Table of Contents
Car leaking green fluid: Imagine that it is a beautiful sunny day and you are in a good mood. As he walks to his car, he notices a green puddle below. Uh oh. What could leaking green fluid from a car mean?
This shouldn’t take too much detective work to figure out, since the only green liquid in your car is coolant. But if it’s on the ground, it could be a sign that something is wrong. Here’s how to check where that green liquid is coming from.
A HOSE SITUATION
First, you’ll want to check the hoses, but make sure you do it while the engine is cold. Locate the hoses that go to and from the radiator. Check for cracks or discoloration (especially green-tinged discoloration). Then take the hose with both hands and twist it gently. Does the hose seem brittle? Do the pieces crack or peel? Is your hand a little wet (or green)? You may have found the problem.
This is the simplest reason for a car green fluid leak and the easiest to repair. If you already do basic maintenance on your car (oil changes, etc.), installing a new hose is an easy DIY job.
Once you’re done, remember to fill up the coolant tank – you’ve lost something, and your car engine needs every drop of protection.
THE HOSES ARE INTACT. AND NOW THAT?
If the hoses look fine, then the problem is elsewhere. Start the car, then look under it while it’s running to see if coolant is starting to leak, how much fluid is there, and where it’s coming from. (Don’t touch anything, it gets hot down there). What you are doing at this point is trying to narrow down what you are going to say to your mechanic. Use your cell phone to take a video of the leak.
If you can’t see a leak, don’t assume it’s not your coolant in the ground. Check coolant overflow tank. If it’s below the fill line, fill it up, run or drive the car for a while and check the level again. If it drops noticeably, there is a problem.
WHAT ELSE COULD IT BE?
Assuming the hoses and connections are fine, it’s likely a corrosion problem – the radiator itself, or more commonly the core plug, needs to be fixed or replaced. To resolve the issue, call your mechanic, as engine damage from coolant loss is worse than simply flushing the radiator.
Once you’ve handled this, be sure to check your coolant reservoir and other fluids every week or so. That should help you catch problems while they’re still small.
YOUR VEHICLE’S FLUID LEAK GUIDE
Stringer Auto Repair will provide you with an automotive fluid color guide below to help you when you need it. You never know when your car, truck, UV, or van is going to have a leak. In order to determine if your car is safe to continue driving, you need to be able to determine the fluid that is leaking.
Blue
The blue fluid leaking from your engine is the windshield cleaning solution. Rarely, you may have blue antifreeze/engine coolant, so check the color of this auto fluid to make sure it isn’t blue as well. If not, your car has a windshield washer fluid leak. It’s okay to drive it.
Brown
It is not okay to drive your car if it is leaking brown fluid. Brown fluid is commonly dirty brake fluid, gear or motor oil, or transmission fluid. If any of these fluids are leaking from your car, it’s probably not safe to drive. Especially if you see a big puddle on your garage floor.
Green/Green-Blue
Green or blue-green fluid is usually antifreeze/engine coolant. Do not drive your car if it is leaking refrigerant. As coolant leaks from the cooling system, the engine will begin to overheat. This can cause you additional damage.
Orange
The orange fluid is probably a coolant that is contaminated with corrosion. One of the most common problems that older cars suffer from is a rusty radiator. Rust causes radiator fluid to appear orange in many cases. Don’t drive your car.
Pink
Don’t drive your car if you also see pink spots on your garage floor. In most cases, pink fluid means that the transmission oil and engine coolant are mixing together to create what looks like a strawberry milkshake. Driving your car will damage it beyond repair.
Red
Brake fluid is sometimes red, so check your reservoir to see if your brake fluid is red or brown. Other red fluids in your car are power steering fluid and transmission oil. Driving your car with any of these fluids coming out of it could be dangerous.
Yellow
Finally, the antifreeze/coolant may be yellow. In fact, this fluid comes in many different colors, so again, check your overflow reservoir when your engine is cold to see what color your antifreeze/engine coolant is.
FLUID LEAKS FROM YOUR CAR? THIS COULD LEAD YOU TO THE POSSIBLE CAUSE
The average adult human body is made up of 60% water. Our cells not only need water to live, but it is vital for tissues and organs such as the heart, liver and brain to function properly. That’s why most people can’t go more than three to four days without water.
Similarly, your car also has a variety of crucial fluids. These fluids keep it running properly and need to be checked regularly to make sure they are at proper levels. Otherwise, your car will fail like a human body without water over time.
So what happens if your car has a fluid leak? The color can actually be a good indicator of what is causing the leak. You can learn what to do with each of the most common colors of fluid that leaks from your car, from standard colors like black and brown to more bizarre colors like pink or neon green.
YELLOW LIQUID LEAK FROM YOUR CAR
Usually, you will find a yellow fluid leak in the front of your car or in the car engine. (Or, you might see yellow snow under your car during one of our notorious Ohio winters and think it’s something else.) The possible cause of this could be your radiator, specifically, the radiator coolant.
You could be using the wrong type of coolant; Or, it could have a damaged o-ring or clamp. You may also need to flush your radiator. Either way, you should probably have your air conditioning (A/C) system checked with a diagnostic test.
CLEAR FLUID LEAKING FROM YOUR CAR
Many Clevelanders see a clear, odorless fluid that resembles water leaking from their cars. It is not to worry; usually not a problem! Why? Your air conditioning system creates condensation, which may look like a leak, but is usually not a cause for concern. If you still want it checked, ask for a diagnostic on your air conditioning system.
