Fluid leak

[Lenee]

My 2001 Infiniti i30 is leaking a heavy fluid (thicker than motor oil) from an area one foot in front of the right rear tire. It is not brake fluid or shock absorber fluid. It is coming from a line of which I have no idea where it goes to. Any ideas? and does it sound expensive. Thanks in advance for your help!

[loystock]

Can you take a picture then post, to give us a better idea?

[maxhopper]

Welcome to NICO.

Are any of your fluid levels low? I honestly can not think of anything that would be in that area. I would jack up the rear of the vehicle and see if you can pin point where it's coming from. Sunroof drain?

[Lenee]

We just discovered it is the parking brake hose. It runs from the parking brake then splits to go to each rear wheel. Now I am off to the store to get the parts. Thanks for your suggestions. It is much appreciated.

[Markc]

Parking brake is activated via a cable and brake fluid is not thick, (at least it certainly shouldn't be). I read somewhere about the trailing arm bushing being filled with a clear, thick liquid.

[Lenee]

We have been told that this is a lubricant for the parking brake cable. When we take it apart we will find out.

[Lenee]

One thing I forgot to mention. a response to your question. No, none of our fluids are low.

[Lenee]

Sorry I have taken so long to reply. It is positively the parking brake cable and it has fluid in it. We finally got it confirmed through Infiniti. The first service rep we got new nothing about it. The part comes in 3 pieces; from the parking brake to a Y connector in the rear, then 1 piece to the left brake and 1 to the right brake. Infiniti wanted $100.00 just for the price that goes to the right. We ordered it online for about $70.00. Still haven't received it yet so we have not tackled the job.

[Lenee]

This is a follow up to this thread. My husband changed the parking brake cable (when it finally arrived). He borrowed a neighbor's jack to make it easier. He is very mechanically inclined. It took him 3 hours. The hardest part of the job was changing a bolt which is located in the center of the car. The jack could not get the car high enough. So he did a bit of struggling to reach it. The cable comes pre-lubed and sealed. So all you have to do is attach it. Thanks everyone!

[Markc]

So it was the lube in the sealed, (not anymore), cable that was leaking?

[Lenee]

That's correct Mark C. The lubricant was leaking from the right rear parking brake cable. Somehow the cable sheath had been cut, probably by running over something. The leak is now gone since my husband changed the cable. What an odd problem - huh?