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Help! Green Fluid Leak

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by 3Pri_Baker, Jan 27, 2020.

  1. 3Pri_Baker

    3Pri_Baker New Member

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    Hey All,

    I have a 2011 Prius 5. This morning I saw what appears to be a large leak coming from the driver side front tire area. The fluid is a clear / green ish fluid. However, when looking at the coolant reservoir - the fluid in the reservoir is a pink color. Im not sure wether the radiator is leaking or what it might be. Any suggestions?
     
  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    There are two coolant reservoirs. Are both of them filled with the correct pink stuff?

    Green....

    Could your car be a Skrull, impersonating a Prius?
     
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  3. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    A possible cause is brake fluid, especially being near a wheel. Check your brake fluid reservoir.

    I know green is odd, but I've seen many Prii with green brake fluid. Many people suspect it's due to air contamination of the brake fluid, others suspect it's due to copper exposure from the sealing rings used in the system. Regardless, there's a bunch of cars running around with (previously) clear brake fluid that now has a green color to it.

    It's at least worth checking out.
     
  4. gliderman

    gliderman Active Member

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    Have you washed your car lately? What color is your window washer fluid? Mine is green.
     
  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Perhaps a dog took an unusual interest in the tire?
     
  6. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    and if you find him/her/it, please take it to a vet immediately........any green stuff exiting any urinary tract warrants being diagnosed and treated, even for a dog, lol.
     
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Ever had the vet request you catch some of your dog's first-of-the-morning pee? Good thing I was wearing short sleeves, that's all I've got to say...
     
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  8. AzWxGuy

    AzWxGuy Weather Guy

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    Did you park over somebody else's coolant leak mess? Uh, was the tire "patched" at one time with that Green Slime stuff that now has decided to start leaking out? Is your use of the word "large" refer to the area affected or rate of flow?
     
  9. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Did you run over a Vulcan????

     
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  10. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Now how are we supposed to get that image out of our heads??!! :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:

    Anyway, back to @3Pri_Baker, it sounds to me like brake fluid that's turned green, but that might depend on the definition of "large." The washer fluid tank is over on the passenger side in Gen 3, but I guess it might find a path over to the driver's side.

    When you said the coolant reservoir had pink liquid in it, I'll guess you meant the inverter coolant? You also said you wondered if the radiator was leaking. That's also supposed to be pink but someone might have put in the wrong stuff. What color is the liquid in that tank?
     
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  11. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    At least you don’t eat corn flakes every morning like I do.
     
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