I just noticed this morning a small puddle of redish colored oily fluid leaking from the underside cover between the front wheels. And of course, it is Sunday before xmas, service center is closed. Any ideas what it might be?
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Red fluid leak under front
- Thread starter Cosmacelf
- Start date
That’s what I was afraid of. Not much liquid has dripped out, but I’ve got a 5 hour trip coming up soon, so not sure I can do the trip without getting this fixed. Glycol is oily as well, so, yeah, probably coolant.
The coolant is blue. I'm almost certain what you're describing is ATF used in the differential. I strongly recommend calling roadside assistance and not driving with your drive unit in that condition.
skitown
Member
2nd this. Just had some work done by our ranger and a bit of the battery coolant dripped on the garage floor he cleaned up. Couldn't remember if it was blue or green, but definitely wasn't red.
Every Tesla made has had a gear reduction along with a differential. Need lubricant for that. No doubt there is a maintenance interval for replacing that oil but it probably on the order of 60,000 or 100,000 miles. Anyone know?
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Has varied a little over the years, at times it has been something like 12k miles then 500k, other times I think just 500k.
With no clutches and no traditional ring and pinion that has massive loads from changing rotation angle I think the fluid has a relatively easy life compared to most applications.
With no clutches and no traditional ring and pinion that has massive loads from changing rotation angle I think the fluid has a relatively easy life compared to most applications.
Did you happen to wash the car or drive through a lot of puddles? When I first did this on my X there were browish-red puddles in my garage. I believe this was some excess aluminum sealant that was sprayed on. I used to use something like this on a plane, and every time I flew in the rain it dripped for a while before settling down
No, my X is three years old. And I could see the stain the dripping was leaving on the plastic undercarriage protector. Anyways, my X is at the shop right now and I've got a loaner. Will report back when I hear something.
Sure enough, it was a gearbox oil leak:
Customer states found red fluid dripping underneath car on Sunday. Reddish fluid dripping from middle to front underneath car. Car was towed in.
Technicians inspected vehicle and found the drivers side axle seal leaking. Technicians removed and replaced the axle seal. After repairs, verified vehicle operating as designed and concern has been rectified.
Correction: Front Gearbox Fluid
Customer states found red fluid dripping underneath car on Sunday. Reddish fluid dripping from middle to front underneath car. Car was towed in.
Technicians inspected vehicle and found the drivers side axle seal leaking. Technicians removed and replaced the axle seal. After repairs, verified vehicle operating as designed and concern has been rectified.
Correction: Front Gearbox Fluid
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