What liquid is leaking from underneath my car? Ford Fusion Hybrid 2014

John Squire · 2 Apr 2020 at 08:41

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could advise on what liquid is leaking from underneath my vehicle.
I noticed a small pool of liquid a few days ago on my garage floor underneath where my car had been parked. So I put a metal tray with paper towel underneath to try and identify what it could be.

The leak is coming from just inside the rear drivers side wheel (I'm in the US so left hand side drive). I've attached a photo of underneath the car and another of the clear-ish liquid on the paper towel.

Anyone have an idea of what it could be?

Picture of underneath car just inside rear driver side wheel

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Kitchen towel with liquid residue

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Django x2 · 2 Apr 2020 at 09:05

Have you sniffed it? Where's your filler cap?

Davy644 · 2 Apr 2020 at 09:15

Does it have a rear windscreen washer bottle?
What does it smell like?

bazzabear · 2 Apr 2020 at 09:38

If it's colourless and odourless, then it's probably just condensate from your air conditioning.

[TW]Fox · 2 Apr 2020 at 09:44

For anyone that is confused, this is a Mondeo here.

chroniclard · 2 Apr 2020 at 09:50

Looks like the fusion drive has a crack in it and the fusion is leaking out.

eviled · 2 Apr 2020 at 10:01

shock oil ?

sovietspybob · 2 Apr 2020 at 10:11

Is it oily to the touch?

Could be brake fluid as that's clear, or oil from the shock? I guess you'd know if it was petrol as you'd smell it a mile off.

tom_e · 2 Apr 2020 at 10:24

Looks like condensation draining out, anything else would have more of a colour to it on white kitchen roll I would have thought or you'd smell it if it was petrol.

Scania · 2 Apr 2020 at 12:25

Air con.

Terminal_Boy · 2 Apr 2020 at 12:30

Scania said:
Air con.

Under a rear wheel? I know Yank cars are weird, but the AC’s still at the front.

Bug One · 2 Apr 2020 at 12:36

Is that underneath the fuel filler? Any chance you overfilled with diesel, or ad blue? They usually have a little drain hole under the flap.

If not, I'd guess shock absorber.

[TW]Fox · 2 Apr 2020 at 14:13

Bug One said:
Is that underneath the fuel filler? Any chance you overfilled with diesel, or ad blue?

No, because all Fusion Hybrids are petrol.

Bug One · 2 Apr 2020 at 14:18

[TW]Fox said:
No, because all Fusion Hybrids are petrol.

Cheers.

In that case - I'd be looking at replacing that shock. Looks similar to in this guys rant about the Mondeo and it's faults.

bazzabear · 2 Apr 2020 at 14:27

I hadn't spotted the rear wheel bit. Ignore my suggestion of air con related!

bobuk · 2 Apr 2020 at 15:00

I'd go for a leaking shock absorber

ezekial · 2 Apr 2020 at 23:39

It's a serious leak if it's a shock. But I cant imagine much else leaking there other than brake fluid.

Finglonga · 6 Apr 2020 at 00:12

That is where the rear lower spring cup is the damper is over a towards rear just out of shot. If a damper is leaking it will be a doddle to spot by looking underneath. Use a phone to video it with the light on.

jpaul · 6 Apr 2020 at 08:16

if you bounced the rear you may discern if its the shock ... but looking in the wheel arch - yes