What type of fluid is this?

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Shane Garcia

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I have green oil dripping very slowly from what I believe too be the torque converter at the very center at the lowest point this has been happening for years at first i though lt was transmission oil but the color isn’t right and i don’t think it’s antifreeze because it has a oily texture and non of my fluids other then powerstearing loses fluid any help would be appreciated. My truck is a second gen 5.2.

6BBB4D0B-C7B3-42B4-89CA-979B0EF9EFDA.jpeg
 

SYKRAMMAN

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Looks like antifreeze and oil mixed, plenum issues maybe? I don’t know much about the 318’s but a lot of folks here do and someone will chime in and help just be patient. You should have an answer or at the least an idea of what and where that’s coming from by the end of day.
 

EvilSpirit

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A/F is typically green, unless it is one of the "lifetime" types, and has an oily feel to it. And yes, there could be either trans fluid or engine oil adding to the oily feel. Given the age of the truck, I'd say it's most likely one of the rear core/freeze plugs in the block have rusted out. Next candidate would be the intake gaskets, or head gaskets.

IIRC, there are (3) 1 5/8" on each side, (2) 1 5/8" in the rear, (1) 1 5/8" in the front, and (1) 1 1/4" in the front.
 
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Shane Garcia

Shane Garcia

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Thanks I’ll try and talk my mechanically inclined buddy to help me replace that, appreciate it
 

tidefan1967

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I usually take a little taste to find out for sure as each automotive fluid has its own distinct taste and smell. If you've been working on cars for any length of time you will have had just about every kind of oil,trans. fluid,etc either splashed,dripped or thrown on you and you will have tasted them all at one time or another. Oh and by the way brake fluid is the worst. Its a taste and smell you will never forget.
 

SYKRAMMAN

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I usually take a little taste to find out for sure as each automotive fluid has its own distinct taste and smell. If you've been working on cars for any length of time you will have had just about every kind of oil,trans. fluid,etc either splashed,dripped or thrown on you and you will have tasted them all at one time or another. Oh and by the way brake fluid is the worst. Its a taste and smell you will never forget.
lol you got that right on the nail.
 

SYKRAMMAN

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A/F is typically green, unless it is one of the "lifetime" types, and has an oily feel to it. And yes, there could be either trans fluid or engine oil adding to the oily feel. Given the age of the truck, I'd say it's most likely one of the rear core/freeze plugs in the block have rusted out. Next candidate would be the intake gaskets, or head gaskets.

IIRC, there are (3) 1 5/8" on each side, (2) 1 5/8" in the rear, (1) 1 5/8" in the front, and (1) 1 1/4" in the front.
I forgot about those damn things, luckily only once I had to deal with one but the vehicle didn’t require engine or trans removal so it wasn’t too bad.
 

SYKRAMMAN

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I usually take a little taste to find out for sure as each automotive fluid has its own distinct taste and smell. If you've been working on cars for any length of time you will have had just about every kind of oil,trans. fluid,etc either splashed,dripped or thrown on you and you will have tasted them all at one time or another. Oh and by the way brake fluid is the worst. Its a taste and smell you will never forget.
For me it’s gear oil that’s the worst. bleh bleh bleh...
 

Gr8bawana

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I usually take a little taste to find out for sure as each automotive fluid has its own distinct taste and smell. If you've been working on cars for any length of time you will have had just about every kind of oil,trans. fluid,etc either splashed,dripped or thrown on you and you will have tasted them all at one time or another. Oh and by the way brake fluid is the worst. Its a taste and smell you will never forget.

When I tell people all those fluids have their own taste they look at me like I'm crazy. Back when I was in highschool auto shop in the 70's our teacher had us taste every fluid the was including battery acid, it was bitter.
 
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Shane Garcia

Shane Garcia

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Hi everyone, bunch of good info in this thread :p When it's cold out i can smell antifreeze inside the cab and it's probly a no brainer but is that connected too the leaking freeze plug? I wasn't able too get it fixed yet but hopefully soon, anyone know the estimated cost for a job like this?
 

dapepper9

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Chances are pretty good it's not even a freeze plug. Multiple hoses that can leak just a little bit on the top of the engine and are mostly burned off by the time they drain down. This accounts for coolant smell and why you may not see much of a puddle
 

dapepper9

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Also looking at that photo again, I've seen minor oil leaks look just like that after they've mixed with grease found elsewhere
 
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