Pontiac Repair: 2003 Montana Automatic Level Control, rear shocks, air shock

Question
Recently, after using my inflator system on my Montana, the system shut down with a hissing sound and I later found some fluid beneath the car coming the rear left. While it looked like brake fluid or a light oil, I have no problems with the brakes. Does the ALC system have oil in it, and does it ever leak? More importantly, is this an immediate safety concern?

Answer
Hi David:

was the oil coming out of the Level compressor or in that general area? If so it's passable that the oil from one of the rear shocks may have leaked into the air supply line to the shocks. This is highly unusual But I guess it can happen in rare instances. My guess it that may be what happened here. Especially if the old compressor was completely in-op and you were driving around with no air shock support to the rear shocks it may have ruptured a seal in one of the shocks. when the compressor vented some air out of the system the oil vented with it. This is just a guess as to what happened. Without seeing it it's hard to say exactly way leaked and if it's a safety concern. If it is shock oil it will not mix with water dump a bit of water on the oil spot if the oil beads up it indeed oil on the ground. if you put water on it and it turns a milky white and looks like it mixes up it's brake fluid on the ground. That is a quick test.  If it's brake fluid do not drive the van it's a safety issue it's it's oil It is indeed from the shocks and it's not an immediate safety concern. Good luck hope that helps and it's a quick chemistry lesson as well. :)