5 Things to Do if Your Vehicle Has a Leak
A leak is the first visible warning sign that all is not well with your vehicle. Leaks also point to potential danger while operating the vehicle.
They should not be ignored, and they must be addressed as soon as they are noticed. Check out the steps to this process below.
Stop Using the Vehicle Regularly
At the first sign of any leak, stop using the vehicle as the daily vehicle until the leak is repaired. Using a leaking vehicle can affect the environment, https://barsleaks.com/general/the-environmental-consequences-of-automotive-fluid-leaks/.
Depending upon the nature of the leak, it can even cause engine failure. Engine failure is a lot more expensive to repair than the leak that was left unrepaired.
The choice is often to either fix a minor repair now and spend less or risk a major repair later and spend much more.
Determine Which Liquid Is Leaking
Dip your finger into the leaked fluid and try to determine what fluid the vehicle is leaking.
If the liquid you dip your finger into is anything other than AC condensation, the leak may be the first sign of a minor problem now that has the potential to become a big problem.
If you are familiar with what vehicle fluids should look like in color and what they should smell like, let your senses be your leak detector guide. Learn more about leak sources here, https://www.cars.com/articles/how-i-can-tell-what-that-leak-in-my-driveway-is-1420676926838/.
For instance, if the fluid is reddish in color and smells sort of like scorched oil, first check the braking system. If it is dark and oily, check the oil pan and filter. If the leak is greenish with a water-like consistency, check the coolant levels.
If you cannot be sure by feel and smell, first look under the vehicle. Use a strong flashlight and hunt for drips or dried fluid stains.
Trace the Leak to Its Source
Once you locate either a drip sign or evaporated liquid path, use the light and track backward from the drip or path until you arrive at the first logical source.
Check carefully here and make sure that this is the source of the leak and not just a car part in the path of the leak.
If it is simply in the path of the leak flow, you will see a stream on the part from top to bottom. If you examine it carefully and detect no such flow, this is probably the leaky part.
Examine the Cause of the Leak
Once you have isolated and identified the leaky part, take time to closely examine the part. Look at the seams of the part. Next, look at the rubber seals or gaskets the part may have. Wipe these areas clean.
Restart the vehicle and take it for a drive. Sometimes leaks do not show with a car at idle. Putting the vehicle ‘under load’ by operating it can often help to more quickly identify the leak. Check the cleaned area after the car has run.
Repair the Leak and Check the Repair
Repair the leak by either replacing gaskets or seals. If the consensus is that the part is better replaced than repaired, replace the leaky part.
Always check and monitor any repaired leak. Use the same method to check the repair you used to find the leak.
Conclusion
Never continue to operate a leaky vehicle. Not only is it a potential environmental hazard, but left long enough, leaks can result in huge repair bills.