Why is My Car Leaking Water?

If you’ve noticed your car leaking water in the parking lot or in your garage, it’s important to take a few minutes to investigate the cause. You’ll also need to make sure the leak is actually water, and not another automotive fluid like coolant. While many water leaks are harmless, water leaking from under a car could be due to a fluid reservoir leak or a more serious issue. In the guide below from the Crown Buick GMC service center, learn how to identify the cause of water leaking from under your car, and when to schedule service in New Orleans.

Identify the Cause of the Leak

What looks like water leaking from under a car could very well be another automotive fluid, so you’ll need to investigate to find out. Here’s what you need to know:

• Place a clean, white sheet of paper under the leak. When the fluid drips onto the paper, you’ll be able to see the color clearly. If it’s blue, yellow, or green, your car is leaking coolant. To confirm this, check your vehicle’s coolant reservoir level. If the level is low, you can order coolant online or visit our certified service center near Slidell or Kenner.
• Keep in mind that some water leaks are harmless. Sometimes, normal condensation in the air conditioning and engine systems causes water to drip from your car’s tailpipe.
• A blown gasket may be causing your exhaust pipe leak. If the leaking water is accompanied by white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe, the cause may be a blown gasket. Get your car checked out by a technician as soon as possible, as a blown gasket can cause coolant to burn along with your car’s fuel.
• Water leaking near the front tires may be windshield wiper fluid. If the liquid is coming from this location and is blue when you check the color, it’s windshield wiper fluid. This can happen in cold weather when windshield wiper fluid freezes and cracks the fluid reservoir as it expands.

• When in doubt, schedule service! If your car is leaking water and you can’t determine the reason, don’t ignore it. Schedule an appointment at a certified service center near Laplace.

What Fluid is Leaking From My Car?

While that might look like water leaking from under your car, it could be any of the other automotive fluids inside your vehicle. So is your car leaking water — or another fluid like coolant? Hold a clean sheet of paper under the leak, and the color of the liquid should tell you what you need to know about the leak:

• 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

Schedule Certified Buick GMC Auto Service in Metairie

If there’s water leaking from under your car or you think your car has a fluid reservoir leak, contact the auto experts at Crown Buick GMC. We’re happy to do what we can over the phone or assist you at your service center near Marrero. Contact us and learn more!