Identifying If Your Car Has Fluid Leaks
Published by Everette Jamison in Cars and Trucks, 1 month 2 weeks 6 days 23 hours 37 minutes 29 seconds ago
If your car is leaking fluid, you should devote the time necessary to identify where it is coming from. Any fluids that you notice running from underneath your vehicle could imply that there's an issue with a major part or system. Or, it may be nothing serious. There's simply no way to tell for certain without determining the source. The problem is that there are many types of fluids that can leak. If you don't know what you're looking at, it's impossible to recognize potential issues under the hood. Below, I've give you a quick primer for identifying your car's fluid leaks.
Engine Oil
If the fluid looks brown (it can be light or dark-colored), it's probably engine oil. The oil in your engine endures significant heat while it lubricates the moving parts. Over time, it's not uncommon for the seals and gaskets to wear down and develop leaks. When that happens, the oil can drip from them. If you notice engine oil leaking, have your mechanic take a look to make sure it's not a serious problem. If the leak if from a weakened gasket, replace it.
Transmission Fluid Transmission fluid usually has a red tint to it. If you notice red fluid on the ground, look under your car to identify the drop point. If the transmission is leaking, the drop point will be near the center of your vehicle. Sometimes, this is caused by a transmission seal that has weakened. Other times, a gasket may have deteriorated. In either case, have it checked out.
Brake Fluid
If you've just added brake fluid in your car, the leak will seem clear with a yellow hue. If the fluid is old, it will look brown. It changes color over time due to contaminants, dust, and rust that collect within it. Plus, brake fluid absorbs water which can also affect its color. As with most fluid leaks, have a mechanic take a look at your brake system. The leak may not suggest a serious problem. But, it's better to be safe.
Playing Detective There are other fluids that you might see under your car, including coolant (it's usually multi-colored). However, you'll likely only see coolant leaks if your car is old because newer models can capture it before it drips. That said, if you see it on the ground, there could be an issue, so you should have checked out by a trained technician quickly.
One last tip: don't rely upon what you see on your driveway. Most of the time, you'll need to clearly see the color of the fluids to identify their source. Use a piece of white cardboard or aluminum foil to catch the leak. That will help preserve the fluid's color so you can identify it more easily.
Engine Oil
If the fluid looks brown (it can be light or dark-colored), it's probably engine oil. The oil in your engine endures significant heat while it lubricates the moving parts. Over time, it's not uncommon for the seals and gaskets to wear down and develop leaks. When that happens, the oil can drip from them. If you notice engine oil leaking, have your mechanic take a look to make sure it's not a serious problem. If the leak if from a weakened gasket, replace it.
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Transmission Fluid Transmission fluid usually has a red tint to it. If you notice red fluid on the ground, look under your car to identify the drop point. If the transmission is leaking, the drop point will be near the center of your vehicle. Sometimes, this is caused by a transmission seal that has weakened. Other times, a gasket may have deteriorated. In either case, have it checked out.
Brake Fluid
If you've just added brake fluid in your car, the leak will seem clear with a yellow hue. If the fluid is old, it will look brown. It changes color over time due to contaminants, dust, and rust that collect within it. Plus, brake fluid absorbs water which can also affect its color. As with most fluid leaks, have a mechanic take a look at your brake system. The leak may not suggest a serious problem. But, it's better to be safe.
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Playing Detective There are other fluids that you might see under your car, including coolant (it's usually multi-colored). However, you'll likely only see coolant leaks if your car is old because newer models can capture it before it drips. That said, if you see it on the ground, there could be an issue, so you should have checked out by a trained technician quickly.
One last tip: don't rely upon what you see on your driveway. Most of the time, you'll need to clearly see the color of the fluids to identify their source. Use a piece of white cardboard or aluminum foil to catch the leak. That will help preserve the fluid's color so you can identify it more easily.
About Everette Jamison
Find your used auto parts and used engines from the leader in parts, http://www.everdrive.com
Resources
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