reddish fluid leaking on top of engine

[Outback Texan]

SEE PHOTOS... 2022 Badlands... small reddish fluid puddles on top of engine.

I had a new battery installed today, and the tech removed the air filter housing to make the job easier. He showed me the small puddles of reddish fluid on top of the engine under that housing. It appears to be coming from a point (end of arrow on photos) where a small hose attaches to the top of the engine. That hose is about 1/4 inch in diameter, 8 to 10 inches long and is not attached to anything on the other end... just an open ended plastic hose. Any idea what that "go nowhere" hose is? What that fluid is?

 

[Dude]

Verrry interesting… pic shamelessly taken from a recent Major Kong post

 

[V8 Yankee]

Verrry interesting indeed. That is obviously transmission fluid. The vent fitting needs replaced or tightened somehow. Your vent is different from my 21 vent. I have a plasitic pear shaped fitting (see photo) with a removable cap that works as a vent and can be removed to fill trans fluid (think drain and fill). I wouldn't worry about it other than the fact it is creating a mess and the amount of loss in negligible. I would replace it with the more useful type of vent, like mine.

https://parts.petrieford.com/p/Ford_2023_Bronco-Sport/Vent-Assy/141667605/K2GZ-7034-G.html

 

[MDTX27]

Verrry interesting indeed. That is obviously transmission fluid. The vent fitting needs replaced or tightened somehow. Your vent is different from my 21 vent. I have a plasitic pear shaped fitting (see photo) with a removable cap that works as a vent and can be removed to fill trans fluid (think drain and fill). I wouldn't worry about it other than the fact it is creating a mess and the amount of loss in negligible. I would replace it with the more useful type of vent, like mine.

https://parts.petrieford.com/p/Ford_2023_Bronco-Sport/Vent-Assy/141667605/K2GZ-7034-G.html

Can confirm. Noticed the same thing on my Badlands last year and took it to the dealership to be safe. It was nothing but excess transmission fluid that had come out of the vent and collected on top.

 

[Dude]

Can confirm. Noticed the same thing on my Badlands last year and took it to the dealership to be safe. It was nothing but excess transmission fluid that had come out of the vent and collected on top.

@MDTX27 is yours a ‘21 or ‘22 Badlands?

 

[MDTX27]

@MDTX27 is yours a ‘21 or ‘22 Badlands?

Had a 22 that got totaled around 40k miles after being rear ended. Now I’m in a 23 badlands. Haven’t noticed any fluid up top but then again I’m only at 11k miles.

 

[MedTech]

My '21 BB had the same exact thing when I changed the battery. Dealer stated the transmission was probably over-filled from the factory. They cleaned it up a few months ago, haven't removed the air cleaner lately to check for any more but probably will before the next oil change.

 

[rootdoc]

Verrry interesting… pic shamelessly taken from a recent Major Kong post

...but stupid. Rowan and Martin's Laugh-in, such a great show.