Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Leak - red fluid in passenger back - where is this from? (Read 3378 times) previous topic - next topic

Leak - red fluid in passenger back - where is this from?

My 1999 U320 has been in storage for 4 months.  I went yesterday for my monthly "running of the Aquahot" and noticed that there was red fluid in the back passenger area.  It is not actively leaking.  I did not see it last month when I was there (but I may have just been in a hurry and missed it).

See pictures below.  It has an oily feel (as opposed to a watery feel ) so I don't think it is coolant.  I checked all dipsticks and everything looked good.

I crawled under to look it over and it is leaking through that heavy felt/rubber cover.  I couldn't see where it was coming from, so any help would be greatly appreciated.
Kevin & Nancy
Okawville, IL
1999 U320 WTFE 40'
Build #5498
Motorcade #19092
2020 Jeep Gladiator

"The harder I work, the luckier I get."

Re: Leak - red fluid in passenger back - where is this from?

Reply #1 –
If not coolant, Could be tranny fluid. Looks like area under the radiators from your pictures.
Keith and Dawn Hudson #18766
Current- 1999 U295 DFGE 40ft. - Build #5405
Coach Name: 4BUS4US
Previous- 2008 Nimbus CE338: 40th Anniversary Edition- Build #6486. 
Toad: 2021 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk

 "I know something about a lot of things..a lot about something's..and everything about nothing "

Re: Leak - red fluid in passenger back - where is this from?

Reply #2 –
Blot some up with a paper napkin, see if it burns.  Trans fluid will, coolant won't. 
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Leak - red fluid in passenger back - where is this from?

Reply #3 –
If it is tranny fluid, where do I look for the leak?
Kevin & Nancy
Okawville, IL
1999 U320 WTFE 40'
Build #5498
Motorcade #19092
2020 Jeep Gladiator

"The harder I work, the luckier I get."

Re: Leak - red fluid in passenger back - where is this from?

Reply #4 –
It is coolant, there is no red tranny fluid on a '99. Looks like the lower radiator hose clamp might be loose.

Just realized that the Allison tranny fluid is red so the trans cooler would have red but. not under the radiator.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Leak - red fluid in passenger back - where is this from?

Reply #5 –
What type of antifreeze are you running as that sure looks like the radiator end cap gasket could be bad. I know you said it feels oily but some of the new antifreeze has a strange feel and has a red cast.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Leak - red fluid in passenger back - where is this from?

Reply #6 –
Fleetguard ES Compleat OAT

It may have felt tacky/oily because is was sitting there for awhile/
Kevin & Nancy
Okawville, IL
1999 U320 WTFE 40'
Build #5498
Motorcade #19092
2020 Jeep Gladiator

"The harder I work, the luckier I get."

Re: Leak - red fluid in passenger back - where is this from?

Reply #7 –
Quote from: kstine98 –
Fleetguard ES Compleat OAT
It may have felt tacky/oily because is was sitting there for awhile/
Same as what we use.  The concentrated version definitely feels oily on my fingers, and is bright red.

You could check your white plastic coolant overflow jug (engine compartment) and see if the level is lower than normal.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Surely, no age has been more fraught with insecurity than our own present time."

Re: Leak - red fluid in passenger back - where is this from?

Reply #8 –
Kevin, as Mike states it's probably the radiator end tank that is bolted to the core. There is one on each end of the core. Many of us on here have experienced this. On mine the first time it started to leak I was told to add 4 bottles of Bars leak and that stopped it for a while. Then it started again and my SIL saw traces of moisture at a few of the bolt heads you can see from the rear if you look close. Tightened as many as I could get to with a 1/2" wobble socket. That stopped it again. I wanted to replace the radiator due to overheating. I ordered a new one from FOT witch took 6 months. Be aware that the Bars leak may clog the trans cooler, I had quit a bit of Bars leak residue in mine. I was able to replace the radiator myself witch saved about $3,000.00. Jim.   
Jim and Dona
2002 U295 36'
Lily, blue healer. Our fury person
Manx mid travel Ecotec turbo
2022 Bronco badlands Sasquatch
Trail 90 and 110cc

Re: Leak - red fluid in passenger back - where is this from?

Reply #9 –
Also check your bedroom aquahot heater register. It can easily drip down through. I have had 2 AH registers develop leaks, and one was dripping in the back underneath like yours.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide