searching for brake fluid leak

[Bukowski]

87 944 NA

I see wetness leaking out of the driver side rectangular drain ports nearest the fender. wondering if it is brake fluid - but specifically, what would it take for brake fluid to leak out of the clutch master cylinder and come out there, yet not be apparent at the firewall or inside the footwell?... i.e. if this were in fact brake fluid, what would be going on? the answer might be that it would be impossible...

I know calipers and other things can leak but really I want to know more about this drain port and what it is telling me. I might try to post a pic, depending if owners know what I mean or not.

.. yes I put my pic down there. so the inside fender cover (WTH is this called) might be letting liquid through also.

[Panzer909]

You sound convinced that it is in fact brake fluid and simply not water - how so? Did you dip a finger in it and smell it yet?

[Bukowski]

... here's a pic



... Panzer909, your point is taken, though [A] I don't trust my senses so much [B] the question, which I may re-hone - is "if it were in fact brake fluid, what would have to be going on in that case".

the answer may very well be "that is near impossible", which works for me.

[mytrplseven]

Actually, If you go to the auto parts store and buy a fluorescent dye kit (dye, glasses, special flashlight) and put some in the brake reservoir and then do a quick brake bleed, you'll quickly find the source of the leak. If there's no evidence of a leak after about a week of driving, then it's not the brake system. These kits are cheap and they help finding leaks in most all liquids. I used it a lot chasing down leaks in the motor.

[Gawernator]

If you used Super Blue it would be obvious ;D

[Bukowski]

I suppose the argument that the dye will not interfere with brake fluid function is that super blue has a dye. Does "regular" fluid?

Does Super Blue fluoresce?

[jeffrsmith]

I don't think it fluoresces, but you are definitely able to discern it from other possible fluid leaks (without the cost of the other gear).

[veleno]

Is the brake master reservoir getting low? If it is then you have a leak. If it's a very slow leak then that's harder to find. The picture you posted, if that is your hard brake line, then maybe it has a leak on it somewhere.

[Bukowski]

OK maybe I should have asked the simpler question:

what path leads to these two drain ports?

i.e. where do the ports originate?

... i.e. where do I dump water to see it come out the ports?...