there is a leak coming from under the truck and it hasn’t been started in a couple days what could it be?
I seen a dark spot under the truck and it just keeps leaking just a little bit and when I did start the truck blue smoke came from the exhaust pipe
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi there:
The leaking fluid is most likely engine oil, which can leak from multiple engine seals or gaskets securing other items on the engine. Blue smoke coming from the vehicle’s exhaust is typically an indication of two mechanical component failures. First, when the smoke comes out while the vehicle is accelerating, it’s commonly caused by damaged piston rings.The other potential cause is a problem with the cylinder head valve guides. In this case, the blue smoke will appear during deceleration. I would contact one of our local ASE certified mechanics who can complete a smoke from engine or exhaust inspection for you, and then can follow through with the precise repair or adjustment.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
There are some very common causes for that water under your car, including: air conditioning, exhaust, and the windshield washer fluid reservoir. If the puddle under your vehicle is colorless and odorless, there is a good possibility it is just water dripping from your vehicle`s air conditioning system.
Radiator Coolant Leakage
If you find a fluorescent green, blue, orange, yellow, or pink puddle underneath the engine area of your car, chances are it`s radiator coolant. Also known as antifreeze, coolant contains ethylene glycol, which smells slightly sweet, like maple sugar or candy.
A puddle of amber, brown or black liquid under your car is probably engine oil, but if you want to be sure get close enough to touch it. If it feels slick and it`s hard to get off your fingers, it`s almost certainly oil.
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.
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.
Should I Worry If My Car Is Leaking Water? No, a car leaking water isn`t a major cause for concern. Since water leaking is generally due to air conditioner and exhaust condensation or a damaged rubber seal, the issue won`t impact your vehicle`s performance.
Should I Worry If My Car Is Leaking Water? No, a car leaking water isn`t a major cause for concern. Since water leaking is generally due to air conditioner and exhaust condensation or a damaged rubber seal, the issue won`t impact your vehicle`s performance.
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.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
I changed fuel pump and truck ran great for 3 days. Now after 3 days truck dies. It will start runs few min then dies like before
ANSWER : Check the bottom of the fuel tank for sediment. Age and mileage could have accumulated a lot of it at the bottom of the tank. If you did not, check and change the fuel filter. Rule of thumb – replace the fuel filter any time you replace a fuel pump. Also, check the wiring for any chaffing on the fuel pump when you remove it. While your problem is kind of unique, I have seen many GM truck fuel tank baffle loosen over time, occasionally rubbing against the fuel pump can intermittently short it out and/or block the fuel pump pick up. To have this diagnosed, consider having a certified expert from YourMechanic inspect the stalling issue to have this corrected.
there is a leak coming from under the truck and it hasn’t been started in a couple days what could it be?
ANSWER : Hi there:
The leaking fluid is most likely engine oil, which can leak from multiple engine seals or gaskets securing other items on the engine. Blue smoke coming from the vehicle’s exhaust is typically an indication of two mechanical component failures. First, when the smoke comes out while the vehicle is accelerating, it’s commonly caused by damaged piston rings.The other potential cause is a problem with the cylinder head valve guides. In this case, the blue smoke will appear during deceleration. I would contact one of our local ASE certified mechanics who can complete a smoke from engine or exhaust inspection for you, and then can follow through with the precise repair or adjustment.
I changed the fuel pump and truck ran great for 3 days. Now after 3 days, the truck dies. It will start running for a few minutes, then dies like before.
ANSWER : Hi there, thanks for writing in. I’d be happy to help. It sounds like you should disconnect the connector to the fuel pump and inspect it for any signs of getting hot. The female connections may be too loose on the fuel pump and lose contact after running and getting hot. If there are indeed any signs of problems, then I’d suggest replacing connector and adding dielectric lube to pins before installation. This should solve the problem, but if you continue to experience issues, feel free to reach out to us for help again.
Truck won’t start in morning. 2nd day now. Battery seems good.
ANSWER : Since the symptoms changed when you touched the battery terminal, it leads me to believe you may have a poor connection and the main battery terminals. If they are badly corroded or have any small cracks, the terminal may be too loose on the battery. You can rule out the battery by removing the connection to the vehicle then testing the battery itself. If the battery is good then reattach the terminals, tighten them and see if you are able to wiggle them on the posts. If the terminal still moves, replace the entire cable. You can cut the terminal ends and replace them, but you will never get as perfect a connection as replacing the whole cable. Consider hiring an experienced technician like one from YourMechanic who can come out and take a closer look at the loss of electrical power situation and run tests to offer a more personal diagnosis.
Fuel pump engages. Batery good, alternator good volts, jump start helps when wont start. Temp does not matter. Intermittent?
ANSWER : Hello. Thank you for writing in. There are several reasons your vehicle may only start when jump starting. The first and most common is a build up of resistance that is causing you to need a boost of voltage to get the engine started. This may be due to poor battery cables, a bad ground connection, a poor starter solenoid, and a couple of other issues. The first thing you want to do is perform a visual inspection of the starting system. Make sure there is no corrosion build up in the battery cables. You can also check the resistance across these wires and make sure you have a solid connection between components. You then want to make sure the starter solenoid is doing its job. It is responsible for taking the small amount of electricity sent by the ignition and turning it into a huge electrical charge that is strong enough to push over the engine with the help of some gear ratios in its favor. Do some more testing, and stick to the basics before assuming its something seriously complicated.
Vehicle won’t start, once it’s jump started it only stays running until you turn it off, then it work start again without jumping.
ANSWER : Hi there. There could be two problems here. It is possible that your battery is bad and will not take a charge from your alternator while driving. In that case every time you shut your car off you will not have enough juice to start it again. Inspect your battery – it should have at least 12.5 to 13 volts to start your car, if it doesn’t you will need to replace the battery. The second problem could be that your alternator is bad and not charging your battery, in this case you will need to replace your alternator. Both the battery and the alternator can be tested in your car. If you would like to have the car checked for you, a certified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose the starting problem and proceed with repairs.
My 2011 truck does not start all lights on dashboard turn on like normal but it will not start and it started showing a advancetra
ANSWER : Hi there. If you are able to turn the key and the engine cranks over; but won’t ignite, the issue will be caused by an ignition or fuel system component failure. If you are unable to crank the engine over, this is due to either the ignition relay or the starter itself. You might benefit from having one of our mobile mechanics come to your location and complete a car is hard to start inspection.
I parked my truck for 5-10 mins. Tried to turn it on, now it wont start, called a tow tow truck 15-20mins later my truck turned on
ANSWER : It is very likely that you have a powertrain control module failure. This can happen often on many GM vehicles. I would recommend having the powertrain control module tested and replaced as necessary in order to resolve this issue. After the powertrain control module is replaced, a reflash procedure will be required so that the vehicle can relearn all of its primary engine data. Once the reflash is completed, your vehicle should no longer have this issue.
