# To fix or buy **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** chrysler, towncountry\ **Created:** [February 17, 2017, 10:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/to-fix-or-buy/100070 "2017-02-17T22:29:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Autiemom2177](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Autiemom2177](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Autiemom2177)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2017, 10:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/to-fix-or-buy/100070/1 "2017-02-17T22:29:39Z")
We have a 2005 Chrysler t and country with 180,000 miles on it. Today I noticed the brakes making a grinding sound sometimes when I brake. Then when I turned the car off I noticed a puddle of clear liquid under the car. Any idea what that might be? We have 4 severely autistic children and are hoping To not have to buy a new car right now due to stuff with the kids. Thanks in advance! ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2017, 10:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/to-fix-or-buy/100070/2 "2017-02-17T22:41:50Z")
Clear liquid?? Does it smell like gasoline? Is it a bit slimy and washed off easily with water? - brake fluid Grinding brakes are bad and need immediate attention as does a gas or brake fluid leak. Either fix it or stop driving it, the van is dangerous. I’d even suggest towing it in rather than driving it to a trusted independent mechanic, I am that concerned. I would not spend a ton of money on this van. It is near the end of its life. ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2017, 10:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/to-fix-or-buy/100070/3 "2017-02-17T22:41:55Z")
Having to get brakes repaired, or proactively maintained, is a normal expense. If they are making grinding noises it could be the pads are worn so far you are starting to get metal-to-metal contact. Can you discern if it’s a sound coming from the rear or the front? Clear liquid is most likely water dripping from the HVAC system - not a malfunction. ---
**Author:** ![Autiemom2177](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Autiemom2177](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Autiemom2177)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2017, 10:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/to-fix-or-buy/100070/4 "2017-02-17T22:44:17Z")
Sound is coming from the front. ---
**Author:** ![Autiemom2177](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Autiemom2177](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Autiemom2177)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2017, 10:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/to-fix-or-buy/100070/5 "2017-02-17T22:47:16Z")
The liquid was clear. The grinding just started today that I noticed and is intermittent. ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/2X/6/6fda0daaf9f7ad5dd31bcdc78012bdbcc4069bf9.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Waterbuff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f07891/32.png) [@Waterbuff](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Waterbuff)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2017, 11:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/to-fix-or-buy/100070/6 "2017-02-17T23:18:26Z")
There are two drip locations in the photo. Are they both new and both from the car being parked? Their smell and color and consistency can tell a lot. You said it was clear; did it smell like antifreeze? If these locations are from being parked, their location suggests that they are not connected to the sounds from the brake. Consider also asking (and searching) at this site: [http://forum.chryslerminivan.net/forumdisplay.php/30-3rd-Generation-Chrysler-Minivans-1996-2000](http://forum.chryslerminivan.net/forumdisplay.php/30-3rd-Generation-Chrysler-Minivans-1996-2000) And your TC might still have quite a bit of life left. ---
**Author:** ![Autiemom2177](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Autiemom2177](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Autiemom2177)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2017, 11:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/to-fix-or-buy/100070/7 "2017-02-17T23:24:48Z")
Both new, both once the car was parked and turned off. Both odorless. ---
**Author:** ![Autiemom2177](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Autiemom2177](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Autiemom2177)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2017, 11:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/to-fix-or-buy/100070/8 "2017-02-17T23:25:35Z")
It looked like water. That was the consistency. ---
**Author:** ![Autiemom2177](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Autiemom2177](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Autiemom2177)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2017, 11:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/to-fix-or-buy/100070/9 "2017-02-17T23:26:24Z")
And thank you! ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2017, 11:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/to-fix-or-buy/100070/10 "2017-02-17T23:28:52Z")
Is there someone there that can jack the front end of the vehicle up, put it on jackstands, and look underneath? It may be too late now, but with puddles one way to identify fluid puddles is to mop a bit up with a clean, dry cloth. Color shows up much better on white cloth, and color can be a clue. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2017, 11:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/to-fix-or-buy/100070/11 "2017-02-17T23:48:33Z")
There’s several possibilities for the dripping fluid, some innocuous, some needing immediate att’n. Suggest at a minimum to ask your shop or even just a gas station attendant (if such a thing exists where you live) to check the fluid in the cooling system, make sure it is full. And check the engine temperature gauge in the meantime, in your situation the last thing you want is an overheating incident. My guess --just a guess – is the leak is either associated with the A/C system drainage (normal thing) or the windshield washer pump has sprung a leak. I had that happen one time w/my Corolla, leak appeared just like that. You might not think you use the A/C this time of year (assuming you are in the temperate northern hemisphere), but but every time you turn on the defrost it turns on the A/C and the frost it removes turns to water and eventually drips out like that. Brakes can temporarily make noise when they get wet and rust forms. That will go away after half a dozen or dozen stops though. If it doesn’t, you’ll need a proper brake inspection done. ---
**Author:** ![Waterbuff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f07891/32.png) [@Waterbuff](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Waterbuff)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2017, 11:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/to-fix-or-buy/100070/12 "2017-02-17T23:50:39Z")
Does the liquid from both spots seem to be the same thing? ---
**Author:** ![Autiemom2177](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Autiemom2177](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Autiemom2177)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2017, 11:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/to-fix-or-buy/100070/13 "2017-02-17T23:54:54Z")
It does seem To be the same thing. I tried the cloth trick mentioned above but it was already dry. I will do that if it happens again. Thanks to all doe your input! ---
**Author:** ![Waterbuff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f07891/32.png) [@Waterbuff](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Waterbuff)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2017, 11:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/to-fix-or-buy/100070/14 "2017-02-17T23:56:56Z")
@GeorgeSanJose’s comments are good ones. The two liquid reservoirs that far forward are washer fluid and coolant. Check the level for both BEFORE starting the engine again. When checking the coolant level, do it after the engine has cooled down and include removing the radiator cap to see the level inside there. Don’t get burned by the cap or the liquid under it. ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2017, 3:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/to-fix-or-buy/100070/15 "2017-02-18T03:08:35Z")
The fact that the liquid dried up means that it is nor brake fluid, antifreeze, oil, or transmission fluid. Windshield washer fluid would also dry up but it would likely leave a colored stain. You likely need front pads and rotors. ---
**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2017, 3:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/to-fix-or-buy/100070/16 "2017-02-18T03:25:13Z")
Any precipitation lately? You may have clogged drains for the cowl area (where the windshield wipers are) that are overflowing. ---
**Author:** ![Autiemom2177](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Autiemom2177](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Autiemom2177)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2017, 12:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/to-fix-or-buy/100070/17 "2017-02-18T12:33:56Z")
We had rain early last week but otherwise we have been pretty good. ---
**Author:** ![tardrex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/34f0e0/32.png) [@tardrex](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tardrex)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2017, 2:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/to-fix-or-buy/100070/18 "2017-02-21T02:10:37Z")
yep, that was my first thought also, based on where the one puddle is it would seem that the window washer is leaking or a washer hose is leaking. if it stops leaking after a day or two it`s probably the window washer and the washer container is empty from the leak, that`s why it stopped leaking.