Radiator warning light and some brown liquid

[Monaro427]

When I took off from work today, I noticed that the radiator light was on (and stayed on). While driving through the city, I turned the car off at a traffic light and back on and the light went out and stayed out. The car only just had a service last week. The radiator fluid seems a bit low and I saw some brown liquid under the car when I had a looked just then. Picture attached.

http://ls1.inetoz.net/DSC_6194_s.jpg

The liquid was at the front of the car and felt quite oily.

Any ideas what is happening here?

[VX2VESS]

radiator level light? how low is the level?

oil coming from what area under the front? could be PS fluid or engine oil without looking at it, if its oily.

[blwnhr]

Loose oil filter? Coolant level is just a coincidence?

Happened to me when my car was serviced by the dealer before I picked it up.

[Monaro427]

Radiator fluid is not at the maximum. It's about 5cm below it. Doesn't look like power steering. Not red enough.

It's at the shop now, so we'll see.

[VX2VESS]

5 cms is a bit, prob enough to set off the level warning, unless the level plugs come off.
not sure the service would have changed it, which can cuase a drop when the air comes out. doubt it would be due for it? but you have no external coolant leaks, be interesting to find out why that dropped. can be so many things, ones not so nice, internal.

prob the loose oil filter, hopefully not sump plug.

PS oil can go brownish, esp when never changed and a few hot runs. but its thin, engine oil is a lot thicker. can tell from the smell too.

[Monaro427]

One day I might be able to post smells to the internet. Can't wait :-)

Apparently the radiator had a leak. They replaced it.

Not sure why the fluid on the floor was so oily and brown.. Maybe sludge from the bottom? Who knows.

[zorro]

standard coolant is the red color, couple of years plus dust on motor and on floor can make it look dirty.

plastic tanks do split. no overheating nothing to worry about

[theVman]

I say you are most likely to have a small split/crack where the thermos mount to the radiator end tanks (stupid bloody idea) and it is weaping a bit of fluid out. If you look down the end tanks you can usually just see them.

I thought the same when I reversed out of a mates place just after xmas last year. We couldnt work out what it was until we had a closer look. The standard fluid has an oily sort of feel like you describe. I too noticed the light come on and off a few days prior!!

[Monaro427]

Yeah, they did refer to it as a small crack in the radiator. Sounds like the same sort of problem. Thanks all!