Name That Problem … 2014 Ford Escape SE

I don’t think this is normal. Is this a transmission leak???
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An said:
That looks more like coolant to me. I’d guess it’s leaking from somewhere higher on the engine and running down. Try following the moisture up to find the source.

Thanks! I’ll try that.

An said:
That looks more like coolant to me. I’d guess it’s leaking from somewhere higher on the engine and running down. Try following the moisture up to find the source.

What about brake fluid? The liquid looks very oily, and the brake fluid reservoir is almost empty.

I think it’s coolant running down from the transmission. Transmission fluid is dark red when new, but it turns black when used.

Quinlan said:
I think it’s coolant running down from the transmission. Transmission fluid is dark red when new, but it turns black when used.

It’s actually clear orange.

Is it clear orange? Looks more like coolant to me, probably coming from higher up.

Sterling said:
Is it clear orange? Looks more like coolant to me, probably coming from higher up.

Yep, it’s clear orange.

Could be a plastic coolant fitting on the driver’s side of the head.

Eli said:
Could be a plastic coolant fitting on the driver’s side of the head.

Is it normal for coolant to have an oily texture?

Eli said:
Could be a plastic coolant fitting on the driver’s side of the head.

What do you think about the brake fluid leak? I felt the liquid and it was very oily, and the brake fluid reservoir is right above the transmission.

I don’t think we’d ever see transmission fluid that clear unless you drained it recently. It’s probably coolant.

Mal said:
I don’t think we’d ever see transmission fluid that clear unless you drained it recently. It’s probably coolant.

Could it still be brake fluid? I checked my brake fluid reservoir, and it’s above where the leak is. The fluid leaking out looks oily, not watery like coolant.

It’s coolant.

Roan said:
It’s coolant.

I’m just wondering, could it be brake fluid? The fluid looks oily to me. It doesn’t feel watery like coolant.

Peyton said:

Roan said:
It’s coolant.

I’m just wondering, could it be brake fluid? The fluid looks oily to me. It doesn’t feel watery like coolant.

Your picture doesn’t really show much, so all we can do is guess. You’ll need to track down the leak to know for sure.

This might help

It’s a Ford, so who knows?

Looks like a transmission leak. How many miles does it have?

Cass said:
Looks like a transmission leak. How many miles does it have?

It has about 170k, but the fluid looks clear orange with an oily texture.

Peyton said:

Cass said:
Looks like a transmission leak. How many miles does it have?

It has about 170k, but the fluid looks clear orange with an oily texture.

Have you changed the fluid? 170k is a lot of miles.