Fluid leak coming from under the vehicle
There is an L shaped pipe or metal line that is leaking fluid, it's located directly underneath the radiator
My car has 204000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hello. A fluid leak from a line beneath the radiator will likely be a power steering or transmission fluid leak. Lines from both systems are commonly run near or into the radiator and are the most common places, aside from the radiator itself, that can leak if there is an issue. If the line runs directly into the radiator it is likely a transmission or engine oil cooler line, with transmission fluid or engine oil running through it. If the line only runs near the radiator, and appears to go to the steering rack then it is likely a power steering pressure or return hose. If the leak is substantial, care must be taken to make sure that none of the vehicle’s fluids run low, or risk the potential of damage to the engine or components. I would recommend having a professional technician, such as one from YourMechanic, come to your location to determine what the cause of the leak may be](https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/oil-fluid-leak-inspection).
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
If you notice a clear and odorless fluid underneath your car, then it`s probably from your car`s air conditioning system. The air conditioning system of your car is the most common source of a water leak; thankfully, it is usually not serious.
The most common type of fluid leak is motor oil. If you notice a dark brown or black fluid leaking from your car, it`s most likely motor oil. While a small amount of oil seepage is normal, excessive oil leakage is a sure sign of trouble for your engine.
Engine oil is the most common type of fluid leak. If the puddle of liquid is towards the front of your vehicle, its source is probable the engine. Dip your finger or a piece of paper towel into the liquid. If it is engine oil, the fluid will be brown or black, slick to the touch, and have a slightly burnt odor.
The fuel pan gasket is the number one culprit if your vehicle`s transmission fluid leaks when your car is parked. Cars with automatic transmissions have a pan gasket designed to catch most fluids leaking from the engine.
Transmission fluid leaks will usually be reddish brown in color with a thin viscosity (new fluid) or brown with a thicker viscosity (old fluid). These leaks will typically be found near your car`s middle section.
This will result in a low coolant level and decreased cooling of your engine. If you drive even for a short time without enough coolant, your engine can seize or die altogether. An antifreeze leak can occur through a hole in your radiator.
It could be a leaking hose or a radiator hole. Solution: Check to see if any coolant is leaking from your hoses. If you find coolant flowing out of the hose(s), replace them. It`s a simple fix if you find coolant leaking from your thermostat.
There is a lot of different types of fluid that could be leaking, especially out of the front of your car where most of the fluids happen to be held. However, it is not uncommon to see water leaking from the front of the car, especially if you`re currently running your car`s AC.
To be sure, you`ll need to pinpoint where it`s coming from using your eyes and your nose. Amber, dark brown or even black fluid is probably motor oil, but it could also be brake fluid. Reddish fluid is usually from the transmission, though it could also be power-steering fluid.
If your car has been parked for several days, and, when you move it, you notice fresh drops or a puddle of fluid in your garage or on your driveway, you could be losing transmission fluid. Most cars have several different types of fluids, so it`s important to try and determine where the leak is coming from.
Cracked Gasket: The Core Culprit in Most Engine Oil Leaks
More often than not, a sudden oil leak after oil change is caused by a malformed or cracked gasket. Gaskets are usually made of urethane or rubber, and they can harden over time.
The gasket is probably the most common cause of oil leaks, especially in older vehicles or vehicles that are used frequently & have a high number of miles. The gasket is a seal that joins the head two metal parts of the engine, such as the between the block and the head(s) as well as the engine block and the oil pan.
Corrosion within the radiator is one of the leading reasons that coolant leaks. As the tubes get older and weaker, you may get sediment or debris inside that causes a leak. The sealing gasket between the tank and the radiator can also wear out, and that could lead to a leak.
If you suspect an internal coolant leak, allow the radiator to cool, take off the cap, and look for signs of oil or frothy bubbles in the radiator or header tank. With the engine running, smell the coolant itself – if there is a whiff of exhaust gas , the cylinder-head gasket may be leaking.
Look for signs of coolant leakage—a light-colored residue or stain—around the radiator cap, on hoses throughout the engine compartment (check the ends where they are clamped to other components) and on the radiator itself. If it looks like a hose is leaking near a clamp, try tightening the clamp with a screwdriver.
The A/C builds condensation in the vent system that is under your dash. The system has a drain hole, but sometimes the hole becomes clogged with debris, and sometimes bugs like to go in there and build their nest. This is common in the spring. The solution is simple, just unclog the hole.
Internal Transmission Damage
In other more serious cases, leaking transmission fluid could be a crack in the transmission housing or a sign of other serious internal damage. If you notice transmission fluid leaking under your vehicle, you shouldn`t wait to have it inspected by a transmission expert.
Strange Smells
While you can always check for a leak, transmission fluid has a unique odor that you can also identify it by. This fluid has a slightly sweet or tart odor and often attracts animals. If you start to notice a burning odor, this is the time to schedule (quickly) your next fluid change.
DIY repairs can often lead to this problem. Thankfully, this particular problem does not require a major repair. Your technician can repair the transmission leak by replacing the seals to fix the problem.
Leaks are usually due to issues with the master cylinder, ABS module, brake line, bleeder valve, rotor, drum, pistons, or general brake assemblies, so checking which component is above the leak can sometimes signify the source.
The ABS pump in the braking systems tends to carry some braking fluid. Some seals hold it in place, but if they get worn out, it can cause the fluid to start leaking out.
Power steering fluid is red, so it might be difficult to tell if the fluid leaking out of your automobile onto your garage floor is power steering fluid or coolant (if your coolant is red, too).
