Why is My Car Leaking Water?

It can be frightening if you notice your car leaking water suddenly, but often, if it’s really water that’s leaking from your vehicle, it’s no cause for concern. In fact, usually, a water leak is caused by the A/C unit dripping, which is totally normal, and actually, a good sign that your A/C is working well! Sometimes, however, puddles of what looks like water can occur, which can be more indicative of a serious issue. Read on to identify the source of your car’s water or fluid leak with the Ryan Honda of Minot service center!

Identifying the Cause of Leaking Water

Have you noticed water leaking from under the car? Follow these steps to find where it’s coming from.

• Put a sheet of paper under the leak. If the fluid is something other than water, the color will show up in the paper. It can be blue, green, or yellow, and if it is, then you may be dealing with a coolant leak.
• It’s normal for water to leak from your exhaust pipe — especially upon starting your Honda engine. But more than a little water, often accompanied by whitish smoke, can indicate head gasket issues. 
• Want to see if it’s actually water vs. coolant that’s leaking from your vehicle? Check your coolant levels. If they’re low, you should schedule service ASAP.
• A cracked windshield wiper fluid reservoir can sometimes cause a light blue or light green liquid to leak from your engine bay by the front tires.

What Fluid is Leaking from My Car?

Want to have a better idea of what kind of fluid is actually leaking from your car? This handy test can help; simply put a piece of clean white printer paper under the leak and watch it. You can leave it for a bit to saturate if that helps. The following colors often correspond to the below-listed fluid leaks:

• Red – Transmission Fluid or Power Steering Fluid
• Orange – Transmission Fluid or Radiator Coolant
• Yellow – Radiator Coolant
• Green – Antifreeze from Water Pump, Hoses, or Radiator
• Blue – Windshield Wiper Fluid
• Dark Brown – Brake Fluid or Older Engine Oil
• Light Brown – Newer Engine Oil or Gear Lubricant
• Pink – Power Steering Fluid or Transmission Fluid

Visit Ryan Honda of Minot in Minot for Service

Not sure if the fluid leak you’ve identified is dark blue vs. light blue? Don’t want to get down on your hands and knees to check out leaks? For many Devils Lake and Dickinson drivers with leaking vehicles, it’s simply the easiest and most peace-inducing decision to simply bring their vehicle into our service center to diagnose leaks. If you do head to us for service, be sure to check out our current specials to save more on vehicle repair & diagnostics in Minot!