Most common car leaks

Just as your body is filled with fluids that allow it to function properly, your car has a variety of liquids pumping through it that allow it to run at its best. And just as your body springs a few leaks from time to time, so too does your car.

Below we take a look at the most common car leaks and explain what they mean:

• Coolant (Antifreeze)
Coolant usually has a greenish color. Sometimes it’s bright orange or pink. But usually it’s green. It has a bit of a sticky, viscous feel to it. Antifreeze is one of the most common leaks on cars. It’s not a serious leak to have, but you should get it fixed as soon as possible. Coolant regulates the temperature in your engine. Left unchecked, a coolant leak can lead to your engine overheating and your car dying on the side of the road.

• Gasoline
Gas leaks are easy to identify. Does the puddle in your garage smell like gas? Yes? Okay, it’s probably gas. Don’t worry. Just because you have a gas leak, doesn’t mean your car is about to blow up. In fact, some people drive around with gas leaks for months without having any problems. Fire and blowing-up-action-movie-style is still a risk with fuel leaks, so it’s important to get them taken care of immediately.

• Oil
Another common fluid to drip from your car is good engine oil. If your car leaks oil in drips while your car is parked and leaves a puddle on your garage’s floor, take it into a mechanic and get it fixed ASAP. An oil leak can adversely affect oil levels in your car, and if left unchecked, can cause engine damage.

An oil leak can come from a variety of sources, including, but not limited to:
1. bad or worn oil gasket
2. oil filter not attached correctly
3. oil coolant line corroded
4. oil plug not secured properly
5. high oil pressure

• Brake Fluid
Brake fluid is clear to yellowish in color and has a medium thickness and a slightly oily feel. If you see a puddle of liquid with these properties under your car, have your car towed to a mechanic immediately.

• Windshield Washer Solvent
Windshield wiper fluid is usually blue, but sometimes green or orange. It’s really thin and feels almost like water. Check the windshield wiper fluid reservoir and the tubes that carry fluid for any leaks. This isn’t a serious leak. It only becomes a problem after you drive through a plague of locusts, and their guts get splattered all over your windshield.

• Water
It’s blistering hot and you’ve had the car’s A/C running full blast all day. As you leave the shop and walk towards your car, you notice a steady drip of liquid coming from your car’s underside. Most people freak out about isn’t actually a leak. It’s just water condensation from the air conditioner.

Source: http://www.artofmanliness.com/2011/09/06/car-leaks/