My Car’s Leaking Water. What Should I Do?

If you find water leaking from under your car after it’s been parked for a bit in Old Saybrook, it’s usually not an emergency. Typically, if a car’s leaking water in small puddles near the rear of the car it’s condensation from running the air conditioner. Exhaust condensation near the tailpipe can also be a source of water leaking from under a car. That should stop when the muffler warms up. While these are harmless reasons for your car to leak water, it can also be a sign of more serious problems. Keep reading to find out more about what it means to find water leaking from under your car, or stop by the service department at Westbrook Toyota. 

What Fluid is Leaking from My Car?

The first thing you should do if you suspect your car is leaking water is place a piece of white paper on the leak and see if the fluid is definitely water or something else. Here’s a guide for Clinton drivers to be able to tell what the leaking fluid might be: 

• 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

Possible Causes of Car Leaking Water 

Here are some ways Madison drivers can find out where the leak originated:

• • Make sure what you’re seeing is water. Place a piece of white paper under the leak. If the liquid is blue, green, or yellow, you probably have a coolant leak, not water. 
  • Check coolant level. Even if the liquid on the paper is clear, there still might be coolant issues. If your coolant is low and it shouldn’t be, bring it in for service. 

• Determine if it’s a blown gasket. There will be a more substantial amount of water. White smoke will accompany the water coming out of the exhaust pipe. 

• Check the windshield wiper fluid. If there’s a crack in your windshield wiper fluid reservoir, it can look like water leaking from under your car. The reservoir can crack if the fluid freezes and expands during cold weather. Wiper fluid is usually light blue or light green and will leak by the front tires. 

Save Money on Car Service at Westbrook Toyota

It’s always smart to get a second opinion on why there’s water leaking from under your car, and Westbrook Toyota’s service center is here to help. Contact us with your car leaking water questions. Or schedule an appointment and take a look at our service specials to save money on your visit.