oil leak inside the car?

Question

i have a volvo estate automatic (very old G reg) and the footspace by the drivers pedals has started getting oil of some sort seeping through the carpet, not black oil perhaps gear fluid??
any ideas ?? no leak under the car

Answer 1

Brake fluid from master cylinder. My VW Bus used to do this too. Cheap and easy fix.

Answer 2

Somebody already suggested brake fluid leak. If it has power brakes AND it's not diesel, it's extremely unlikely because the power booster is located between the brake master cylinder and the firewall so all fluid would stay inside the booster. If it's a diesel, it has a hydraulic booster that runs off the power steering pump instead of vacuum-operated gasoline engine booster, and in this case fluid may leak inside. The thing is: diesel engine doesn't produce intake vacuum the way gasoline one does. And finally, if it's a hydraulic clutch stick shift, chances are the clutch master cylinder is leaking. In any case, take a flashlight, and determine the exact source of leak.

Answer 3

Like the guys said above, check the firewall, under the hood, on the drivers side. My money is on the brake fluid. There is a cylinder there and if it leaks that bad than time to replace it, completely, either with a kit or new unit. Use a GOOD flashlight to look under the hood too.

Answer 4

had the same problem with my 245 its your brake master cylinder the seals have blown thus everytime you put your foot on the brake. some of the fluid gets pushed backwards along the pushrod at the top of your pedal you should be able to buy a master cylinder repair kit quite cheaply from most auto factors or dealers if it were your gear oil it would be red and would smell really bad scrape some of the floor and ten to one its dirty brown oil ok quick revision check the coulor of the oil on the floor if red it's hydrolic fluid (power steering) if blueish (coolent from your heater matrix) if dirty brown (brake master cylinder) my money is on the cylinder

Answer 5

Check all break pipes and hydraulics bolted to the bulkhead, this is the steel panel directly under the windshield. so lift the bonnet and where the steering wheel drive shaft comes though from the steering wheel. Oil has to be leaking through the bulkhead. This could be Steering fluid as the steering rack will be bolted here, only do check both the steering fluid and the break fluid everyday, as one of these will be loosing oil.

Answer 6

it could be brake fluid. this is the only fluid that resembles oil that can leak into the vehicle.it may also be coolant leaking from the heater core. either way you need to get it checked out by a mechanic because both can lead to a safety issue with your vehicle.it can lead to loss of brakes due to lack of brake fluid or overheating due to loss of coolant and pressure in the cooling system.

Answer 7

It could be brake fluid running out the rear of the brake booster and running down the firewall to your feet. Check the level of the brake fluid to see if it is running low and if it leaking from the brake booster.

Answer 8

This could be brake fluid.

Do the brakes work well?

Check the brake fluid reservoir. If you dont know where this is then you really need to get the brakes checked at a garage.

Answer 9

It's probably fluid from your clutch cylinder or brake master cyl.
Master Tech 40 yrs.

Answer 10

Do you have power steering? I'd check the steering shaft for leaks, or it could be grease that has worked it way out of the seals. That would be the only area that I can think of inside the cab area, that would have any grease/oil in it.