What does it mean when your car is leaking oil when parked? Oil leaks manifest in many different ways, but if your car is leaking oil when parked, the vast majority of leaks are due to degraded engine gaskets, oil pan leaks, or bad oil seals and connections. Your car`s oil pan is attached to the bottom of your engine.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Transmission fluid leaked while pulling a car out of mud
ANSWER : From the description you’re giving me, I’m not sure. I know many Fords, including my F150, have a circular seal type bell housing inspection cover near the transmission. Fluid pooled in this area generally indicates an engine oil leak from the rear main seal or a transmission leak from the front pump seal. The only way to know for sure is to have your truck’s transmission leak inspected firsthand by a professional. The team at YourMechanic is an excellent option since we make house calls.
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My car is leaking transmission fluid – I can’t diagnose the leak
ANSWER : Based on the NHTSA database covering consumer complaints, as well as government mandated recalls and factory service bulletins, for your specific year, make and model, I do not see evidence of widespread complaints about transmission fluid leaks. Such leaks are, in fact, common in transmissions made by any car company, particularly if the transmission is older than say 10 years. There is a manual shaft seal, oil pan gasket, output shaft seals, case seals, torque converter seal (inaccessible) and so forth all of which are potential leak points on your transmission.
If you want to identify and resolve these leaks, certainly a certified Mechanic from YourMechanic could come out and perform a transmission leak inspection and let you know where the leak points are and what it will cost to resolve them.
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i have a 98 lincoln mark8 v8 and apparently it has an oil leak. now i dont know where the leak is coming from but i was told it co
ANSWER : Hi there. The first thing that any mechanic would do is determine where the oil leak is coming from before quoting you a maximum price estimate. In general, most oil leaks are caused by front crankshaft seals that become worn out, especially on vehicles that are nearly 20 years old. This type of replacement could cost up to $800 to $1,200 depending on what else might be damaged. You might want to have a professional mechanic come to your location to complete a car is leaking oil inspection, so they can pinpoint the source and recommend repairs.
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Oil was leaking, put in over 4 qts of oil and oil leak stopper. White smoke coming tailpipe,engine shakes, car dies. Oil leaking.
ANSWER : Oil additives are not recommended by any vehicle manufacturer for any reason. Additives that purport to resolve oil leaks are useless, a waste of your money, and may result in engine damage. Every vehicle manufacturer strongly recommends against use of these materials. There is only one recommended and approved repair strategy when it comes to oil leaks: fix the leak.
You can only add the manufacturer specified amount of oil to an engine. If you add too much oil, or too little oil, that will cause engine damage. You should check the engine oil dipstick to determine if there is presently too much oil in the engine. If there is too much, the excess will have to be removed to prevent engine damage.
The leak that you are referring to can be repaired if you request an oil leak diagnostic. If you have further questions or concerns as you decide what to do, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic because we want you to make the most of your repair dollars and help you get the best possible results.
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Brake fluid leaking
ANSWER : Hi there. There are two copper crush washers, one on each side of the banjo fitting (the "banjo" is the segment of the brake hose that the bolt is put through). The reason it is leaking is you appear to have left off the second copper washer between the caliper and the bottom of the banjo.
The copper washers are never re-usable. Simply install two new copper crush washers – one on each side of the banjo – and torque the bolt to exactly 26 ft lbs. using a calibrated torque wrench.
If you undertighten the bolt it will leak. If you overtighten it, it will leak and you will distort or break the bolt and crush the banjo fitting. If you believe you have overtightened the bolt in trying to stop the leak, simply buy a new bolt so that when you torque it to 26 ft. lbs. with the new washers the bolt doesn’t break off in the caliper. Obviously, it is a special hollow-drilled bolt but the parts stores do carry them. If you need further assistance handling this brake fluid leak, a qualified professional from YourMechanic can come to your location to have this resolved.
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my brake master cylinder leaks fluid but not all the time
ANSWER : Hi there. A crack in the master cylinder can cause the issue you’re experiencing. The system itself is not "pressurized" until the cap is closed and the pedal is pressed. When you’re driving, the fluid is continually in motion when the brake pedal is engaged; so it’s possible that the leak is worse when it sits. I would recommend having a professional mobile mechanic come to your location and complete a brake fluid leak inspection, so they can determine what’s causing the leak and recommend the right repairs.
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washer fluid hasn’t been coming out nozzles to windshield, yet within 12 hrs "refill washer fluid" notification comes up – leak?
ANSWER : Before replacing the reservoir, you should check the hoses to see if there are any leaks. It could be something as simple as a hose coming loose or breaking. If you are certain it’s the reservoir, then I would go ahead and replace it. If you would like to have this checked, have a local expert inspect the windshield wiper system so that this can be resolved properly.
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Brakes are failing no fluid leaks at all and brake fluid resevoir still full
ANSWER : An internal seal failure in the master cylinder is possible and that is easily tested for by either blocking off the master cylinder ports and/or using pressure gauges to measure pressure developed within the system upon pedal application. It is possible that the problem is due to present air in the system or a leak that has admitted air on repeated application of the brakes over time. Of course, the system can be thoroughly bled to rule that possibility in or out. If the wheel bearings are loose, that will cause excessive pedal travel. Also, it is possible that a clogged proportioning valve could play a role in this. To answer your question about safety of operation, you are right that in this particular scenario, it is manifestly unsafe and unwise to operate the vehicle until it is repaired. If you desire that this problem be diagnosed by a certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, please request a low brake pedal diagnostic and the responding mechanic will get this resolved for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic.
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