Thursday, June 30, 2016

Ask The Tech--Leaking Fluid

Q: There is a puddle under my car, should I be worried?
A: Well it really depends on what color it is and what it smells like.  If you have been running your air conditioning, it could be water from the evaporator, which is a normal function and not something you should be worried about.  However, there are several leaks that you should have looked at right away.  A few below are:
  • Coolant/Antifreeze--This is normally green although it can be pink or orange.  Antifreeze is one of the most common leaks.  It is not serious, but you should get it repaired as soon as possible
  • Gasoline--This is easy to detect, does it smell like gas?  Then it is. 
  • Oil--New oil has a yellowish brown color; older oil looks dark brown or black.  If you have a puddle of oil on the ground you should get that checked quickly, lack of oil can affect your engine. 
  • Brake--brake fluid appears clear to yellowish in color and has a medium thickness and a slightly oily feel.  If you think you are leaking brake fluid it is best to have your vehicle towed.  Brakes work with hydraulic pressure and leak can cause a drop in pressure resulting in brake failure.   
  • Automatic Transmission Fluid--This has a light red color when it’s new and a dark red or brownish color when it’s old. It’s thick and has an almost oil-like feel. Having a leak in your transmission can cause additional wear when shifting gears.  Prolonged lack of fluid can cause costly repairs to your transmission.  

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