Is your car leaking water like it’s hosting its own little puddle party?
It might just be a little AC condensation or some leftover water from the windshield wipers.
Water leaks are usually harmless. But if you often notice large puddles inside or outside your car, it’s time to pay attention.
Let’s explore the common causes behind your car’s surprise waterworks, other fluids that could leak, and a few ways to fix it for good.
This Article Contains:
- Why Is My Car Leaking Water?
- 2 Ways to Determine Your Car Is Leaking Water and Its Causes
- How to Identify the Leaking Fluid Based on Color
- Should You Worry if Your Car Is Leaking Water?
- Why Is Water Leaking Inside Your Car?
- How to Fix a Water Leak in Your Car
- How to Prevent Car Leaks
Why Is My Car Leaking Water?
The key to why your car is leaking water lies in the leak’s location:
1. Front of Your Vehicle
The evaporator core absorbs heat and humidity inside your cabin. When you run the AC system, especially on a hot day, the air around the core condenses and forms water droplets.
The core’s drain tubes carry the condensed water and release it underneath the car, near the passenger side.
But if you spot small puddles of fluid near the front tires, it can be water or windshield washer fluid leaking from a cracked reservoir — and not because of AC condensation.
How does that happen?
Sometimes, the windshield reservoir is filled with clear water instead of windshield wiper fluid. This water freezes and expands in cold temperatures, cracking the reservoir and leaking water.
If you see a puddle of light green or blue fluid near the tires instead of water, it’s usually wiper fluid diluted with water.
2. Back of Your Vehicle
If water leaks from the exhaust pipe, it’s either because of exhaust condensation or a blown gasket.
Exhaust condensation is when the engine’s hot gases meet the cooler air outside, causing moisture to form and exit through the tailpipe. Meanwhile, a blown gasket, such as a head gasket, can let coolant mix with the exhaust system and leak out.
However, water isn’t the only fluid that can leak from your car. You need to watch out for other fluid leaks to prevent severe damage.
2 Ways to Determine Your Car Is Leaking Water and Its Causes
Here are two methods to verify a water leak and its root cause:
1. Perform a Paper Test
Place a piece of paper or a paper towel under the leakage. If the dripping fluid is colorless and odorless, it’s water.
NOTE: Brake fluid is another colorless fluid that may leak from under your car. However, it has a thicker consistency and a distinct fishy odor that’s hard to miss.
2. Look for a Large Amount of Water and White Smoke
White smoke and excess water dripping from the tailpipe can indicate a blown head gasket.
A head gasket typically seals the engine’s combustion chamber, preventing a coolant and oil leak.
When the gasket fails, the engine coolant may enter and burn inside the combustion chamber, releasing white smoke. As this smoke passes through the exhaust pipe, it condenses, creating water droplets that drip out.
Let’s check out the other fluids your car might leak and how to identify them.
How to Identify the Leaking Fluid Based on Color
Your car uses around 6-9 fluids that help different systems function smoothly.
Here’s how you can identify these fluids from their color:
- Colorless: Water or brake fluid
- Dark brown: Older engine oil or brake fluid
- Light brown: Newer engine oil or gear lubricant
- Orange: Transmission fluid or engine coolant (radiator coolant)
- Red or pink: Transmission or power steering fluid
- Green or blue: Antifreeze or windshield wiper fluid
- Yellow: Radiator coolant
Now that you can identify the leak based on its color, keep reading to find out if it’s a cause for concern.
Should You Worry if Your Car Is Leaking Water?
Generally, a small puddle of water isn’t a concern. If the water leak is caused by the car’s air conditioning system or exhaust condensation, it won’t impact your vehicle’s performance.
However, if there are large water puddles in the back or front of your vehicle, you should call a car maintenance service ASAP.
But what if it isn’t water?
A colored fluid leak can indicate a wide range of issues, which, if ignored, can further damage your vehicle.
For example:
- A coolant leak from the radiator hose will slowly reduce the coolant level, which can lead to engine overheating. A water pump leak can also affect coolant levels in the coolant reservoir, putting an extra strain on your cooling system.
- A brake fluid leak from a brake hose can lead to total brake failure.
- An oil leak can spill over and damage engine compartment parts like the radiator and drive belt.
- A power steering fluid leak will slowly affect your steering system, making it difficult to turn and steer your car.
These leakages could also indicate issues with other critical parts, such as the exhaust system, water pump, radiator, and power steering pump. That’s why it’s essential to have a professional auto mechanic check your vehicle.
What if there’s water leaking inside the cabin?
