Identify Leaks in your Car

3 Parts:

Identify Leaks in your Car

Unravel the Mysterious Leaks in Your Car

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Do you often see car oil spewed in your driveway or on your garage floor? Have you left your mark at your parking spot at work? If this is the case with you, it seems you may have a car leak that you need to look, for and repair. Leaks should be addressed immediately. If left for too long, you might end up with a way more serious problem than the initial leak. The steps below will guide you through the steps of identifying and finding a leak in your car.

How can you identify the leaks? What fluid is leaking? What is causing the leak? To find out all these things, you'll need to use your sense of smell as well as your visual skills to find the leak, or leaks in your car.

1. 1
   If you see puddles under your car, you probably have a leak

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   You should start looking for the source immediately, especially if it a puddle appears consistently, wherever you park. It's not always easy to determine where or which one exactly is leaking, but there are many tricks you can use.

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2. 2
   You should always check your car engine bay

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   If it's dirty, look there, as dirt can cause leaks.

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3. 3
   Some leaks only occur when the engine is running

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4. 4
   Drain Plug

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   this is one of the parts that frequently springs leaks. The drain plug may be loose or faulty and (sump oil) engine oil may leak from it. You have to check this

   

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5. 5
   Base Filter Oil

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   you must also check the oil from the base filter.

   

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6. 6
   Gearbox Oil

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   you have to check your gearbox, as fluid might be leaking form here. Check the seals at the inboard end of the drive shaft.

   

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7. 7
   Antifreeze

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   When antifreeze leaks, it usually leaves crystalline deposit, something similar to the picture below

   

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8. 8
   Brake Fluid

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   This is a leak that usually occurs at the wheel.

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9. 9
   Power Steering Fluid

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   this can leak from the pipe connectors on the steering rack. Check your pipes.

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If you have spotted a puddle of fluid below your car, you should not just sit back and relax. The sight you have seen is enough reason for you to worry; at least until you know what's causing it. Brushing it off and assuming it was just spilled water might lead to displeasing circumstances once you get back in your ride. Fluids are used to ensure the smooth functioning of your car's engines, and moving parts, and it doesn't matter how well-made your car is, they are all susceptible to leaks.

No matter how healthy your engine is, the normal wear and tear of your car makes the leaking problem normal and typical. Nevertheless, the leaking problem needs immediate resolution to avoid potential mishaps. To arrive at the most effective resolution for your car's leaking problem, identifying the mysterious puddle is the first step. The color, texture and smell of the fluid in the leak are your clues to pinpointing the identity or type of the fluid that's leaking from your car.

1. 1
   Coolant

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   The antifreeze fluid in your car is usually a greenish color, although sometimes it can be bright orange and pink hues. Its sticky, viscous texture is another determining factor for unraveling its identity. Although a coolant leak is common and non-alarming, fixing this problem should still not be taken for granted. This antifreeze is necessary to regulate the temperature in your engine. If you run out of coolant, due to leaking, it could lead to the overheating of your car. Car owners with pets in their homes should also make an extra effort to fix the leak immediately. The coolant's sweet smell and taste can be attractive bait for your pets, but this fluid is highly toxic to animals and humans. Once you've identified the leak is the coolant fluid, you should check the areas prone to coolant leaking, such as heater hoses, the radiator and engine core plugs.

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2. 2
   Gasoline

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   Gasoline leaks are easy to identify because of the distinguishable smell of gas. Though the odds are rare, fire and explosions are still a possible outcome of a gas leak. Frequent and unresolved gas leaks could skyrocket your fuel expenses. Your gas tanks, fuel lines and fuel pump should be regularly checked if you do not want your fuel consumption to consume your hard earned dollars.

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3. 3
   Oil

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   Your engine oil is also a frequent perpetrator of leaks. Unchecked oil leaks can lead to adverse effects and damages to your car. Once you see oil dripping from your car, you should not procrastinate. Bring your car to a mechanic immediately. Oil leaks might be attributed to a worn out oil gasket, incorrect attachment of oil filter, corrosion in the oil coolant line, unsecured oil plug and high oil pressure.

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4. 4
   Brake Fluid

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   Most noted for its yellowish color; your brake fluid has a very crucial role in maintaining your car's hydraulic pressure system. Never disregard these leaks because it could potentially lead to brake failure, and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know what tragedies might come from this leak. This is why cars with brake fluid leaks should be towed - not driven - to the car repair shop.

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5. 5
   Automatic Transmission fluid

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   It's essential that you only drive a car that the gear's transmission is running smoothly on, and is totally functional. The automatic transmission fluid is characterized by a light red color when it's new and dark red or brown when it's old. If the automatic transmission fluid gets too low due to a leak, it could lead to the complete destruction of your transmission. Repairs on transmissions are very expensive, so save yourself a lot of money by dealing with leaking transmission fluid right away.

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If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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