What can this leak mean? (Pics)?

[haleymo21]

I didn't see this leak until this morning when I came back to work. My car was parked in this spot all day yesterday while at work. I pulled up and saw it and I figure it came from my car as I doubt anyone else parked there. I work as a nanny so I work in someone's home, leaving my car parked in a driveway. The family I work for keep their cars parked in the garage. As you can see from the pics, it is on the left passenger side and more towards the middle of the car.

The color is hard to tell in the pics but from outside, it looks brown. I don't know if this could just be because it has been sitting there for a long while or not, though. I'd hope that if the family I work for noticed a red leak (like transmission fluid) in their driveway after I had left, that they would say something about it. But maybe not. I always thought transmission fluid doesn't soak in to pavement like that, as whatever this is, seems to have done. It isn't from my AC. I use my AC very minimally and I get here very early in the morning, 6AM, so I wouldn't even need it in the first place. Plus, I prefer having my windows down.

 

I've been having a few symptoms which I've been unable to explain or figure out. My car hesitates while driving. It does not hesitate while accelerating or decelerating. Only when driving at high speeds. It seems to do it worse the longer I drive it, and sometimes (it's not always the case) after the engine warms up. Sometimes, it doesn't do it at all. I can't figure out when and why it happens. I just know that it does. I also need new tires badly, so I don't know if this could have an affect on the hesitation feeling or not. I say feeling, because it is hard to explain. It really feels kinda like a hiccup, more so than a "hesitation."

 

I have a 2000 Dodge Neon. I have replaced a few minor things over the last two weeks. I had head gasket valves replaced. PCV pipe and valve replaced. Gas hose replaced. And the lower radiator hose replaced. My dad did all of this for me. And he also did a coolant flush when he replaced the radiator hose.

 

I had it inspected two weeks ago when I went and got an oil change.. but I took it to Firestone, and they didn't do a very good inspection at all. I'm planning on taking it by a local transmission place ASAP, but it's hard to manage a time slot because I work full time and this place is only open on weekdays!! Grr!

If it's a transmission leak, how much might it cost to fix this? I actually just bought this car almost three weeks ago from a dealer for pretty cheap ($1500). But it took me a long time to save just that small amount, because I've had school loans/bills to pay off (and still do.) I just need a car to get me to work and back. I won't use it for anything else. I drive about 20 miles a day and that is it. But it is going to really suck if this is a huge, costly fix. I'm not even sure it'd be worth it at this point as I believe the car is on it's last leg anyways, and will probably only last me a year or two.. which is really all the time I needed it for anyways. It's got 148,098 miles on it right now.

Any assistance or expertise would be helpful. I know it's hard to diagnose without looking at the car yourself, but suggestions would be great. Thanks.

[Richard2010]

It sounds like you might have a small leak from your transmission. Generally transmission fluid is brown when it needs to be changed. A small leak is of small concern, it's best to check the fluid level and add if necessary. You can go to http://www.autorepairyellowpages.com to find a transmission repair shop or mechanic to inspect the vehicle. Many mechanics will give you a free inspection. You can find one on that website, ask them if they will check it out for free and tell you if you need repair, fluid change or not to worry about it. There are a lotgood mechanics out there that are fair and helpful.