Check out the pics below. I don't know if it's actually brake fluid or something else leaking or if it's something I picked up on the road. The liquid is oily, and kinda stinks. I opened up the brake fluid container and took a whiff, and they smell differently, but I don't know if brake fluid changes smells when left out in the open air. Also the brake fluid in the container is a clear yellow color, this liquid has a reddish color.

Has this happened to any of you guys? If it's not brake fluid, what else could be leaking in that area? BTW this is my left rear wheel. It's the only wheel that has this liquid.

 

It sure looks like brake fluid, plus that is the only thing it could be. Sounds like a warranty call to me.

 

take the wheel off and clean the area with brake cleaner spray see if it comes back

 

taste it. sounds weird but it works and it wont hurt you. taste a bit on ur finger tip from the bottle then sample the mystery fluid. id also look and the rest of the underbody and trans for any leaks as trans fluid is red in color and if the ower steering takes dextron which i seem to recall the xBs doing so you may have a leak there. as for it being on only one wheel thats a little unusual but not entirely impossible for a trans/power steering leak

 

/\/\/\ He said it's the left rear wheel. The ONLY fluid back there except fuel IS brake fluid. It's gotta be a leaky caliper. Get it replaced under warranty.

 

yup...

 

i know how to read.

i also have spent 20yrs learning to and actually diagnosing all manner of vehicular problems. not even dot5 brake fluid is normally red. the only fluids that are oiul based in vehicles i have ever seen are trans oil and well trans oil. normal power steering specific fluid is clear in color.

now for fluids moving from their point of origin due to a vehicle moving through air...happens all the time

now that's not to say that i am perfect in my diagnosis.

i ama very curioius as to what the op finds though

 

I think you ran over something, somewhere.

 

Before I tasted liquid on a wheel I would make certain there isn't a dog loose. Seriously, pull the wheel and inspect the caliper and piston very closely. Pull the whole caliper off and remove the pads for a close inspection. If you can't find the source then clean it with brake cleaner and drive it a few days and then look at it again. Check your barake fluid level to make sure it is full.

 

^^^ good point on the loose dog

 

I literally laughed at the dog quote. Do what this guy says....also, consider is how far worn are the pads. Fluid sneaks past overly worn pads. Replace and bleed.

 

Checked it, and brake lines and caliper don't seem to be leaking. I have a MT so I don't know if their gear oil is red, and my power steering fluid is bluish. This stuff smelled foul. At first I thought it was burn brake fluid, but I don't think the tC's rear rotor could get so hot as to burn brake fluid to such a degree. At this point, I'm guessing that I must've picked it up somewhere. Probably from a truck's exhaust pipe spit this fluid out and it landed on my wheel/brake. And since they have the exhaust pipe on the side, it's a perfect aim.

Everything looks ok for now, but I'm still gonna have the dealer check it once I go in for my first free oil change.

 

yeah sounds you got spit on with the manual which uses gear lube not red and the steering that with a bluish tint would be actual power steerinig fluid instead of atf. with brake dot3 brake fluid being based on mineral oil it just blackens when heated the same is true with the synth dot3/4 blends that are out there.

glad to hear it sounds like nothing let us know otherwise

 

Judging by the direction of the drops and their shape it looks like something squirted into the wheel. You may want to check your body paint in case someone is trying to trash your paint job with petrolium solvents. The real test of your brake lines is to stop and press really hard on the brake pedal but don't use two feet! If it is going to leak it will do it then and you won't crash if stopped.

 

Yeah, just clean the stuff off and watch if it returns. It's stange how it got there if it isn't leaking but stanger things have happened.

 

I got an update on what this mystery fluid actually is. I feel kinda stupid now that I actually know what it is, but at least this info will prevent any other owners out there from worrying. Ok, it was.............. cat urine, or whatever they use to mark their territory. Still, if you see fluid coming from your brakes don't automatically assume a cat liked your car a bit too much. Check the brake fluid container, and make sure the fluid is between the "min" and "max" marks. Also, urine contains ammonia, so wash it off ASAP if you see it on your car.

 

eeeewwwwww who said to taste it!!!!

 

DON'T GET BRAKE FLUID ON YOUR PAINT!!!! IT WILL RUIN YOUR PAINT!
If that gets slung up on to your paint it'll ruin your it. It can cause permanent stains and the clear to peel.

 

seriously

glad you got it worked out, brakefade... now go find that cat!

no one pees on a tC

btw, what PSI are you running? The last pic in your original post makes it look like the tire is low on air.

 

AAARGG! I hate cats!
Simple solution