Noticed a clearish oil leak towards the rear of my car. What do you all think this is? Diff fluid? Brake Fluid? Please advise...

Brake fluid?

Maybe from the rubber lines connecting the main steel lines to each brake calipers?

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2008 BMW 335i Coupe

Could be CV joint leakage also - check the CV boots for cracks. Originals are filled with heavy oil, while most replacements are grease packed.

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1976 240D
1987 560SL
2007 E320 Bluetec
1998 C280 (now son’s car)
1982 240D Manual - Sold

Sounds like brake fluid. Watch out for a failing part or line.
Also make sure its not a diesel line. I had one of my D-line corroded(and leak) and had to cut it and replace a portion with a rubber fuel line( Done by Benz dealer)

MVK

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One penny saved is three penny earned.

1985 300D Turbo 179,000miles

Check the master cylinder reservoir for low fluid, especially in the read half. If that isn't low the leak is probably diesel fuel. Have you looked underneath for the leak?

P E H

Looks like its coming from the diff casing or the right boot near it... I don't know....

Touch the stuff on the ground, see if it is oil or brake fluid or Diesel fuel. Try smelling it. I would be surprised if the differential fluid, or the CV joint fluid is clear (especially if it is from the older car), and if a noticeable amount of brake fluid leaked out you would see it in the reservoir level as already noted. If it seems like it is water, check the drains in the trunk and floor boards. They typically have a little rubber nipples on them that can fill up with debris and make draining a slow process. Good luck, Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

I called the dealer today, they seem to think its the axle boots. i think they may be right. They need replacing anyways....

Original CV joint oil is clear, and even after 20 years it has little discoloration. I dumped a whole load of it on the driveway once by taking a boot loose to see it if it was low on oil.

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1976 240D
1987 560SL
2007 E320 Bluetec
1998 C280 (now son’s car)
1982 240D Manual - Sold

If you have a leaking boot it will almost certainly be all over the underside of the car around the boot. When the boot spins a good deal of the oil goes to the outside of the boot and will leak out of what ever hole/crack it can find. If you don't see oil around the underside of the car near the boot it's likely coming from somewhere else.

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LRG
1987 300D Turbo 175K
2006 Toyota Prius, efficent but no soul
1985 300 TDT(130K miles of trouble free motoring)now sold

I disagree. My diff fluid is almost clear. Of course, it's get changed twice a year...

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1985 190D 2.2l Sold-to Brother-in-law
1996 Mustang 3.8l -"thinks it's a sports car"
1988 Grand Wagoneer - Sold (good home)
1995 Grand Cherokee Ltd -"What was I thinking??!!"

Please identify the fluid before you give someone permission to change something that might be the problem. I had a similar situation and never ever considered that the fluid was diesel fuel, but that's what it turned out to be. I had two fuel lines that had rusted through enough to allow diesel to seep out enough to leave a puddle on my garage floor. The bad fuel lines were under the rear trailing arm, so you really had to look to find it. Replaced it with a rubber fuel line and clamps and all has been well for over a year.

Len
'83 240D