There are only a few clear fluids in a car.

ghiaguy

Yeah, that's what I was thinking/worrying about. I'll crawl underneath shortly and discover the issue. Thanks!

insame1

Do you have rough idle?

ghiaguy

Idle has been fine, changed motor mounts a couple of years & about 10k miles ago.

ambit

A/C condensation dripping into the belly pan and getting 'oily' ?

ghiaguy

this is possible, I checked the brake fluid and power steering fluid and both reservoirs are full. The ac was super weak the last year so I just recharged it a week ago- works great now but condensation is common...

floridawriter

It could be a/c compressor oil, but you wouldn't see it leak for long.