GREEN FLUID LEAKS FROM YOUR CAR
No, an injured little alien isn’t stuck in your car somewhere. If a green liquid is leaking from your car, antifreeze is usually the culprit. Either you’re using the wrong type, or one of your car’s components, like a hose or clamp, is wearing out or isn’t attached correctly. However, on occasion, there may be a leak of green fluid from your car that is not antifreeze. Those issues are best resolved by bringing your car in for some diagnostics.
LEAKING RED FLUID FROM YOUR CAR
Whether you notice red fluid leaking from your car after an accident or randomly one day in the driveway, this is usually a sign that your car has a transmission fluid leak. . This fluid is necessary to keep the transmission properly lubricated and to keep everything running smoothly. To learn more about the nature of transmission fluid, read our topic on knowing when to change your transmission fluid.
There could also be a problem with the power steering. In either case, you’ll want to take it to a Cleveland area auto repair shop to make sure the transmission cooler return line is properly sealed.
PINK LIQUID LEAK FROM YOUR CAR
Pink. It’s a pretty color, isn’t it? Not when it comes to fluid leaks from your car. Similar to red fluid, this is a good indicator that you have a problem with your drivetrain or power steering system. Again, there could be a leak in the return line or a hole in the transmission seal. The best thing you can do is get it checked out.
ORANGE LIQUID IS COMING OUT OF YOUR CAR
We all like the color orange, right? After all, it is one of the main colors of the Cleveland Browns. However, it’s not that great when it comes to car fluids. While many people think the brake fluid is the culprit, it actually tends to be the drive system or antifreeze. The former may look orange if it is old; the latter happens when there is rust on your radiator. It is probably time for routine maintenance to change or diagnose it.
PURPLE FLUID LEAKING FROM YOUR CAR
It is not very common, purple fluid leaking from your car indicates that you should check your antifreeze. Or it could be something as simple as windshield washer fluid that has discolored somehow. Make sure you are using the correct antifreeze and keep an eye on it. Taking it somewhere never hurts, either.
BROWN FLUID LEAKING FROM YOUR CAR
Brown (or light brown, for that matter) fluid leaking from your car may be a sign of an oil leak. Does the liquid have a bad smell, like rotten eggs or sulfur? It could be gear lube if that’s the case. Or it could be motor oil if it’s burning. You definitely want to schedule a leak diagnosis if you think it might be motor oil or gear oil.
LEAKING BLACK FLUID FROM YOUR CAR
Often black in color (but really dark brown), this type of fluid could be a sign of a serious problem with your brake fluid. Or it could be motor oil that has actually aged and darkened over time. It would be a good idea to bring it along to be sure, especially if it’s brake fluid. In fact, it’s better to get a complete evaluation of the brake system.
NEON GREEN LIQUID LEAKS FROM YOUR CAR
Now for the strangest color: neon green. Does this mean that you are about to develop superhuman powers? Unfortunately not. It is likely to be something similar to what you would find with a yellow or green liquid. Think antifreeze or coolants. The good news is that neon green fluid leaks are easy to spot. However, if you have a new vehicle, you should have it checked especially since newer cars are required to recycle coolants.
Has your car overheated recently?
If you experience overheating during normal driving, this is a good sign that something might be wrong with your cooling system. Overheating is usually due to a coolant leak, which means the system is unable to effectively keep the engine cool.
Overheating can damage components inside the engine compartment, and continuous leaks are not good for anything in the system. It is important to review the problem as soon as it is detected to determine the severity. We will talk about this in more depth below.
Can I drive with a leak in the car radiator?
Depending on the cause of the leak, you may be able to drive away with a cooler for a short time. Eventually, a lack of coolant will cause your car to overheat, which in turn can lead to damage to various components in the engine compartment. That’s why it’s a good idea to stop and inspect the problem as soon as you notice it.
Signs and Symptoms of Leaking Radiator
Some key indicators that your radiator may be leaking include;
- Peak temperature gauge (if car has one)
- Overheating
- Coolant pooling under your car
- Sweet smell
- Low coolant in radiator
Sometimes the leak can be small and you may be slowly losing coolant. If that’s the case, you probably won’t notice until the car overheats. So it’s a good idea to check your coolant levels regularly to see if you need a top-up or are losing coolant frequently. This can help prevent overheating or alert you to a potential complication early on.
Causes of Radiator Leaks
There are a number of reasons why your radiator may leak, some more serious than others. If you notice any of these, please notify your nearest Natrad as soon as possible;
- malfunction – The radiator cap maintains the required pressure within the cooling system. Without it, coolant can boil or leak from the radiator.
- Broken or disconnected hoses – This one is pretty obvious. Over time, radiator hoses can crack or become disconnected, which can lead to coolant leaks. This will likely leave a puddle under your car, and luckily it’s a fairly easy fix if nothing else is wrong.
- radiator: corrosion breaks a radiator and causes deterioration of materials. This can allow coolant to leak where the metal has weakened.
- Header Tank Leak – Sometimes weak stress points, like where the header tank meets the radiator, can get punctured or cracked. This can allow coolant to escape.
If you have identified a leak in a car radiator, speaking with a Natrad refrigeration specialist can help you determine how serious the leak is. It could be just as easy to replace a few hoses or hose clamps as it is to replace the entire cooling system.
If you find this post on car leaking green fluid helpful to you and you want to know more about car fluid knowledge, please check more on our website Auto Oil And Fluid. Thank you for your interest!