Pulling out of the driveway or away from a parking spot only to find evidence of your car leaking can be disconcerting. Is it oil? Could it be transmission fluid? Oh no… what could it be? The leak may simply be water from the air conditioning. Whatever the cause of the leak, it is critical to identify the liquid and the source in order to get repairs done quickly and avoid future problems that can become more serious.
While you may not always have the expertise to fix every little leak that develops on your vehicle, you can certainly brush up on your knowledge of vehicle fluids and use the following tips to identify the mystery substance in order to get an idea of the source of the like. Once you are aware that there is an actual problem, you should bring your vehicle to a certified professional ASE mechanic where your car can receive the attention that it needs.
Identifying Coolant and Antifreeze Leaks
Coolant and Antifreeze are actually the most common liquids to leak from the engine. The colors of these liquids can actually vary according to the vehicle. However, the most common colors include blue and green or purple and pink. The easiest way to identify these liquids is to use your sense of smell. These fluids always have a sweet odor to them. They can appear at many different points on the undercarriage. Leaks of this kind can also have serious consequences rather quickly. The radiator can become damaged, and a car may overheat or fail to start in cold conditions. This fluid is also extremely toxic to living creatures. It is irresponsible to continue to allow this fluid to leak on concrete or into soil where it can cause harm to pets, people, and other animals in the area.
Possible Oil Leakage
Oil is the second most common vital fluid to cause problems. It is typically brown in color and produces wet spots directly under the engine. Oil leaks must be repaired quickly in order to prevent damage that can be fatal to the engine. A lack of oil can cause the engine to throw a rod, completely lock down, or cause damage to gears and other parts that is not reversible. Oil leaks are typically easy to repair, commonly occurring due to some of the following problems. Oil gaskets can dry up or become worn, resulting in a leak. Oil filters that are not properly installed can often be a problem as well. Additionally, mechanics will check on oil-pressure levels, faulty oil plugs, and oil coolant lines that have been corroded. These types of leaks are most common on vehicles that are older or have higher mileage.
Transmission Leak
Transmission fluid will always have a red appearance, representing another potentially major problem for your vehicle’s engine. Without this fluid, the vehicle will be unable to change gears and operate in a normal fashion without causing damage to the transmission and other integrated systems. These leaks typically occur near the front or middle of the car. If the problem is ignored for an extended period of time, the transmission can be completely destroyed. Replacing a transmission on a European vehicle can be costly… a much larger dollar amount than actually having the leak taken care of as preventative maintenance.
Checking for a Power Steering Fluid Problem
Power Steering fluid is what allows you to turn the wheels of your car with very little effort. When this fluid is not present, turning the vehicle can take a considerable amount of muscle, increasing the probability of accidents and decreasing your ability to react to obstacles on the road. This fluid has a medium consistency along with a yellow color. Power steering systems are typically located in the front of most vehicle, resulting in leaks that occur near the hood. The faulty components responsible for the problem can include hoses, the steering pump, or the power-steering reservoir. Leaks of this kind are typically easy to fix when you catch the problem early.
Contact Desert Oasis European Auto Repair and Service today at (702) 255-4090 when you need repairs after finding your car leaking fluid.
