OK so had a mate drive my car 30 kms into town. He flogged it a bit noticed the temp gauge go up about half way then got to a mates place and noticed the engine bay was sprayed in a brown substance everywhere. Checked power steering fluid that was low so topped her up and my mates were like its your power steering pump leaking somewhere so we went to a car wash degreased the engine and took her out for a bit again.. mates arejust like this is way above a stock standard ef xr6 its had a few mods. They were saying the cams been upgraded. Well got back to a mates checked again and theres more spray everywhere. Wiped a bit on my finger and its brown. Is it an oil leak somewhere? Checked the power steer8ng fluid and it has used a little bit but not even a quarter of it.. first impression has head gasket but mate said its fine because if the head had problems itwouldnt have as much power as it does. Am I better off going to a proper mechanic or just getting the PS pump replaced. Sorry if I sound like a newbie but just wanna be sure. This car is my baby love it to bits. Even my mates where shocked at the power and performace she had they actually saiddl theres no way its stock standard its a phreak. Can someone help me out please? Gave her like a 70 km run the other day and she ate though over half a tank of coolant. Also havent got a gasket on the manifold where it connects to the cat. Just trying to be specific so you guys can help me as much as possible.. love this car to bits.

They also said couldnt be a stuffed head gasket because of yhr power she had.. so would really like opinons on what it could be.. cheers guys

sounds like you could have a head gasket let go, cars are not ment to go through coolant like that.

Ignore your mates, find a mechanic, get him to give it a check over and spend the extra coin and ask him to show you what he is looking for and what you can look for.

Most good mechanics will be happy to spend a bit of time with you when you spend with them to teach you some basics. That way you know what basic maintenance is, when to do it and how to do it correctly. you will also know when something is wrong that needs a mechanics attention. Its always cheaper to maintain than it is to repair, but without some basic skills, stuff just gets replaced when it breaks.

Yeah thinking its mechanic time.. no way it should eat through that much coolant.
Just got the car home and couldn't check it because the tank was empty only had water in the pipe.

Undid the oil cap and checked the colour and its a light browny colour.
Oil dipstick said full. Its a manual so not sure. where would i find it?

Haven't seen any white smoke.

Yep, i'll be doing that and probably time to find new mates instead of d**kheads.Yep shes definatley going to a mechanic. Will upload some photos of engine bay and bonnet

Had a look at the power steering pump and they didn't put the cap on properly wasn't screwed on.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/2qntl7396r4pm ... 154919.jpg

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6w1d4x41sreh9 ... 154922.jpg

https://www.dropbox.com/s/0i46ecjzja8ny ... 154925.jpg

https://www.dropbox.com/s/zs4h8efd6zjgd ... 154958.jpg

https://www.dropbox.com/s/kmrnsp4tw67gw ... 155108.jpg

Is the"Substance" Oily? What does it smell of? Is there liquid in the tray below the front of the engine?

Yeah its oily, doesnt seem to have a smell to it. Yeah theres liquid down there.

Check your waterpump as well as the front seal on your Powere steering pump.

Will do. Thanks mate.

Buy a few cans of brake cleaner, remove all oil from effected areas, then wipe down with rags. stick a sheet of cardboard underneath car then start car and watch for oil. Im guessing it'll be the front seal on the power steering pump or main seal on engine.

Goodluck