Blue color fluid on garage floor [SOLVED - radiator air relief plug leaking]

[ajab]

Hi everyone,
I just found "blue color" fluid on my garage floor after I pulled my M37X out. It was towards the back of the garage floor so it's coming from the rear and drip is left of center so I don't think it's differential fluid from the rear, plus the blue color wouldn't be correct.

Anyone have any ideas?

Another thing that just happened is my tire pressure dashboard indicator just lit up for the first time a few days ago and it's not due to the colder temperatures since we've experienced below zero temps in previous winter seasons without the light coming on. Also, when I go to the dash computer for information on tire pressure the screen shows no reading on any of the four tires.

Could there be a connection to both issues mentioned above? Or not? Does the tire pressure sensor system work off some kind of hydraulic fluid system?

Thanks,
Al

[Larz]

The tire pressures readings will remain at ** . They can only read pressure if the car is moving. As for the blue fluid, all I can think of is engine coolant. There is a white colored plastic reservoir near the radiator and it has two markings for fluid levels - one for hot engine, one for cold engine. It is possible for the fluid to leak and run along the underside of the car before dripping onto the ground. Check all hoses, connections, and the level in the reservoir. When was last coolant service done?

[ajab]

Thanks Larz,
Mystery solved with the tire pressure. As you stated I drove the car and the tire pressure registered for each tire and my right rear tire was a few lbs down. As soon as I put a few pounds of air in that tire and drove the car again the yellow tire pressure light on the dash went off and computer indicated the right rear tire went up two pounds so that issue is done! I didn't realize the car had to be driven for the tire pressure indicator to work, now I know!
As for the blue fluid I don't see any new spots on the garage floor. I have to take my car in for an oil change and I'll have Infiniti look for any loose lines or leaks.
Again, thanks for your help Larz...
Al

[Ilya]

What does the fluid smell like? My guess is coolant as well.

[ajab]

Good point, I didn't think of smelling it but I did wipe it with a paper towel so I could show it to my Infiniti dealer. I was confused because I think of coolant/antifreeze as green, not blue unless there's different colors and Infiniti uses a blue color, but I'll find out as I'm due for an oil change.

[Ilya]

Honda OEM = Blue
Nissan/Infiniti OEM = Green
Toyota OEM = Red

They are pretty much all the same formula but have different colors. IMO they are some of the best coolants as they don't have a lot of the additives that eventually ruin radiators that some of the American made, etc. coolants have.

Years ago, everyone on Maxima.org was using Toyota OEM fluid as it was the cheapest per gallon of the JDM fluids.

Disclaimer: This info is off the top of my head based on Maxima.org 5-6 years ago. It may be different now.

[biggie]

Wiper Washer liquid?

[Larz]

When I had my cooling system flushed and serviced, the dealer called it long life blue. The bit of fluid that is in the reservoir tank is indeed blue. No idea when the colors changed, but Infiniti now uses a blue coolant.

[ajab]

Ok, so the antifreeze/coolant could be blue, I'll find out on Friday as I'm taking it in for an oil change and yes, I was kind of thinking possibly windshield washer fluid too.

[DFW2011M56S]

The coolant in MOST Nissan/Infiniti vehicles since 2010 has been BLUE.

[ajab]

Thanks, I'll find out Friday...!

[ajab]

Well the blue was definitely Antifreeze/Coolant. There's a valve at the top of the radiator (on the drivers side). Why Infiniti/Nissan engineers need to place a valve at the top of the radiator seems rather odd but they did that. That's where my radiator was leaking from. Infiniti (with their infinite wisdom) recommended replacing the entire radiator at $1,000 so I said hold on. So I brought my car to my local mechanic and he said he can change the gasket behind the valve, there's no need to change the entire radiator so I can save myself about $950 dollars after parts and labor....enough said!

[Ilya]

lol nice. Glad you go it fixed.

[ajab]

Yes, thanks Ilya!

[EdBwoy]

Well the blue was definitely Antifreeze/Coolant. There's a valve at the top of the radiator (on the drivers side). Why Infiniti/Nissan engineers need to place a valve at the top of the radiator seems rather odd but they did that. That's where my radiator was leaking from. Infiniti (with their infinite wisdom) recommended replacing the entire radiator at $1,000 so I said hold on. So I brought my car to my local mechanic and he said he can change the gasket behind the valve, there's no need to change the entire radiator so I can save myself about $950 dollars after parts and labor....enough said!

I'm assuming you're talking about the top left/driver corner of the radiator facing the engine? Funny that the drip traveled all the way to the rear before hitting the floor. Those are always fun to track, but the color helped.

If it's that plug, usually they try to install those at the highest point on the cooling system because it is an air relief plug. Previously they were located off the heater core hoses behind the engine.
http://www.infinitipartsusa.com/2013-In ... /32933.htm

$1,000 solution for a problem that could be fixed in under 5 minutes and a 7 Dollar part? Damn!
What's the dealership name and location?
I'm glad you're getting it sorted out relatively cheaply.