How does that happen?
Why Is Water Leaking Inside Your Car?
Some common causes why water can leak in your cabin are:
1. Failing Door or Window Seal
Water ingress (when water enters your car) during rains can point to weatherstripping issues. Weatherstripping is a rubber material around your car’s windows, windshield, and doors that keeps rain and wind out.
Why you shouldn’t ignore it?
If rainwater pools inside, it can lead to water damage like mold growth. A leak through the windshield can also damage your dashboard or trunk.
2. Damaged Sunroof Seals or Clogged Drain Tubes
Your car’s sunroof has rubber seals to keep water and dust out, but extreme heat and sunlight can damage them and allow rainwater to seep in. Sunroofs also have drain tubes to carry water away. But over time, leaves, dirt, and grime clog these tubes, causing water to back up and leak into the cabin.
3. Clogged AC Evaporator Core or Drain Tube
Drain tubes carry condensed water from the evaporator core outside the car, but dirt, leaves, and road debris can clog them. When blocked, water can accumulate inside the drain tubes and start dripping from the sides of the dashboard.
4. Leaking Heater Core
The heater core uses hot coolant to warm the air. Over time, the core can rust or get damaged, leading to leaks. When this happens, you’ll notice coolant pooling inside the cabin.
NOTE: Coolant has a sweet, syrupy smell. If you notice this odor inside your car, it indicates a coolant leak.
So, how do you repair the leak?
Let’s have a look.
How to Fix a Water Leak in Your Car
Fixing a water leak requires working around the engine compartment. You may also have to handle complex heating and cooling system components, which can be challenging without technical know-how.
For your peace of mind and safety, it’s best to call a professional car maintenance service before you experience extensive water damage.
Your mechanic will perform these basic steps to fix it:
- Clean the clogged evaporator drain: They’ll use a thin wire to clean the evaporator’s drain tube to remove the accumulated dirt or debris.
- Inspect the windshield wiper fluid reservoir: They’ll inspect the wiper fluid reservoir for damage and replace it if it has a crack or a hole. Then, they’ll refill it with fresh windshield washer fluid.
- Clear the sunroof and doors’ drain tubes: The mechanic will use a wire to remove the dirt or debris collected in the drain tube near the sunroof and the door’s bottom edge.
- Replace worn weatherstripping: If the rubber seals around your car door, window, and sunroof are cracked, they’ll replace them with new ones.
NOTE: If the water leak is caused by a broken heater core or blown head gasket, simple fixes won’t solve the problem. Instead, your mechanic will perform a complete replacement.
Next, read on to find out how you can prevent your car from leaking fluid.
How to Prevent Car Leaks
Besides regular car service, here are some car care tips to keep your car leak-free for a long time:
- Inspect rubber seals and gaskets around doors, windows, windshield, and the trunk for any cracks, wear, or damage. Replace them as needed to keep moisture out.
- Check your car’s fluid levels regularly, including oil, coolant, and transmission fluid. Low fluid levels can lead to leaks or other issues.
- Inspect the coolant and radiator hoses for signs of cracks or leaks, especially if your car is overheating. A small leak can lead to serious problems if not addressed.
- Ensure that the drainage system in the sunroof, windshield, and air conditioning is clear of debris.
- Check the undercarriage for any signs of fluid leaks. This can include engine oil, brake fluid, or transmission fluid. Address any leaks quickly to prevent damage.
- Replace parts like the oil pan, differential, or transmission seals if they show signs of wear or damage to avoid fluid leaks.
- Clean your vehicle, including underneath, to spot early signs of leaks or corrosion.
- Look for cracks in the body or undercarriage of your car and get these fixed as soon as possible to prevent leaks.
TIPS: Look out for vehicle specials or discounts for fluid checks to keep your car leak-free and its maintenance economical. If you’re getting a used car, one of the best car buying tips is to ensure the car has no leaks or hidden mechanical issues that could lead to costly repairs down the line.
Keep Water Leak Issues at Bay with AutoNation Mobile Service
While occasional water leaks might not be a big deal, if puddles become a regular sight, it’s best not to dodge them.
Not sure what type of leak you have?
Call AutoNation Mobile Service mechanics to inspect your car’s air conditioning system, car door rubber seals, and sunroof for leaks; all done right from your driveway!
We’re a mobile auto repair solution that offers easy online bookings and upfront pricing. We also offer a 12-month | 12,000-mile warranty on every car service for extra peace of mind.
Contact us to address water, transmission fluid, or oil leak issues so you can drive without a drop of worry.