Help: found fluid on plastic radiator shroud

[GeminiZ06]

Washed my 08Z this AM - used a pressure washer and a power scrubber - where the soap gets pumped through the wand and brush


Afterwards, I drove her for a bit and then came home to change the oil. I put the front jack stands on the front crossmember and the rears on the rear jack stands.

Got underneath - essentially did the entire oil change. Afterwards, as I was creeping out from underneath, I saw a drip and a small little puddle of about 2" in diameter - stuck my finger in it and it felt like hydraulic fluid - it was definitely reddish/pinkish and quite clear. I saw where it dripped from and it was the fan shroud. I got a flashlight and looked further and noticed that the edges of the plastic fan shroud were wet - the side facing the engine of course. I don't know if its hydraulic fluid or not but it doesn't smell like coolant.

Looks like at less than 4K miles I'll be bringing her into service for a looksie.

But I would appreciate if anyone can give some ideas as to where I should look and/or what it could possibly be. The power steering reservoir seemed full - but will check again.

The soap I used is reddish in color as well - but I highly doubt that was soap - especially since the soap was in solution and this was clearly oil based.

[meldog21]

Just a guess, but do you have a K&N or other brand air filter that you have oiled recently? That's what it was on my car when I found red oily stuff dripping from the front end.

Dog

[GeminiZ06]

Sorry to say but no aftermarket air filter - this car is bone stock - except for some new M1 5w30 and PF48 filter

I went back and looked again - I think its either tranny fluid from the cooler - but I really don't know

Dealer opens at 7AM - I'll be first in line

[GeminiZ06]

another look while car was running - went underneath - definitely a leak from the tranny cooler - that is only pinksih oily fluid in the car - yes?

I took pics as well

Anyone know of a good OC dealer for service?

[seamus2154]

Yep, That was were I was going to go. Yes it is the only pink fluid and I would say that is the only way for it to get up there(cooler). All the other fluids are clear to golden. My service manuel is outside but mabey someone can advise how are the lines affixed. Can you tighten it or if it is like the rear, which I just did, and pull the clip and pull the line clean and reinsert. I hate letting the dealer touch it if it can be avoided.