Hi again group,

I didn't want to address this cause it kinda went away, but during the last three months I would have a leak that would drip to the garage floor. This would drip at random and small in quantity, like a dime to quarter size. It wouldn't do it for a week then for one or two days then stop. I went to one of those minute lube places just to have them give me a visual and the goof says it's the transmission lines, and then says no, it's the oil pan. I know what oil and trans fluids look and feel like. I really didn't have time to take it to the inde/import shop.
Now that the 98 Ml 320 is getting the rear end(?) fixed at the inde I can see the garage floor. The two latest spots from two weeks ago evaporated,as well as the others from Feb and March. The fluid was kind of clear. What fluid would do this? It looked like oil, but left clear rings on the floor. Is this the MB antifeeze? I suppose I should have a thorough check now that it's in the shop. All the fluid levels are good.
Thanks in advance for any input,

Kevin

Antifeeze would be my guess. I've heard of the lower hose leaking sometimes. My 2 cents.

I think you're right! I'll have to put it up on the ramps to get a much better look. I wanted to hear from the pros of this group. Does any other store bought antifreez have the same properties as the MB antifreez.

If it is evaporating, and leaves no residue, it could also be washer fluid, leaking from the tank and / pump lines. Depending on what type of fluid you use, the color varies. Unless you had new synthetic power steering or brake fluid put in very recently, I cannot imagine what else would be clear

Now that you mentioned it I had the steering rack replaced in Dec. But, steering fluid doesn't evaporate, does it?

No, power steering fluid doesn't evaporate.

Use MB fluid or Zerez G-05. NOTHING ELSE!!!

http://www.valvoline.com/pages/products/category.asp?cid=2

The properties of this fluid is as follows: appears to look like an automotive lubricant, clear at times(possibly mixed with road grime other times), but after days/weeks of sitting on the concrete floor it evaporates and leaves a clear ring.

I'm fully aware steering fluid doesn't evaporate, and it's not windsheild fluid as it's right under the engine block.

it is most likely coolant, leaking from the lower radiator hose. just tighten the hose a little bit, a quarter to half turn on the ring clamp will do. if the lower radiator hose looks clean, check your water pump, it could be leaking through the weep hole. did you ever replace the water pump on your truck?

__________________
98 ML320 (gone but not forgotten)

I still think it may be power steering fluid. If it takes "days / weeks" to "evaporate", it is probably not evaporating at all, but more likely sinking into the concrete (unless the concrete is sealed, any lubricant will eventually sink in). Nothing else should take that long to evaporate. If you had coolant leaking on the engine, you would probably smell it burning / steaming off.

All the above ideas are great and are to be explored. The antifreeze odor hasn't been detected.
The water pump has never been replaced that I know of.