There are a variety of different fluids in your car. MotivWerks has some tips for you that can help you to pinpoint what type of leak your car might have.
Black Fluid Under the Engine
Black fluid, particularly under the engine block, almost always means there’s an oil leak. There’s also usually a sheen to oil that is very different than other fluids. At an angle, you might see other colors. Oil leaks mean that your car’s engine isn’t going to run as well as it really should.
Yellow or Green Fluid
Engine coolant is usually green or yellow, and it’s usually a neon version of either of those two colors. Sometimes there might be flecks of orange in a green or yellow fluid, and that is an indication of rust. Typically, this means that you’ve got a leak in your radiator, your water pump, or any of the hoses that carry coolant.
Clear Watery Fluid
Clear watery fluid is usually water. This is almost always condensation when you’ve had the air conditioner running. You might notice this type of puddle under the engine of your car when you come back to it after having only parked the car a short time before.
Brown or Clear Fluid
Clear or brown fluid that’s greasy is something you’re most likely to see around one of the wheels. That means that you may have more difficulty using your brakes, which is not a good problem to have. Your car’s brakes rely on hydraulic pressure to keep the brakes working. Leaks in the brake lines reduce that pressure, making stopping an iffy proposition.
Brown or Red Fluid
Brown or red fluid, particularly if it’s under the back end of the car, is likely to be transmission fluid. Any time you’ve got a transmission fluid leak, that’s bad news. It’s a bad idea to drive your car if you suspect that here’s any problem with your transmission.
Blue Watery Fluid
Blue fluid is unusual to see because this is windshield wiper fluid. If you’re seeing a blue, watery puddle under your car it’s because there’s some sort of leak either in the reservoir or in the tubes that lead to the sprayers on your windshield.
Got a fluid leak and you’re not sure what it is or what it means? MotivWerks in Chambersburg, PA can help. Give us a call and we can take a look at what is happening with your car’s fluids.