redish-pink fluid leak

[clay milleson]

I have a 01 cherokee limited with 4.0lt,auto tran,and up country package.I'discovered a leak under the jeep,near the front right corner.It seem to be redish pink in color and spots on a rubber flap just above the skidplate.I have'nt been able to look for it,because of the weather and its covered by a engine skidplate.Any idea's what it might be from,and degree of difficutly.It does'nt seem to be leaking to bad,and I checked all my fluid levels and they are all ok.Any ideas would be great.thanks

[Saudade]

Rub the fluid between your fingers. Does it feel more oily or more watery? Then smell it and compare to your power steering fluid, coolant, trans fluid and brake fluid.

Get a strong flashlight and look in the engine compartment from above around the area of the drip and see if you can spot more. Sometimes, these fluids run along other structure and can travel quite a ways before it actually drips off.

[gregmondro]

Another thing to check would be the transfer case for leaks. The fluid is a reddish color as well iirc.

[sector95]

Look in your radiator or overflow tank.... what color is your antifreeze? If it's green then you can rule out a coolant leak. If it's pink anti-freeze, then do as Suadade said and rub the stuff between your fingers; if it is light and non-viscous (not oily feeling) then it's probably anti-freeze

Power steering and brake fluid are clear when new and usually develop a light amber color as they oxidize/age.... sometimes brake fluid can turn a dark amber color if it's really old. Transmission fluid is typically bright pinkish-red when new and darkens with age. Pull the dipstick out of the tranny and see what color your fluid is.

If the stuff is pink and oily then it's probably tranny fluid. If the leak is showing up near the front of the Jeep, then I would check the trans cooler lines; there are connections on the right side of the radiator (driver's side) for the integral cooler built into the radiator. There is a "quick disconnect" fitting near the center of the radiator by the harmonic balancer/crankshaft pulley.... this fitting is a "sanp-click" push together connection having a rubber O-ring
in it. You will probably have to remove the front skid plate to get a clear view under the front lower areas. Also check the connections on the tranny case as the fluid can migrate and drip far from the actual leak source. Many times a compression fitting just needs a little snugging or, if the quick disconnect is leaking, it can be replaced fairly easily.

Happy hunting and good luck,

mike