Brown fluid leakage

[Towncivilian]

My 2001 3.5L SE with ~118k miles is leaking a brown fluid, pics: 1, 2

That was from sitting in the garage for about 20 hours. Not sure if it's oil, I didn't touch or smell it. Last oil change was a couple weeks ago with synthetic (didn't change it myself, got it done at Tires Plus). It's been leaking like this for a while, at least a year. Any ideas on what it could be? No SES light since May after fixing P1140/P1145 and I also got the codes pulled in mid-August anyway, no codes stored. No other warning lights on, either. Car seems to run fine. The leak is coming from about the center of the vehicle, roughly underneath the center console. Is it transmission fluid, perhaps?

[Innovazn]

My 2001 3.5L SE with ~118k miles is leaking a brown fluid, pics: 1, 2

That was from sitting in the garage for about 20 hours. Not sure if it's oil, I didn't touch or smell it. Last oil change was a couple weeks ago with synthetic (didn't change it myself, got it done at Tires Plus). It's been leaking like this for a while, at least a year. Any ideas on what it could be? No SES light since May after fixing P1140/P1145 and I also got the codes pulled in mid-August anyway, no codes stored. No other warning lights on, either. Car seems to run fine. The leak is coming from about the center of the vehicle, roughly underneath the center console. Is it transmission fluid, perhaps?

why synthetic.... from what i understand from all posters synthetic is a big nono for our pathy's as for your brown leak. i cant say...

[Towncivilian]

why synthetic.... from what i understand from all posters synthetic is a big nono for our pathy's as for your brown leak. i cant say...

I didn't specify dino oil at the oil change place. My fault really. Is it really a critical mistake to use synthetic? Could I switch back to dino oil without much fuss, or is it too late now?

[Innovazn]

why synthetic.... from what i understand from all posters synthetic is a big nono for our pathy's as for your brown leak. i cant say...

I didn't specify dino oil at the oil change place. My fault really. Is it really a critical mistake to use synthetic? Could I switch back to dino oil without much fuss, or is it too late now?

truth be told. all i know is that synthetic isnt good for our trucks, beyond that i cant say cuz thats all im reading. im more of a body man then a mechanic ._.

[Densetsu]

According to the owners manuals, for '01 and '02 synthetic is fine ("Mineral based or synthetic type oils may be
used in your NISSAN vehicle."). For '03 and '04, it's not ("NISSAN does not recommend synthetic type oils but recommends mineral based oils.").

As for the brown fluid, if it's been leaking for a while and always has the same colour, it's probably transmission fluid. Either from the transmission pan or the transfer case. (Engine oil would get dark fairly quickly after an oil change.) How's the level on the transmission dipstick? And when you wipe the dipstick on a white cloth, does it look the same colour? When was the last time the transmission pan was dropped and the gasket on the pan changed, and/or the fluid changed? Fresh transmission fluid would be red, over a couple of years old it gets brown. Like this: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/classic-t ... post534491

From a few pics, it's hard to tell. Smell, texture would give more hints. Or better yet, get under it and look where it's leaking from.

[Buzzman]

why synthetic.... from what i understand from all posters synthetic is a big no no for our Pathy's

Not sure where that info comes from, but there are plenty of guys on here that use synthetic, including me.
I switched to Mobil 1 full synthetic right after I bought my 2002 Pathfinder (in 2004), and I've never gone back.
I have over 225,000 Kms. on it now, and it still runs like new. No leaks and no burning.

[01silvapathy]

Check that your oil filter is on tight, that small of an amount could just be dripping down as a result of the filter not being screwed on all the way.

[Towncivilian]

Checked transmission fluid level today. It wiped off red on the rag, not the brownish color from the leakage, and the fluid level seemed sufficient. I'll park in the garage again and set some cardboard under the vehicle and try to figure out where it's leaking from.

[carnal_c30]

looks like engine oil to me, if trans fluid is that clear and brown thats not so good.

I've used synthetic in both my R50s 2000 (perfect and leak free to 200k miles) and my 2001 (perfect and leak free at 171l miles)

[miamiheat3332]

dont know if it was mentioned, didnt read every post thoroughly, but it looks like differential oil to me, if you havent changed yours out yet, it will be a darker brown like that, because the new mobil1 ive put in in both differentials is more clearer and stuff. But do check differentials, i think thats what it is.

If not, then i have to go with motor oil. But definently leaning to it being differential oil

edit: just read thru the posts, no one did mention this, check it out!

[Densetsu]

He mentioned that the leak seemed to be coming from the centre of the vehicle. I thought of differential gear oil, but the location kinda eliminates that.

Or we could just quit beating around the bush, and have him throw down some paper on the floor overnight. In the morning, check it to find where it's dripping, and then inspect underneath to nail down where it's coming from.

[miamiheat3332]

yeah i agree.

[01silvapathy]

Has no one ever heard of crawling under and looking up? Its not really all that difficult

[miamiheat3332]

yeah i mean honestly thats the first thing i do if i see any liquid thats under the car that shouldnt be there, people sometimes cant trouble-shoot.

[jpedderson]

We're not supposed to use synthetic? Huh? I've used Mobil 1 since new on a 2001 and have 205,000 mi on my truck...still runs great.

[Densetsu]

We're not supposed to use synthetic? Huh? I've used Mobil 1 since new on a 2001 and have 205,000 mi on my truck...still runs great.

Sigh...

According to the owners manuals, for '01 and '02 synthetic is fine ("Mineral based or synthetic type oils may be used in your NISSAN vehicle."). For '03 and '04, it's not ("NISSAN does not recommend synthetic type oils but recommends mineral based oils.").

[xswamperx]

Whens the last time you flushed your radiator out...could also be, from your described location, faulty water pump/thermostat..if you haven't changed or flushed it out in some time it can definitely be a rusty colored fluid. Sure looks like it to me, and ive had more than my fair share of experiences in that area lol.

[Towncivilian]

I let the car sit in the garage for about 2 hours pretty much cold (only drove it to move it in to the garage from the driveway, otherwise was just sitting all night/day), and localized the leak. You can see several pictures here. If somebody wants better lit pictures or ones from different angles, let me know.

[01silvapathy]

Motor oil, probably just a gasket that needs to be replaced. Simple enough job to do

[Towncivilian]

Thanks for the quick reply. Maybe I'll just have Nissan do it when I bring in the car for airbag inspection.

[Towncivilian]

Got an oil change at the local mechanic and they also put in some oil additive which seems to have reduced the leakage to a small, slow drip that seems to stop after the car cools down a bit. Hopefully it'll stop completely with the next oil change and application of additive.

[KyooX4]

Probably not the most mature response, but when I first saw the thread title I immediately thought, "Incontinence".