Mystery leak - help! (updated with photos)

[coolbugfan]

Hi Sambas,

Just put the car away after a short drive (1965 1200, stock). As I was putting it away, I noticed an unusual leak. Drivers side at the back end of the front fender. It looked like motor oil. Greasy. Brown. There was a small patch on the ground behind the front wheel. The lip of the front fender (just where the running board attaches) had oil in it. The front tire had oil on it, but that might have been from just driving through the little patch on the ground. I can’t see anything leaking.

There has been a lot of work done at the back of the car, but not the front. I did grease the four spots on the front beam after the previous drive.

Thoughts? What to check? I’ll try taking the front wheel off for a better look, but I wanted to see what folks thought first.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Thanks.

[Dougy Dee]

Brake fluid

[coolbugfan]

Scary thought!

So I pulled the car out to check. I didn't see anything leaking from the brakes. I checked the brake reservoir and it is full. I haven't added any brake fluid in over two years. I took some photos. The only thing I could see was a little leaking from the tube with the grease nipples. Today was the first drive since I regreased them. I'll add some photos of the area. thanks.

[rcroane]

I agree that it is most likely brake fluid, possibly from a leaking wheel cylinder. Do you see any fluid on the tire sidewall below the backing plate?
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'65 Sunroof Bug

[coolbugfan]

No. That’s why I posted the photos. I don’t see leaks anywhere. Just the grease.

[Eric&Barb]

Looks like you are missing the rubber grommet on the speedo cable where it goes into the LH spindle. Without that grommet the water sprayed up by the RH wheel can get into the wheel bearings. Bearings + water = rusty parts that do not work well.

Missing the rubber caps over the brake bleeder valves. Without those caps the bleeder valves get rusted into place and break off just when you need to bleed the brakes.....
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In Stereo, Where Available!

[Hnoroian]

Quite a few if your photos look “wet”. Agree it could be from the Speedo cable seal but how are your shocks doing? You say you regressed the beam, could be excess pushed out, I see new red grease coming out. Could be from that. Next thing to do would be take off your wheel and drum to see what’s behind it.
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[sportin-wood]

I didn't see where you indicated how the master cylinder looked. Have you checked that area to see if there's leakage?
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