98 Golf vs' a tow truck

[BlackShadow]

Hi everyone,

I'm just after some advice of some Golf/car experts out there.

Nearly 3 weeks ago we bought a 98 Golf GL. It was in really good condition and the lady we bought it from had all her regular service receipts etc, we spoke to the mechanic who has serviced it for the last 6 years, all good...

Two days after we bought it we were driving down Parramatta Rd and the car just died. We called NRMA, turns out it was the Ignition coil, it had cracked and needed to be replaced. So we had it towed to our mechanics and it was fixed, no dramas.

Problem is, the next morning after we bought it home we noticed a leak coming from the front RHS of the engine (RHS as you're looking at it from the front). It's kind of like some watery grease (it's clear, not brown oil) and looks to be coming from somewhere near the front. I tried to have a look under the car (but an not really mechanically cluey) and there's what looks like a metal plate or shield, it's coming out from this. Our driveway is on a slope so it seems to be more pronounced after we've parked over night.

When the guy was putting the car on the tow truck, he wrapped the chains around where ever they put them and then lifted the car up while the hand-brake was still on. This meant that when he released the hand-brake the car rolled/jerked backwards. I'm thinking that maybe this damaged the engine somehow...

What I'm asking is if anyone has any advice on what we should do or if they've had a similar experience. Or even what it is that could be leaking and how much it would be to fix. I think it would be very difficult to prove that the tow truck did the damage but it is slightly frustrating that we bought the car, paid the insurance, rego transfer fees, then had to shell out for the new coil two days after we bought it and now it's leaking...

Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Golf Loon]

Is it an auto?
Could be automatic fluid.
Where do you live? If you came past my workshop in Campbelltown, I`d be happy to diagnose it for you.

[BlackShadow]

Thanks Golf Loon, yep it is an auto.

We're in Ryde so Campbelltown is a bit far for us. I'm happy to take it back to the guy who has been servicing it. He knows the car and semed pretty trustworthy.

Is this something we need to get seen to quick smart? Do you have a rough idea of what the cost might be to fix? Thanks

[Mrk_Mickey]

Usually a leaky fluid should be looked at when you can if it isn't leaking heaps then you may have a bit of time, but if golf loon thinks it could be auto fluid you would want to have it checked up soon.

Unfortunately for cost it could be anything..

[sydVR6]

It's kind of like some watery grease (it's clear, not brown oil) and looks to be coming from somewhere near the front.

You say it's clear and watery. I could be way off here, but I don't suppose it's condensation coming off your air conditioner after you switch the car off?

If it's an oil based fluid, ignore this as it's would more likely be ATF or something similar : )

The front engine mount on these cars is fluid filled and if it breaks, will leak a clear, oily gunk onto your driveway. Just a thought.