[Larz]

One has to wonder if the dealer wanted a complete replacement due to some official protocol they follow or if the tech / service rep didn't bother to consider replacing that valve.

[ajab]

EdBwoy, thanks for the schematic, yes it's the drain plug Part#10. Yes, a $7.00 part fixes it instead of a complete radiator replacement of $1,000 dollars!
The dealership is Flemington Infiniti in Flemington, NJ. They also told me on another visit my in cabin air filter needed to be changed even though I changed it less than a month before my visit to the dealership. This just goes to show you really need to be aware of what your car needs (AND DOESN'T NEED AS IT'S EASY TO BE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE A WOMAN BRINGING IN YOUR CAR FOR SERVICING!)
Larz, My gut feeling is it WASN'T some official protocol they followed but most likely the tech not bothering to consider replacing the valve/drain plug.

[EdBwoy]

You're welcome.
I suppose I wouldn't totally blame them since the gasket/O-Ring isn't listed separately on the online catalog. I also know that they have a deeper catalog than what we can usually see online, so I still say
I believe the plug should come with an O-Ring or I've done it like your mechanic and just pulled generic O-Rings that fit and bingo!


Good note on knowing what is going on with your car.
I've known most advisers to be paid on some sort of commission structure. To me it looks like there is a lot of incentive to get that bill as high as possible, although I've met some genuine people who would really work with me. When you drive a luxury vehicle, it seems all bets are off.
If I had done everything shops recommended I do when I owned a Jaguar, I would have spent the purchase price of an Infiniti M in unnecessary maintenance when i owned it. DIY-ing and a general sense of criticality enabled me to keep most of my money in my pocket.

I have been joking with my friends and family about opening an auto shop for women. Well, not for women only, but one that promises women (and generally people who have other interests than cars) that they're not going to get screwed over when they walk in the door. Oh, and it will be open Saturday and Sunday mainly.

[Mjkkb2]

I have been joking with my friends and family about opening an auto shop for women. Well, not for women only, but one that promises women (and generally people who have other interests than cars) that they're not going to get screwed over when they walk in the door. Oh, and it will be open Saturday and Sunday mainly.

looks like someone beat you to it

https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/vi ... 0354115559

[ajab]

Wow! Times are changing!

https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/vi ... 0354115559

[ssmrico]

I need to look into this. I think mine is leaking too. seen blue only on driver side intake. and side of the bay twice. pic of the valve on the bay?

[EdBwoy]

Mjkkb2, lol. First I want to say those red heels don't belong in a garage. It's gotta hurt to stand on those!
Second, that sucks that a bunch of guys will be excluded. I have a lot of male friends that could care less about cars and do sometimes get taken advantage of at repair shops. I want to include all of them.

But, credit to her. She has a good setup going. Manicures while your car is getting done? Hell yeah, that's efficient errand management.

[EdBwoy]

Well, it seems I'm gonna have to explore this sooner than I ever hoped for. The temps here dropped below 10 and I see this blue-green surprise today:




Closer

[ssmrico]

not good. where is the bleeder u spoke about?

[Mjkkb2]

Mjkkb2, lol. First I want to say those red heels don't belong in a garage. It's gotta hurt to stand on those!
Second, that sucks that a bunch of guys will be excluded. I have a lot of male friends that could care less about cars and do sometimes get taken advantage of at repair shops. I want to include all of them.

But, credit to her. She has a good setup going. Manicures while your car is getting done? He'll yeah, that's efficient errand management.

no kidding! Hell, I would take my car there

[ajab]

EdBwoy; The drain/bleeder valve is located on the drivers side facing the motor up at the top. So if you're sitting in the driver's seat it's in the upper left hand corner facing you. You have to take the plastic cover off that's part of your air intake system that covers the top of the radiator. It has a Phillips head screw type...you can't miss it.

[ssmrico]

ill look toay., I think I seen that piece thanks

[EdBwoy]

not good. where is the bleeder u spoke about?

I need to look into this. I think mine is leaking too. seen blue only on driver side intake. and side of the bay twice. pic of the valve on the bay?

Well, I found it. And the O-Ring is more of a thick rubber gasket. Part # 21481-18000.
I'm going to replace mine, but FYI, mine had a bout a quarter turn of tightening left, so I did that first as a bandaid... although I am probably not going to drive it before fixing it. I have seen bad things happen from relatively small coolant leaks.
Video of location below:

[ajab]

So did the new O-Ring fix the problem? No more leaks?

[EdBwoy]

I haven't fixed it yet. This was just a reconnaisance tour to figure out the issue.
I just received my gaskets from Nissan today. A little over 2 bucks each