Any of the many fluids in your car can cause a leak, and some leaks are more serious than others.
Read on and find out which fluid is leaking from your car, what the most common leak is and how much you can expect to pay to repair a leak.
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Which Fluid Is Leaking From My Car?
If you think that fluid is leaking from your car, be sure to check that the leak isn’t coming from a vehicle that was parked in the same spot before you.
Look underneath your car with a torch – if your car is dripping, then you could have a leak.
You can also slide a piece of white cardboard under your car and let fluid drop onto it to determine the colour.
If you aren’t sure which fluid is leaking from your car, there are a few things you can do to work this out:
- Identify the location of the leak
- Inspect the colour and consistency
- Identify the smell
These checks can help you to work out which of the following fluids is leaking from your car.
Coolant Leak
A coolant leak may be pink, yellow or green.
Coolant can leak for any of the following reasons:
- Cracks in the radiator hose
- Blown radiator
- Damaged head gasket
- Holes in the radiator
- Broken or missing radiator cap
Driving with an engine coolant leak can cause serious damage to your vehicle, so you should not drive until you’ve had the leak fixed.
Engine Oil Leak
A brown, amber or black liquid under your car that feels slick is likely to be engine oil.
Any engine oil leaks should be investigated by a professional mechanic, and can be caused by any of the following:
- Overfilled oil
- Bad gasket
- Broken seals
If your engine is about to break, you won’t get any warning signs.
An oil leak can signal that there is a serious issue with your car, so you should not drive until the leak is fixed.
To check if you have an oil leak in your car, you should inspect your oil level regularly.
If it is dropping even when you’re not using the car, then you could have a leak.
You should also check under the bonnet, checking the front, back and sides of the engine for any wet spots.
Oil is sticking, meaning it will run down the side of the engine and drip at the lowest point.
You can look around the engine edges or undertray for any shiny wet spots.
Please note that if oil is dropping but there is no leak after driving or parking, then it could be entering the combustion chamber or water system.
You may notice blue exhaust smoke or a yellow substance in the coolant if so.
Fuel Leak
Your car could be leaking petrol or diesel if you notice a brown puddle underneath that looks multi-coloured when the light hits.
You will likely smell petrol or diesel if there is a leak, too.
Petrol can leak if you have just topped up on a hot day, as the liquid or vapour can leak through the fuel tank breather.
It can also leak if you park on a steep hill with a full tank of petrol, or if there is a hole in the fuel tank.
If neither of these are the cause, you should have the leak investigated as soon as possible.
You should not drive your car until a leak of this nature is fixed, as leaking petrol can be a fire hazard.
Water Leak
If your car is leaking clear water and has air conditioning, then this could just be condensation from the system.
This can look like a serious leak, especially if you’re driving on a hot day when lots of condensation will be produced.
That being said, if there is no colour in the fluid, you probably don’t need to worry.
It could also be exhaust condensation.
If you have noticed a great deal of water leaking without an obvious cause, you should have this checked out by a professional mechanic.
There could be an issue with the cooling system or water pump which needs to be addressed.
Transmission Fluid Leak
If your car is leaking a red fluid in the middle or front of your vehicle, this is likely a transmission fluid leak.
Transmission fluid is typically red, but can turn brown with age - meaning the fluid is breaking down and needs to be replaced.
You should not drive if you think you’ve sprung a transmission fluid leak, as this can cause further damage.
Transmission fluid leaks can be the result of high temperature wear and tear causing the pan seals to break over time.
The problem could also be failing gaskets or general wear and tear.
You will likely need to have your car towed to a garage so that a professional mechanic can inspect it.
Power Steering Fluid Leak
A red or brown fluid leak can be a power steering fluid leak.
You may smell something sweet but slightly burnt if this is the case.
A problem with the hoses or tubing could be to blame.
If you suspect you have a power steering fluid leak, you should check your fluid levels to see how low you’re running.
Continuing to drive with low power steering fluid can cause lasting damage, so you should not drive until the issue is fixed.
Why Is My Car Leaking?
Car leaks are usually the result of wear and tear, such as degraded engine gaskets or oil seals.
Old or dirty oil may also be to blame.
A technician will be able to identify the source and fix the leak for you.
What Is the Most Common Leak in a Car?
Of all the automotive fluid leaks, engine oil leaks are the most common.
This is due to the number of seals and gaskets located all around the engine bay, meaning oil can leak from several points.
Are Car Leaks Expensive to Fix?
The cost to repair a car leak can vary depending on the leak in question.
A car leak is likely to cost at least £70 to repair.
Should I Be Worried If My Car Is Leaking?
Certain leaks – such as water leaking near the back of the vehicle – may be normal.
Other leaks, like a coolant or engine oil leak, need to be fixed right away to avoid causing excessive damage.
Is a Car Leak Covered By My Warranty?
If your car is less than 3 years old, most car dealers will offer a basic or bumper to bumper warranty that covers leaks.
If your vehicle is older than this, you may need to pay to repair the leak.
Can You Drive with a Leak?
In most cases, you should not drive with a leak.
This is because a leak can signal that there are other more serious issues affecting your vehicle which need to be addressed by a skilled mechanic.
If you are unable to determine the type of fluid leaking from your car – or the leak is more significant – then you should book an appointment at a garage right away.
