Find Out Which Fluids are Leaking Based on the Fluid’s Color
Your car fluids are meant to stay in their place while they do their job. Sometimes, things go wrong with the parts that keep these fluids in place and cause them to leak.
You can find out which fluids are leaking based on their color after reading this guide.
- Clear color: A leak which is clear usually means that it’s a water leak. Water usually comes from the air conditioner during regular condensation. This isn’t something you should worry about. If you’re concerned that it could be something more, bring it to our service department where we can check the leak for you.
- Orange color: If you see an orange color or a color close to orange, it could mean that there’s a transmission fluid leak. Check to see if the center of your car is leaking this fluid as that is the most likely place for transmission fluid to leak from.
- Light yellow to dark brown: These colors tell you that there’s a brake fluid leak and indicate a problem with your vehicle’s braking system. Brake fluid changes color over time, and this is why there is a wide range of colors.
- Light brown to black: This means that you have an oil leak. Light brown means that the oil is relatively new while black implies that the oil has been used and recycled a bit. Oil leaks can tell you that the oil pan is leaking or that there is a problem with your engine.
- Green color: Green fluid leaking from your car is most likely an antifreeze leak. Antifreeze generally leaks from your vehicles water pump, hoses or radiator when fittings, hoses, clamps or other components have worn out or are not properly attached.
- Blue: Blue fluid leaking from your vehicle is probably windshield wiper fluid. Over time the fluid reservoir and tubing that carries the windshield wiper fluid through your wiper blades can degrade.
- Pink: Pink fluid leaking from your car is likely either power steering fluid or transmission fluid. These leakages are generally caused by a worn seal or a hole in the return line.
If you see a leak, you need to take your vehicle to a mechanic. Think of it as a symptom of a more significant problem. If you don’t take care of the symptoms, they turn into a larger, expensive mess that you’ll have to deal with. Visit Brandon Auto Mall Service department located in Brandon near Mango, Seffner and Tampa and we will perform a multi-point inspection, diagnose and fix the problem.