Err...strange clear oily liquid leaking from front of Transmission (not trans fluid)

[golden1245]

Sorry for all the transmission questions...I drove my car around today and then got under it to do some preliminary research on the ATF change.

I then i noticed this strange clear yellowish fluid leaking onto the floor, from the front of the transmission (is that the torque converter)? It was not dark, but a clear fluid, almost like water but slightly slick and oily, slowly dripping 2-3 times. I took a couple pictures so you could see:

Does anyone know what this is and if it is a serious problem? I'm about to spend $800-1000 overhauling certain parts of the car, but if this is early signs of a transmission failure or something very serious, I'm not sure if I want to proceed...

Thank you in advance for reading, it's much appreciated since the American benz forums are not very helpful.

 

[markjay]

Sounds like coolant dripping off the back of the engine... does you car have the yellow or green coolant?

 

[BlackC55]

It does look like coolant. Does it taste sweet?

 

[Nasco12]

When I had coolant popping up in about the same place it turned out to be the head gasket. Diagnosed and repaired by PCS but still very expensive.

 

[golden1245]

taste sweet? um..should I rub a bit of it off the ground and put it on my tongue? I could try that if that's what you mean.

head gasket...that sounds really really expensive, i thought the c230k's were quite reliable in terms of stuff like that.

 

[markjay]

It could be just a split hose or leaking joint... needs to be diagnosed.