Hey Guys,

I went out to my G (2003 auto coupe) today and found a puddle underneath the driver side of the gas tank (under the plastic cover in front of the rear wheel).

It was dark brown (probably darker than it normally would be since it was all dirty).

I jacked it up and took the plastic cover off, turns out the bottom of the gas tank (driver side) is coated with what looks like oil (dark brown). I went to wipe it off with a paper towel, and the coating wiped right off, leaving only the bare shiny metal of the gas tank.

This made me think it was gas mixed with grime from under the car, but it doesn't smell like gas, and i tried to light the paper towel on fire after, and it barely lit up, if it was gas i think it would have burst into flames after I touched the lighter to it.

Oil wouldn't cause the coating to just wipe off the tank, so I started thinking it was brake fluid. Does the brake line from the driver side rear wheel run on top of the gas tank? That's the only thing that I can think of.

 

I think it does, if you look under the car you can see the brake line running to the back of the car.

 

"PAINT?!?!?! On tank...OMNOMNOMNOMNOMNOM" ~Brake fluid

 

Courtesy Parts diagrams indicate the brake and fuel lines run down the passenger side of the car. I also have a picture of the underside of a Z showing the lines on the passenger side. But that's no guarantee the fluid couldn't find its way to the driver's side.

It's been a while, but I seem to remember brake fluid has a unique odor, but it's not nasty. Old gas smells pretty bad.

 

You give it the dab and sniff test, try running it, and looking at leak, etc....?

 

Seems like gas would evaporate quickly. Smell should tell you for sure if it is gas. If that much was leaked from brakes it should show in the master cyl reservoir.