Mysterious Amber-Colored Leak From 3.5L LX5 V6

[Ryan E.]

Ok, I hope I posted this in the right place, but starting last month (Dec. 2019) I noticed an amber-colored fluid leaking from what appears to be toward the left (driver) portion of the engine, about in the middle (like near the oil pan). With my car not moving for a few days, when I looked at it today it also had some teeny-tiny bubbles in it. The weird thing, though, it doesn't seem to be engine oil. When I touch it it's very slippery and oil like and when touching normal engine oil that feels more watery in comparison. The color between the two is also different, with this leak light-orange in color and engine oil being more brown. Looking through the manual I can't identify it as being anything listed. Based on color I know it's NOT: coolant (mine's green), transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, engine oil, washer fluid, etc. Now, for about 8 years, I have been using Stop leak in it to fix the crossover valve (which saved us from a $3,000+ repair bill). We used Bar's Leaks Liquid Copper. What's weird is if you look at the side of the engine (drivers) and look DEEP within, there's some kind of amber-like fluid that's coagulated, which happens to be the exact same color of the mysterious leak I'm talking about. Based on the color of that coagulated mass, I think this "leak" is coming from it, but I still don't know for sure what it is. Also, that coagulated mass has been there for quite some time (a few years). This is my car currently, and it's been in my family since December of 2003 and this is the first time I've ever seen this unusual leak (apart from other things leaking such as a lot of engine oil).

Because I can't identify it as anything obvious I've continued to drive my car like normal. But any ideas? Because my car is already so old and has virtually no resale value I don't plan on doing anything about this as long as it's not coming from anything major.


Pictures:
(One is comparing the color of the unknown leak (left) vs engine oil (right)

[Toronado3800]

Interesting. Brake fluid level ok? What volor is your anti freeze?

Remember your car is worth what it woulf cost to replace it in your life.

[RCA1186]

Does it have a distinct smell? Are there any other angles you can get to show the coagulated mass of liquid? On the ground it kind of looks like fresh oil.

[tigger]

It's coolant.

[Tanner Blackart]

If I was a betting man, I'd put a finsky down saying the coagulated mass is the Barr's breaking down.

What also gets me is you are using green antifreeze. I put green in my wife's Vue when I should have put Dexcool in... well, the results were not pretty in car line, that's for sure.

My guess on the puddle on the floor was going to be coolant until you said you used green. I'd be looking at the Barr's repair but that's just me. I dont trust those liquid stop leak products at all.

[tigger]

Look at the last picture. That's the EGR valve in the top left, which sits on the coolant crossover. The coagulated blob is pretty much directly under that.

The crossover seals are shot! Leaking coolant collects and gets boiled down by engine/trans heat forming the blob. With no room left for it to collect, or the leak(s) getting worse, coolant is now dripping to the ground.

But I would agree the copper stop leak is why it's orange...


What gets me is someone gave a 3k+ quote to replace the seals!!!