You can find a wide range of fluids to cool and lubricate your vehicle. These fluids can cause damage to your vehicle and safety of your family. You should immediately identify any leaks and have them repaired.
What does the color liquid mean?
Vehicles can be filled with many different colored liquids so it may be difficult to identify which type of leak is coming from one. You should first place a white sheet of cardboard underneath the vehicle to catch any liquid puddles. This will allow you to determine the color and amount of liquid that has leaked.
Green Liquid
Cooling system
The coolant or antifreeze that is leaking from your car’s engine is typically coolant. There are many colors of antifreeze. The four types of vehicle antifreeze are classified according to the amount of substances they contain. The color of antifreezes can also vary depending on what substance they contain. Inorganic Antifreeze (IAT), also known as green-antifreeze, is also known. This product contains silicate and/or phosphate and has an average life expectancy of 40-50 million km. 2, or 40-50 thousand km. The coolant also stops corrosion from the engine block and any metal parts. Green antifreezes are more common in older vehicles.
Coolant leaks can happen from many parts in your vehicle. Coolant leaks are most commonly found in the following areas:
- Radiator
- – Radiator hoses and heater hoses
- – Water pump/ Circulation
- – Thermostat body
- – Engine cover plugs (also known as freeze and expansion plugs).
- – Cylinder head gasket
- Radiators
You can sometimes spot a coolant leak by performing a quick visual inspection. If it doesn’t work, you should pressure test the cooling system. Fluid leaks from the cooling systems will be easier to detect when they are pressure applied.
Air Conditioner Gas Leak Detection Paint
The refrigerant for air conditioners does not come in any color. However, some are dyed green to help detect potential leaks. The phosphorescent/neon green color of green paint is different from antifreeze.
Nearly anywhere in an A/C system, refrigerant leaks could occur. The most frequent leak locations are:
- – A/C compressor
- – Air conditioner radiator / condenser
- – The Evaporator Core (you can see paint seeping out of the drain).
- – Lines & fittings
- – Pressure switch
- – Orifice or expansion valve
- – Air conditioner tube
The paint can often stick to the source of the refrigerant leaking, making it easier for you to find. You can also use an A/C leak detection kit (UV lamp and goggles) to see the source of the refrigerant leak better.
The leak must be repaired by removing the gas from the air conditioner. If the machine is not used, the gas can escape into the atmosphere. It is illegal to release air conditioner gases into the atmosphere.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Most cars use red automatic transmission fluid, but some vehicles with continuously variable auto transmission (CVT), use green ATF.
ATF and antifreeze are very different in that ATF is oily, while antifreeze is more slippery. ATF is also known as transmission fluid.
ATF leaks can happen from many places. The most frequent leak sites are:
- – Transmission crankcase gasket
- – Output shaft seals and axle seals
- – Refrigerant lines & fittings
- – Torque converter (front pump) gasket
A simple visual inspection will reveal if there is an ATF leak in the transmission.
Honey Color or Translucent Liqueur
Oil for engines
When new and clean, engine oil is translucent and honey-colored. There is usually no problem if you find a tiny drop of oil underneath your vehicle. If you notice a droplet of oil on the ground or a burning odor while driving, it is not a serious problem.
You should first check the oil condition by taking out the dipstick. You should check the oil level to make sure it is not below the recommended minimum level. Avoid using your vehicle in such cases and get your vehicle checked out by a mechanic right away.
Engine oil leakage is most commonly caused by:
- – Oil pan gasket
- – Valve cover gasket
- – Crankshaft gasket (crank seal)
- – Camshaft(s) gasket
- – Oil filter
- – Oil filter housing gasket
- – Oil drain plug
- – Timing cover gasket/sealant
- – Oil cooler pipes
A simple visual inspection can reveal any oil leaks in the engine. You will need to clean the engine thoroughly if you are unable to find it. Next, turn on the tool and look for leaks.
Gear Oil
The gear oil in many manual transmissions, differentials and axles are usually translucent and honey-coloured. Leak points are often:
- – Differential cover gasket
- – Output shaft seals
- Axle seals
- – Transmission cover gasket
You can usually detect a leaky gear oil by lifting the vehicle carefully and looking under it.
Fuel
Transparent fuels like diesel and gasoline are available. Because the fuel has an identifiable odor, it is easy to identify. You will often see a rainbow of colors if you shine a light onto a fuel leak. It is often found in amber, golden yellow and other bluish colors.
Fuel leaks should be checked under your vehicle.
- – Fuel lines
- – Fuel filter
- – Injectors or injector o-rings
- – Fuel tank
- – High pressure diesel fuel pump
You should not use your vehicle’s fuel if it has a leak. Fuel is explosive and highly flammable. Even a tiny spark can ignite.
The fuel tank may not be located at the back, but that does not necessarily mean it will leak. You can see fuel leaks anywhere from the tank to your engine.
