Noticed some sort of mineral oil (think weight) spot on garage floor

It's the driver's left side. I'm checking the brake fluid, but it seems to be ok for now. Will investigate further tomorrow. Could it be something like VC fluid? This oil is transparent, not very slick to the touch, and practically odorless. What else is up there?

you have coolant - power steering - brake - AC compressor oil (and oil / grease) for fluids the motor mounts are fluid filled too...not sure what the fluid is

VC fluid is up front by the front diff.

ok I'm slow today - VC fluid? (read: SPELL IT OUT FOR ME) edit: OK slow everyday

Viscous Coupling..... for the C4S AWD setup.

awe THANKS all i could think of was Vario-Cam (knew that was wrong)

Viet Cong?

Is the car a TIP?

blinker fluid.. you can get it an your local auto store.. just top it off and you should be good.

OMG ... I have blinker fluid to check too?

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the fluid is transparent, has no smell to it and very thin. The other possibility someone mentioned would be shock oil. I'm going to try to get in some time with the local indy to put it up on the lift. I'm thinking if it was something like brake fluid, then I would experience some loss in brake pressure or pedal feel. But that is not the case. Also, the VC/diff fliud is very smelly although I don't have first hand experience. It's not coolant for sure. And since it's the front, not motor mounts or doubt A/C stuff. car is a manual tranny car.

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You may not experience loss of brake pressure from a brake fluid leak. Splash some water on the fluid. If it dissolves it is brake fluid (or possibly coolant but you'd detect a strong smell of anti-freeze so my money's on brake fluid if the stuff's water soluble). I like your idea of putting the car on the lift. Quite often when I visit my local Porsche dealer and make my way back to the service area I get to view cars on the lift. Fluid leaks stand out like a sore thumb. Even if the leak is not bad enough to have any fluid hitting the ground the fluid leak stain can extend from the front of the car back almost to the engine bay. Sincerely, Macster.

The Porsche tech told me the '04 Cayenne uses mineral oil for steering fluid. Not sure on the 996.

I can see that happening. I think Porsche/Audi/VW uses Pentosin, right?

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Yes. And if it is Pentosin leaking out the stuff attacks rubber. So you should not delay id'ing the source of the leak and getting it taken care of. Sincerely, Macster.

I just noticed the exact same thing under my 02 C42. Clear oderless oily liquid. Mine was in the center and right behind the front wheels. The plastic cover under the car is completely dry inside and out. I can't find anywhere that it's leaking. I mop my garage floor all the time so I know it's fresh.

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Check brake fluid level, power steering pump level, coolant level and the headlight washer tank level. even the battery fluid level. That much fluid hitting the ground some fluid level has got be low. The only fluid level you can't check is the A/C system refrigerant level. This has some oil in it to lube the A/C compressor so if there's a leak in an A/C condensor (not unknown cause they're quite exposed to rock damage) or a line while you'll see the signs of a leak to know there's a leak the A/C system needs special attention to id a leak. Sincerely, Macster.

+1 for Macster - My AC line to the condensor had an o'ring fail and drip clear oily stuff up front - but I would check all the systems toill you find the source

It might be the a/c leaking. The coolant cleans oil off surfaces so if coolant is leaking with its oil the coolant will be washing the oil off as the two travel down. For the national geographic version, female cockroaches will leave big spots of what looks like water (like a woman�s water breaking) before they lay their eggs. Although it could be a lover boy field mouse doing it under your car in style with his multiple dates for the night. Now what did you say that fluid smelled like when you put it on your finger If you are driving the car I'd also figure on checking a little while after parking it. The garage floor will remain cool while with radiators in the front the car will be hot there hence evaporating condensation coming off the a/c possibly travelling down one of the drain tubes. Page 421 in the pdf PET shows the tubes that drain the water from the section below windshield where the battery is. That area I figure can still hold water after a day of being in the rain. A/C's will drip a lot of water during running and when they frost up drip the water after sitting in the garage a while. I hope it's something simple like that. The other possibility's suck. Attached is a picture of the drainage lines listed in the service manual under Group 5 Body.

We looked under the car and BOTH my radiator end caps are leaking. This would also exxplain my coolant loss which is rather slow. Anyone know a CHEAP source for both radiators? Apparently, they're $600 a pop?