Oil leak under car around the rubber mount for the radiator?

2008 CHEVROLET AVEO
167,000 MILES • 1.6L • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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RPJ
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Hello,

I noticed a leak near the front left of the vehicle. It seems to be an oil buildup on the rubber mount under the radiator. No leaks near the drain valve, just a leak that makes a stain on the ground.

Antifreeze and oil levels are good, just wondering where this leak may be coming from. Oil cooler line in radiator?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Roosevelt.
Dec 9, 2023 at 10:26 AM
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STRAILER
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Can I ask what color the fluid is? I have seen the radiator tank start to lek which is oily, and it would take a while for the coolant reservoir to drain down enough to notice. Also, there are transmission cooler lines that run to the left side of the radiator as well, so we need to raise the car up and look using a flashlight. You may need to remove the underside engine cover to gain visual access.

Here are guides and images to help us:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-is-leaking-oil

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-is-leaking-coolant

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/jack-up-and-lift-your-car-safely

Check out the images (below). Please upload pictures or videos of the problem so we can see what's going on.
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Dec 9, 2023 at 10:43 AM
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RPJ
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Hello Ken,

The color of the fluid is black, like oil. I have run my hand down the radiator side (on the left) and have not noticed any fluid there. I'm placing a cup under it to catch some of the fluid and will upload some photos for you to view.

Also, the coolant level is good.

Thanks,

Roosevelt.
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Dec 9, 2023 at 2:11 PM
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STRAILER
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The leak still can be coolant, but we will know more after you catch some in a cap and upload the image. Can you lift the hood and use a flashlight to see if the oil cooler lines are leaking at the radiator?
Dec 11, 2023 at 9:36 AM
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RPJ
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Hello, I did catch some of the fluid and it is coolant. You can see it in the image attached. Thanks!
Roosevelt.
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Dec 11, 2023 at 11:09 AM
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STRAILER
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Nice work, it looks like the radiator is leaking, I would use a flashlight to check the tank to core seals, sometimes you can see the leak until you remove the radiator.
Dec 12, 2023 at 11:38 AM
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RPJ
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I believe it is leaking from the seals.

Thank you Ken! I hope to get this rad changed soon. The car has 167,000, so I guess it was about to go sooner or later!

I'll keep you posted.

Thanks,

Roosevelt.
Dec 13, 2023 at 4:27 AM
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You are welcome, please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.
Dec 14, 2023 at 10:59 AM
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RPJ
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Hello Ken,

Thanks again for your help. Just an update, the radiator was changed, and everything is working fine for now. Hopefully I can get 200,000 out of this vehicle!

Roosevelt.
Jan 6, 2024 at 9:46 AM
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Nice work, yep, we need to hang on to our vehicles as long as we can.

Jan 7, 2024 at 10:04 AM