Why is My Car Leaking Water?

When your car is leaking water, chances are it might not be a serious issue. You can see some small puddles of water near the back of the engine compartment when you have the air conditioning on. This is normal as the system creates condensation. Even if there’s water near the tailpipe, it is usually exhaust condensation, and that will go away after your muffler warms up. Still, leaking fluids can be a sign of a bigger problem. Learn more about how you can identify the cause and what fluid is coming out of your car below from the Sonia’s CDJR’s service team. 

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Identifying the Cause of Leaking Water

Do these steps to see the cause of your car leaking water: 

  1. Place a sheet of paper under the leak. If the fluid is something other than water, the color will show up on the paper. If it's blue, green, or yellow, it's probably coolant– not water.
  2. If more than a small amount of water is coming from your exhaust, a blown gasket may be causing coolant to be burned along with the fuel. That will result in large amounts of water and white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe.
  3. While coolant is usually easy to recognize due to its color, you can always check the level to make sure. If it's low, you'll want to bring your car to a certified service center quickly.
  4. It's possible the leak is coming from a cracked windshield wiper fluid reservoir. That can be caused by using water in your windshield wiper fluid. The water freezes in the reservoir, expanding and causing the plastic container to crack. You can tell it's windshield wiper fluid by its light blue or light green color. Wiper fluid leaks can usually be found by the front tires.

What Fluid is Leaking from My Car?

If you place a sheet of paper under your vehicle and the leaking fluid isn't clear, it's not water. So what is it then? Use our color guide below to find out what it is: 

  • 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 Service at Sonia’s CDJR 

We are conveniently located in Orange, MA, so if you suspect your car is leaking water due to reasons besides normal condensation, schedule your appointment today. In the meantime, learn more about car care regarding fluids, such as why your car battery is leaking and how to check the brake fluid.