Brake Fluid
The new brake fluid can be honey-colored, or translucent. Brake fluids can often smell like fish oil. Low brake fluid means a vehicle will not stop well and can be unsafe for driving. It is dangerous and should be avoided. It is important to immediately contact the nearest repair shop if there is a brake fluid leak.
These are the most common causes for brake fluid leaks:
- – Brake mastercylinder
- Hydraulic valves
- – Brake lines
- – Calipers
- Wheel rollers
- – Clutch master/slave cylinder (vehicles equipped with manual transmission)
It is usually simple to identify brake fluid leaks. It is important to remember to flush the brake system after any repairs are completed. You will lose the brakes on your vehicle if you do not do this.
Power Steering Fluid
Some vehicles use ATF (red automatic transmission fluid) as a power steering fluid. The power steering fluid is typically honey-coloured, translucent or light brown. It will not have the same odour as transmission oil or engine oil. However, it may have a sweet and slightly burnt smell. It has a medium to thin consistency. First, check the power steering reservoir. The steering wheel will groan if the hydraulic level is low, especially when the steering wheel is in tight turns or at low speeds.
These are the main causes of power steering leakage:
- – Power steering pump
- – Steering box
- – Steering fluid channels
A flashlight and good vision are all you need to find a power steering leak. After repairs are complete, you should bleed the power steering system.
Driving with low hydraulic levels for too long can result in permanent damage to your power steering system. This should not be done.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Red ATF is the most hazardous when it comes leaks. Automatic transmissions typically use red ATF. ATF in red can also be used in some vehicles’ power steering systems. ATF is oily and antifreeze slippery.
Avoid driving your car if you suspect that there is a transmission oil leak. Driving like this can cause more damage to your vehicle if the transmission oil level is low.
You can check the transmission fluid level on some vehicles by pulling the dipstick. Pulling the dipstick will allow you to check the level of transmission oil.
Cooling system
Many automakers now use organic (OAT), hybrid organic additives, or HOAT antifreezes. Hybrid antifreezes can be made from a combination of organic and non-organic antifreezes. Most organic antifreezes come in the colors red, green, orange, and pink. The liquid, which is made up of organic acids, enters the engine late. The life expectancy for organic antifreezes is approximately 200,000 km. Or 5 years.
Red antifreeze is used in some vehicles, such as Toyota, Nissan and Honda, Hyundai, Kia.
Transparent / Colorless Liquid
This
The good news: It is often water that drips from your car as a clear, transparent liquid. It is caused by condensation that forms when your air conditioner is on, especially during summer. In winter, condensation can also form in your exhaust pipe. Don’t worry! It’s perfectly normal.
Note: The transparent leak could result from water leaking from the windshield wiper reservoir.
Pink Liquid
Automatic Transmission Fluid
ATF is sometimes described as being pinkish-red in color. Your transmission may be leaking if you find a pinkish, oily liquid underneath your vehicle. Remember that ATF is also used in some cars’ power steering systems.
Cooling system
Toyota and other automakers use pinkish-red HOAT coolant.
Yellow Liquid
Cooling system
The yellow fluid is typically antifreeze. Ford, Chrysler, as well as other vehicle manufacturers, use yellow coolant on some models. Overheating can occur if the cooling system leaks. It is best to not drive this way in order to avoid engine damage.
Orange Liquid
Cooling System / Wiper Fluid
This orange liquid is typically organic (OAT), coolant. It has a slimy, slippery consistency. Some windshield wipers also contain orange-colored antifreeze and mixed water.
Blue Liquid
Windshield Wiper Fluid
A wiper blade leak could cause a blue liquid to drip from your car. All wiper fluids, with the exception of some mixtures, are blue. These are the most common causes for wiper fluid leaks:
- – Wiper water reservoir
- – Liquid lines
- – Nozzles
It is easy to detect and repair windshield wiper fluid leaks. Repairs are very safe and there is little chance of causing damage to the vehicle.
Cooling system
Some car manufacturers use blue antifreeze in their cooling systems.
Purple Liquid
Cooling system
Today’s antifreezes are available in a variety of colors, including purple. HOAT antifreezes with purple colors are used in a wide range of vehicles including those made by Mercedes-Benz, Audi and VW as well as Porsche.
Dark Brown / Black Liquid
Any liquid can cause dark brown liquid to leak from your car. Fresh liquids that are transparent and honey-colored (engine oils, gear oil, etc. ) tend to be translucent and honey-colored. Over time, oil can turn dark brown to black. This is not a sign that your oil has turned a dark brown or black color. This is a sign that the oil is performing its job properly. ATF fluid can also turn brown if it is left unattended.
A brown or black liquid is usually an indication of dirty engine oil. Check under the vehicle and under the hood. It is likely that the fluid is engine oil if it is sticking to the engine or dripping off the engine.
Before driving your vehicle, make sure to check the oil level. Driving with low oil levels can cause serious damage to your engine components.
