Water Leaking From Under Car: Differentiating

If you’ve water leaking from under cars in your Laurel driveway, there isn’t an immediate cause for concern. There are a few common reasons for cars to leave trails of water, and most of the time it’s nothing to worry about. For example, the air conditioning system generates significant amounts of condensation during its normal operations, and this will drain out near the back of the engine compartment. It’s also common to see a water pool near your vehicle’s tailpipe, which is almost always exhaust condensation. 

The biggest concern when you notice a leak is that it isn’t water at all. Our experts at our Underriner Honda service center, just outside of Red Lodge and Cody, can help you solve your leakage problems. 

Why is My Car Leaking Water? – Possible Causes

If you notice your car leaking water or possibly another fluid, there are a few things you can do to identify what the problem may be:

• Place a sheet of white paper or cardboard under the leak to get a better picture.
• If there isn’t any color in the fluid, it’s just water, and there is likely no cause for concern. If you notice there is a bit more color then there may be an issue.
• A small amount of water coming from your exhaust is probably just condensation. If there’s a great deal of water and a large amount of white smoke, you may have blown a gasket. This causes coolant to be burned alongside your fuel.
• If your leaking fluid is a strange color, it’s most likely coolant. Low fluids could lead to long-term damage, so you’ll want to get into a service center right away.
• A cracked windshield wiper fluid reservoir could also be the cause of a leak. If water gets into your windshield wiper fluid, and freezes, the reservoir can crack and leak your fluid onto the ground. This fluid will likely be light blue or light green, and will gather around your front tires.

Is Your Car Leaking Water Inside?

If you find a water leak inside the cabin, in some cases, it could indicate an issue with the A/C. That is not always the case, though. Water could be entering the vehicle due to a poorly installed windshield, an old sunroof, excessive corrosion, or broken seams in the vehicle’s body panels. If it is due to the A/C, it could be caused by:

1. The evaporator drain is clogged
2. The evaporator core is leaking
3. The plastic or rubber seals in the A/C system have failed

Why is My Car Leaking Water? – Color Guide

Color is a great indicator of what’s going on inside your vehicle. You can perform a color test by placing white cardboard or heavy paper beneath the leak under your car. Here is a reference guide as to what exactly the colors may be showing you:

Warm Color

• Red – Transmission Fluid or Power Steering Fluid
• Orange – Transmission Fluid or Radiator Coolant
• Pink – Power Steering Fluid or Transmission Fluid
• Yellow – Radiator Coolant

Cool Color

• Green – Antifreeze from Water Pump, Hoses, or Radiator, or Windshield Wiper Fluid
• Blue – Windshield Wiper Fluid

Dark/Neutral

• Dark Brown – Brake Fluid or Older Engine Oil
• Light Brown – Newer Engine Oil or Gear Lubricant

After getting an idea of what’s wrong with your vehicle, you can check out our service specials before scheduling service with Underriner Honda in Billings.

Visit Our Service Center in Billings!

Water leaking from under cars can cause concern, but hopefully, you now have a better idea of whether it’s a serious problem or common condensation. If you think that it’s something other than water, be sure to visit our service center outside of Laurel ASAP. You can also check out some of our other service tips with Underriner Honda to learn about how long your tires last or how to check your oil.