No expert here but did you say the fluid is red? ATF is red, and the SLS system shouldn't have ATF in it.

Now my limited memory of SLS lines has them over the RHS of the engine (that would be passenger side to you guys) well out of the way of the cross member. However the ATF lines are in that area somewhere.

Are you able to post pics? They would help a lot.

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1978 300D, 373,000km 617.912, 711.113 5 speed, 7.5mm superpump, HX30W turbo...many, many years in the making....
1977 280> 300D - 500,000km+ (to be sold...)
1984 240TD>300TD 121,000 miles, *gone*
1977 250 parts car
1988 Toyota Corona 2.0D *gone*
1975 FJ45>HJ45
1981 200>240D (to be sold...)
1999 Hyundai Lantra 1.6 *gone*
1980s Lansing Bagnall FOER 5.2 Forklift (the Mk2 engine hoist)
2001 Holden Rodeo 4JB1T 2WD