The next time you are out at the grocery store, look down at the ground in the parking lot. You will most likely see a lot of oil and assorted liquid stains in the parking spaces. Most of these stains have come from someone’s vehicle, many times going undetected by the vehicle owner.
Despite vast improvements in vehicle engines since the 1960s, today’s cars still leak fluids. Some fluid leaks are tell-tale signs there is a potentially developing problem with your vehicle. You should always have any leaks addressed by a professional. As a vehicle owner, it is important to understand why your vehicle may be leaking in order to correct the underlying problem.
The fluids that most commonly leak from a vehicle are:
- Water
- Motor Oil
- Engine Coolant
- Transmission Fluid
Let’s review what might cause some of the more common fluid leaks from your vehicle.
| Water | When running the A/C in your vehicle it is designed to drain any excess moisture. Water leaks are commonly found under the front, passenger side of the vehicle. |
| Oil | Constant thermal shock (i.e. heating and cooling) of the vehicle during normal operation can result in oil gasket or seal leaks The crankcase (i.e. housing for the crankshaft) breather system becomes dirty or caked up with sludge. |
| Engine Coolant | Overheating of your engine caused by stress of excessive expansion. Coolant has a sweet smell. You may see your coolant leak during colder temperatures. This is due to the fact that in colder temperatures, the seams and joints contract, allowing the coolant to ooze out. |
| Transmission Fluid | There’s a variety of reasons the transmission fluid might leak such as a cracked gasket pan. Transmission pan gaskets can also leak if improperly tightened. Transmission fluid is usually red or bright pink. |
Checking your vehicle’s vital fluid levels on a regular basis is a proactive way to see if you are experiencing any potential leaks. If you continue to see fluid levels go down after adding fluids, you may be experiencing some type of leak.
Don’t be fooled if you don’t see evidence of a fluid leak with your vehicle. Very often we advise customers that they have a leak and the response is “I haven’t seen anything on the garage floor.” The modern vehicle has panels underneath to reduce drag, protect engine components and reduce noise. They also will “catch” any oil or coolant before it can get to the ground, which is why the customer doesn’t see anything. The accumulated fluid blows off in the air stream as the car goes down the road. It is not uncommon for the car to give off a burning odor when stopped at an intersection because the fluid hits the exhaust system as it blows back.
If you think you have a fluid leak, contact Shade Tree Garage in Morristown, NJ, today for an inspection. We will advise you of any leaks and the potential problems and prescribe a plan to repair your vehicle.