For the second time in two weeks I have found a few drops of honey colored fluid on the garage floor. It's got an oily texture to it and water like consistency. When I found this yesterday I got the ramps out and got under the car. I see the fluid collecting on the bottom of the flywheel housing. It appears that the fluid is coming from between the motor and trans and running down to this point. I'm guessing that it's clutch fluid and I know it's not motor oil. I added some DOT4 to the brake/clutch reservoir. I thought the level was 1/2 between min and max, but being clear fluid, it may have been higher to start with, because it didn't take much at all. No issues with brakes or clutch, but I'd like to resolve the leak. Anyone know of common leak areas that this may be coming from. Top side seems so tight, I couldn't ID the source of the fluid.

 

Is it a thick honey-color fluid? If so, have you checked the manual transmission fluid?

- Erik

 

No, in fact I looked again last night and did some comparisons. This is a very
thin water like fluid, but it leaves an oil residue on your fingers. I took a sample from the radiator over flow reservoir and a sample from the brake reservoir. All three seems slightly different by color or viscosity. I was surprised the coolant in the overflow tank didn't have more color. I was expecting it to be green. I was hoping there might be a clutch bleed valve in the area or something that might have just been loose. I don't have time to peel off all of the top side items to get a better look, so I'll take by a MINI repair shop this week. My experience with Flow Mini in Raleigh is that they'll start with the most expensive possibility first and trial and error from there, so if anyone know of a trust worthy Mini shop in Raleigh, NC - let me know.

 

It's probably coming from the brake booster under the clutch/brake fluid reservoir. Run your hand underneath there and see if you come in contact with some. I had the same issue.

 

Hi, did you find out what fluid is it? Noticed it last night on my 2008 MCS. Same honey-like colour, and a little oily feel. There was a pretty small puddle of it under the car, on the drivers side. My dual mass flywheel needs to be replaced soon, is it possible that it is causing the leak?

 

Sounds like clutch/brake fluid. See my post up above. Check your reservoir and brake booster for leaks.