Car Leaking: How to Identify The Dripping Liquid And What to Do - ClickMechanic Blog (2024)

Car is leaking fluid – what to do

As a car owner, a puddle of strange liquid leaking from the car can be concerning. It’s not always cause for panic and if you do notice a liquid leaking from your car when parked, it is important to identify the source of the leak to determine the best course of action. Depending on the type of liquid, the leak could be something as simple as a loose connection or something more serious, like an oil or coolant leak.

In this article, we’ll cover the most common car leaks, how dangerous (or not) they are and what you should do about them.

Finding the source and observing the colour

The car’s fluids can leak for a number of reasons. A common cause is a hole or crack in the car’s system, which can allow the fluid to escape. Another possible cause is a loose connection that is not properly sealed, which can also cause a leak. Other common causes for a leak include a faulty radiator, a leak in the hoses, or a problem with the water pump.

Once you are able to confirm the leak is coming from your vehicle, one way to determine the colour is by sliding a piece of white paper or cloth under the vehicle to capture the leak. Doing this will give you an idea of where the leak could be originating from and the exact fluid that’s leaking.

Car leaking multicoloured liquid

A fuel leak is quite distinctive in nature – if it reminds you of the smell when filling up fuel at the station then it is likely petrol or diesel. Petrol and diesel are usually amber or clear but in certain lights, it can appear reflective and ‘multicoloured’.

If you notice fuel leaking from your car, it is important to take action immediately. Fuel leaking from a car can be dangerous and can cause a fire. If you see fuel leaking, turn off the engine and do not start it again until the leak has been fixed. A fuel leak can be caused by various reasons including a faulty fuel tank or damaged fuel lines which will need to be inspected and repaired as soon as possible.

Car leaking red liquid

​​Leaking red liquid from the car could be power steering fluid, brake fluid, or transmission fluid. If you see a puddle of red (sometimes pink) or brownish fluid on the ground under the passenger side then it is likely transmission fluid leaking. If it is reddish and has a sweet-burnt smell then it could be power steering fluid. Either way, it’s best to have a professional mechanic check the issue as soon as possible as continuing to drive on low fluids can be a safety hazard and catastrophic to the car parts.

Car leaking water

If you notice a clear odourless leak, then it is likely just water as a result of condensation which is a fairly common occurrence when using the AC. An air conditioner drains moisture from the passenger’s compartment via a drain hose under the vehicle which is generally located under the passenger’s footwell or just below the dashboard in the centre of the vehicle.

It’s usually nothing to worry about but if you do notice the leaks do not stop or if it’s an unusually large amount of water leaking then it’s best to get a professional mechanic to inspect the issue and get it fixed if needed.

Car leaking black/ brown fluid

Engine oil leaks are usually brownish in colour (or amber if recently changed) and will usually be coming from under the engine. If you’re confident that it’s an oil leak, it’s important not to drive a car low on oil – it can cause a lot of damage to the engine! If it’s a minor leak, ensure you keep an eye on the dipstick level and get the leak fixed as soon as possible. The best thing to do if it’s a major engine oil leak is to not drive the car and instead call a mechanic.

Keep in mind that brake fluid that is old or contaminated can also be brown in colour. If you notice the leak is brown but also slick then it is likely brake fluid and will need to be checked as soon as possible.

Car leaking yellow/ green fluid

If the fluid leaking is green or yellow in colour, it’s possible it is coolant or antifreeze. However, coolant comes in other colours such as blue, pink, purple and even orange. Different manufacturers recommend different ones – for example, most Honda cars will have a blueish-coloured coolant. With such a host of different coolant variants, it can be hard to pinpoint the type of fluid leak, however, another way to identify if it is coolant is to observe the smell (from a safe distance). If it has a sweetish smell it is likely a toxic chemical called ethylene glycol.

Coolant leaks can cause your car to overheat, and if left unchecked, can cause serious engine damage. The coolant may leak from the radiator, water pump or near the thermostat. DO NOT touch the radiator if the engine is still hot. Wait till the engine has cooled down completely before taking off the radiator cap to have a look at the coolant level.

If you notice the coolant level is low or completely empty due to the leak, it’s best not to drive the vehicle as it may overheat and cause even more damage. It’s best to call a mechanic and get it inspected and fixed before driving the car again.

This article will help you understand the different types of fluids that are present in a vehicle.

My car is leaking, should I get it checked by a mechanic?

Yes, if your car is leaking fluids, you should take it to a garage as soon as possible or get a mechanic to come to check it out. Leaks can be caused by many different issues, so it is best to have a professional diagnose and fix the problem. You can get a mobile mechanic to do an inspection at home via ClickMechanic.

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