hello.. first of all i just wanna say hi . a long time follower and poster..but unfortunately i forgot my old password so i just create a new name, but i owned 2 ls400 now i just bought the 3rd one 1995 ucf20 with 193 thousands miles and promise never let it go again. now after 2 month into ownership, it develope a leak, not powersteering leak , or coolant , but it seems and smell like tranmission fluid . it leak right by the catalytic converter therefore making the cats smoke a bit..., now i hope it not a rear main seal or something that have to takr a whole thing out and costs of labor to fix a simple part...

what could of be ..that leak there..
and yes i am sure is tranny fluid.. because i use a white napkin and wipe it and surely it red and thick ..unlike coolant..

so please help me pinpoint it..

 

Power steering also uses automatic transmission fluid.
You will just have to get it up on ramps and look at it. Maybe clean it off the best you can and keep an eye on it.
You could start out by putting a dye in the power steering then see if that is the leak. If after a day or so and that is not it then add the dye to the transmission and have it on the ramps and watch where the dye first appears.

 

previous owner said replace brand new rack and pinion... so .... yea but i will do as u said... what do u check the dye with black light right ?

 

yes, get a kit at auto parts store

 

most likely high pressure power steering line failed, when it does it sprays the ATF (used in the PS system) all over one of the cats.


Get an aftermarket line or have your OEM line remade at any hydraulic hose shop .


Also a good time to replace the return line and the feed line that goes from the reservoir to the pump as these are usually leaking as well.

 

super wierd.. now i think it is the pressure hose line spray it all over .. cause i just check it and no leak what soever and it super dry down there and no leak to be found..but i check the pressyre hose and it does have a crack or a chips off portions... wow...