Why is My Car Leaking Water?

If you notice water leaking from under your car, you may begin to panic. While leaking fluids aren’t always the best thing to spot, in many cases, a car leaking water isn’t a serious problem. Your car’s air conditioner creates condensation when it’s activated. As a result, it’s normal to see puddles of water near the back of your engine compartment. Along with that, the water found near your tailpipe is often condensation from the exhaust that will go away once the muffler warms up. While this is great news, there are situations where leaking fluids can be indicative of a major mechanical problem. Review our tips and tricks below to get a closer look at why fluids or water are leaking from under your car.

Identifying the Cause of a Car Leaking Water

Is your car leaking water? Follow these simple steps to get to the bottom of it:

• Place a sheet of clean white paper under the leak. If the leak is something other than water, you’ll be able to tell right away. If the leak is blue, green, or yellow, it’s likely coolant.
• If your car is leaking water in significant amounts, you may have a blown gasket that’s causing coolant to be burned with the fuel. This will lead to white smoke and lots of water coming out of your tailpipe.
• You can usually tell if you’re leaking coolant due to the color. However, you can also check the coolant reservoir to see if you’re unusually low. If so, visit us in Crete for service right away or visit your nearest Ford service center.
• Another possibility is that your car is leaking water due to a crack in the windshield wiper fluid reservoir. This can happen when you mix water with your windshield wiper fluid. The water can freeze during your commute from Lincoln to Seward, which can cause cracks from the expansion. You’ll find leaking windshield wiper fluid near the front tires and it can be distinguished by its light blue or green color.

What Fluid is Leaking from My Car?

If water is leaking from under your car, it will show up as clear when you do the sheet of paper test. If not, the following color guide will help you determine what type of fluid is leaking from your vehicle:

• Red – Transmission Fluid or Power Steering Fluid
• Orange – Transmission Fluid or Radiator Coolant
• Yellow – Radiator Coolant
• Green – Antifreeze from Water Pump, Hoses, or Radiator
• Blue – Windshield Wiper Fluid
• Dark Brown – Brake Fluid or Older Engine Oil
• Light Brown – Newer Engine Oil or Gear Lubricant
• Pink – Power Steering Fluid or Transmission Fluid

Visit Sid Dillon Ford Crete for Service

Now that you have a better understanding of fluid leaks, you can keep your Omaha ride in tip-top shape. Along with fluid issues, our team can provide insights on how often to rotate your tires and even how to bleed brakes! You can rely on Sid Dillon Ford Crete to provide guidance and support for all of your automotive issues!