The Puzzling Puddle (Leaks Under Vehicle)
August 15, 2021
Ever notice a little spot of liquid under your vehicle after you've parked in your driveway or garage? It may have been something as simple as water left from air conditioning condensation. But then again, it could be a sign that there's trouble brewing in one of your vehicle's systems.
You can help your service facility diagnose the problem by getting a little sample of the drip. At the same time, you may save yourself a tougher clean up task by preventing the leaky fluid from really messing up the driveway or garage floor. The first thing is to put something under the vehicle. A flattened out cardboard box will do fine. You may also want to slip a little disposable aluminum tray or pan under it to catch a bit of the fluid. Chroma and consistency can help a technician quickly figure out what kind of fluid you're dealing with. You can take your sample with you when you go to your service facility.
Also note how much of the substance is there over what period of time, when you started to notice it and its location relative to the vehicle. Is it on the passenger's or driver's side? Front, middle or back? Vehicle's have different designs, so where their equipment is located will depend on make and model.
The leaky fluid will have a certain look to it and consistency. If it's blue, it may be windshield washer fluid and a sign that your washer fluid tank has a leak. If it's green, it could be antifreeze. Orange may mean rusty water or transmission fluid. Brown? Might be oil.
There should be no leaks in your powertrain if things are maintained properly. A small leak may not seem like a big deal, but sometimes they can get much bigger quickly. A coolant leak, for example, may suddenly go from pinhole to flood, draining your cooling system and putting your engine in danger of overheating.
It is a really good idea to have a professional check out your leaks as soon as you notice them. And the more clues you can provide, the happier the technician will be as the search for the problem gets underway.
Courtesy Auto Repair Plus
967 Bon Air Ave
Tiffin, Ohio 44883
419-443-0797
http://www.courtesyautorepairplus.com
More articles from Courtesy Auto Repair Plus

No Fueling Around (Fuel Filter Replacement)
July 6, 2025
A driver called in to the shop the other day saying his European sports sedan had an odd problem. He was driving when his car started to slow down. Applying more throttle didn't help. He pulled over to the side of the road, shut the engine off and waited a few minutes before starting it up aga... More

Out of Joint (CV Joint and Boot Replacement)
June 29, 2025
If you have a front-wheel-drive vehicle, it has components called CV joints which enable you to turn your wheels smoothly. The CV stands for constant velocity. In essence, its a set of gears that connect a shaft that allows power from the transmission to be sent to the wheels. When you turn the ... More

The Edible Engine
June 22, 2025
You may have had a friend whose vehicle was the victim of hungry rodents. After all, mice, rats and squirrelseven rabbitshave been known to gnaw on wires in engine compartments, causing vehicle electrical systems to go haywire. They can disable a vehicle completely and be very expensive to fix.... More