Thin pink fluid under engine?

[Michael McC]

I'm confused here. This is on a 2016 4x4. I noticed a small pool of thin pink fluid under my car in garage, about 6" in diameter. At first I thought I had a transmission leak. It didn't leak again for a week, then I had probably a half cup on the floor...enough to run out to the side of the vehicle. Same fluid.

I removed my skid plate, and saw that it was coming from this transverse-mounted thing just in front of and below the front differential. (Front is to left in photo.)

What the heck is it? Thought maybe power steering fluid, but these don't have even have a steering fluid reservoir that I can find. Auto Zone tells me it's coolant, but pink?

Perhaps related, I have had a rhythmic rub in front hubs. Replaced the vacuum valve a few thousand miles ago with no improvement. Is this the hub actuator?

Transmission and engine are dry. 4x4 works. Thinking it is the electronic hub actuator but can't find how to diagnose or work on it.

Any help?

 

[JExpedition07]

Check the transmission cooling lines above it for leaks, maybe it’s leaking on top of that thingy (whatever it is).

 

[Michael McC]

Thank you J. I tried to look further...will try again. Hub actuators are at the wheel, so that's not what that is.

 

[07navi]

Transmission fluid from the line going to the cooler.

 

[grdsman]

Looks like coolant to me from where it’s coming from. Check your radiator....my guess is the fluid is pink. Could be tranny cooler, too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sixsix]

The coolant in these things is a reddish pink...it's orange when it's brand new out of the bottle but when its been in use for a while it turns kinda red.

 

[john2017]

2017 4x2.... Had the same symptom first of this year. I thought it was fluid from the passenger side motor mount. Turned out to be engine coolant leak... they found the right side turbocharger coolant hose behind the turbo leaking. They had to remove the turbo to gain access.

 

[Dennis_H]

I thought I had a tranny leak also with that. Looks like it was crossover pipe gaskets and leaking down back side of engine.

 

[07navi]

I use the green.

 

[lbv150]

Ahhh....there is a big difference between water/coolant and trans oil....can you first tell us what is is? If you can't tell the difference by feel and smell, then sorry I'm done here.

 

[Michael McC]

This is a very thin pink oily fluid--like brake fluid or power steering fluid. I pulled the skid plate off again and have some better photos. The fluid was dripping from the rectangular box with fins. You can see that the fluid has spread around the box, but clearly does not come from above the box. The trans cooler lines run above the box but are easily visible and dry.

This is a power steering control box of some sort. The ends run to the steering arms. Rack and pinion? There is no power steering fluid fill reservoir in a 2016 that I can find.

The numbers off the items in the left of the first photo do not produce results on the general internet or Ford parts site. The rectangular box does not have a sticker on it.

So, we have a sealed power steering box with fluid in it that is not designed to have fluid added or replaced, and it's leaking intermittently. That's my diagnosis unless anyone can tell me otherwise.

Help!!! Guess I'm off to the mechanic.

 

[Adieu]

FL14-3D070 is indeed an Expedition/F150 Rack and Pinion assembly part number.

 

[michealmyers]

did you ever find out the problem for this, mine is doing the exact same thing

 

[gregcm21]

Mine ended up being the water pump. Thankfully i bought the extended powertrain and it was covered. They had it for like 4-5 days.

 

[N Red]

Just bought a 2017 Expedition and having the same issue. What ended up being the cause?

 

[Hamfisted]

A rebuilt rack assembly is about $400 from Rock Auto if you end up going that route.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...charged,3330850,steering,rack+and+pinion,7388





Video on replacing the rack ....