Fluid leak near distributor and exhaust flange

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aevansgatech
Posts: 346
Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2015 2:51 pm
Your car is a: 1982 Spider 2000

Fluid leak near distributor and exhaust flange

Postby aevansgatech » Wed Apr 05, 2017 1:24 pm

I've recently noticed a larger pool of fluid on the front passenger side under the engine. Over the course of a few weeks, it seems that fluid is dripping down from somewhere, collecting on the exhaust flange where the bolt passes through and connects the exhaust to the trans housing. The fluid just drips from there, but I suspect it's either coming from the auto trans fluid lines above or the distributor.

From what I can tell, the distributor gets a bit moist (mainly around the vacuum advance module). I don't know if it's a normal amount of oil/gunk on there so I"ll try to get some good pictures. I also can't clearly state whether it's engine oil or trans fluid. I'll try to collect a more "pure sample" and determine the proper color. Red = trans fluid for me.

Any other ideas would be very helpful!
1979 Spider 2000 (gone)
1984 Pininfarina Azzurra (for sale)
1982 Spider 2000 (here to stay)

jagonza
Posts: 121
Joined: Mon Feb 01, 2016 12:03 pm
Your car is a: 1977 Fiat 124

Re: Fluid leak near distributor and exhaust flange

Postby jagonza » Wed Apr 05, 2017 2:18 pm

I had a bit of a leak onto my exhaust manifold and down pipe that ended up being a loose hold down bolt on the distributor, about an 1/8 of a turn shut it off,

I cleaned everything really well, then went for a short ride and was able to trace it to that.

Hope it's that easy for you.
1977 Fiat 124 - Frankenstein engine
1999 VW Cabrio - Stock
1988 Fiero GT
And a couple of Daily Drivers

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So Cal Mark
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Your car is a: Fiat
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Re: Fluid leak near distributor and exhaust flange

Postby So Cal Mark » Wed Apr 05, 2017 8:05 pm

if it's a large pool it's probably either trans fluid or coolant. Auto trans fluid will usually clean the areas it leaks around.
Mark Allison
allisonsautomotive.com Fiat and Alfa Romeo parts and service. Performance parts our specialty!
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jdssr
Posts: 62
Joined: Sat Apr 06, 2013 1:08 pm
Your car is a: 1983 Pininfarina Spider
Location: New Jersey Shore

Re: Fluid leak near distributor and exhaust flange

Postby jdssr » Wed Apr 05, 2017 10:19 pm

Have you taken the distributor cap off to see if there is oil in the distributor? If there is, the seal is bad.
John D

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aevansgatech
Posts: 346
Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2015 2:51 pm
Your car is a: 1982 Spider 2000

Re: Fluid leak near distributor and exhaust flange

Postby aevansgatech » Fri Apr 07, 2017 1:41 pm

Hey guys,

Thanks for the recs. I'll open up the distributor and see what the inside is like. I'll also make sure the distributor bolts are not loose

This is the amount of gunk I see as well as the area where the auto trans lines have a connection.
Image

Image
1979 Spider 2000 (gone)
1984 Pininfarina Azzurra (for sale)
1982 Spider 2000 (here to stay)


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