As the title suggests, I'm not sure what's leaking and I thought I'd ask the community before visiting a garage.

Can anyone enlighten me to what issue I have and what I could do about it? Photo attached

Ford Fiesta 05 plate (pre-facelift)

Cheers!

Have you been using air/con?

32 minutes ago, Bobr said:

Have you been using air/con?

I haven't, no

I should add the fluid is quite thin and brown in colour

Looks like it's dripping from the gearbox.  Could be gear oil or could be coolant dropping from above.

58 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Looks like it's dripping from the gearbox.  Could be gear oil or could be coolant dropping from above.

The coolant I have is red/pink I think so I'm guessing gear oil in that case?

if it was mine I would try doing the bolts up slightly tighter. Not much though. don't snap them. It's not a case of the tighter the better

12 hours ago, Will C said:

The coolant I have is red/pink I think so I'm guessing gear oil in that case?

It might look brown time it's run over the rusty gearbox and dripped onto the dirty floor though.  Gear oil usually smells pretty bad, and should feel oily, rather than thin and watery like coolant.

33 minutes ago, isetta said:

if it was mine I would try doing the bolts up slightly tighter. Not much though. don't snap them. It's not a case of the tighter the better

Thanks for the tip

 

30 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

It might look brown time it's run over the rusty gearbox and dripped onto the dirty floor though.  Gear oil usually smells pretty bad, and should feel oily, rather than thin and watery like coolant.

Okay. I'll have another look when it's dry outside. Thanks for your help.

I got a drip on my finger and it didn't smell of anything. I've attached a photo.

Looking under the bonnet I can't see any wet patches and it would seem the leak is underneath where the battery sits.

It does look like coolant tbh, and the top radiator hose is next to the battery and above the gearbox.

If you can't see where it's coming from I think it'll have to be a garage job unfortunately.

Edit - Oh, just remembered the windscreen washers leak on these...it might be screenwash dripping from the passenger side washer jet?

6 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

It does look like coolant tbh, and the top radiator hose is next to the battery and above the gearbox.

If you can't see where it's coming from I think it'll have to be a garage job unfortunately.

Edit - Oh, just remembered the windscreen washers leak on these...it might be screenwash dripping from the passenger side washer jet?

I've booked it in for next week. From what you've said it doesn't sound like it's worrying or costly. I'll report back when it's been.

I would have thought I'd see it wet higher up if it were the windscreen washer? I'll keep checking anyway.

Thanks for all your help, it's much appreciated.

Got it back from the garage today and they replaced the gearbox cover and resealed it as it was gear oil leaking. £110 for parts, new oil and labour

Might want to get your sense of smell tested...gear oil smells awful!

Glad it was easily fixed though.

 

I should stick with that garage; that price sounds pretty reasonable.

is this job easy to do as DIY?

5 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

Might want to get your sense of smell tested...gear oil smells awful!

Glad it was easily fixed though.

 

I blame it on my hay fever haha 😁 cheers

4 hours ago, Bobr said:

I should stick with that garage; that price sounds pretty reasonable.

I think I will do

3 hours ago, Martin-Fiesta-MK6-1.4 said:

is this job easy to do as DIY?

I'm not sure. Probably for someone who knows what they're doing, which isn't me lol

12 hours ago, Martin-Fiesta-MK6-1.4 said:

is this job easy to do as DIY?

Should be, just need to drain the 'box, undo those visible bolts, clean up the mating faces and add a bit of sealant before refitting.

9 hours ago, Will C said:

I blame it on my hay fever haha 😁 cheers

Ah, I know that feeling, really suffering myself this week haha!