Why is My Car AC Leaking Water?

Despite the way it may look, your car leaking water from the AC is usually not serious. Whenever you activate the air conditioning, it creates a bit of condensation, which can present as a small puddle of water. If you see small puddles like these near the back of the engine compartment, that’s probably the cause. You might also see a bit of water collecting near the tailpipe, which is exhaust condensation that goes away after your muffler warms up.

Although it’s perfectly normal for a car to be leaking water, there are some other more serious issues related to fluid leaks. It’s a good idea to know a bit about where fluids leak from and what color these fluids tend to be, so you can identify a problem if it arises. The service team at Mercedes-Benz of Warwick has more information in the guide below.

Where is My Car Leaking Water From?

If you see water leaking from under your car or anywhere else, it’s essential that you find the source. Just follow these steps:

• Place a sheet of paper under the leak to see if the fluid is water or something else. Water will present as clear, while a different kind of fluid will show up as a color. Blue, green, or yellow fluid is most likely coolant (see below for more details).
• If you’re seeing more than just a small puddle leaking from your exhaust, you may have a blown gasket that is burning coolant alongside fuel. If this is the case, you’ll also see a lot of white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe.
• Are your coolant levels lower than usual due to a leak? If so, it’s important that you bring your car to a certified service center as soon as possible for a top-off.
• Leaks can also be traced back to a cracked windshield wiper fluid reservoir–this can happen if you add water to your wiper fluid, since the water freezes and expands. Windshield wiper fluid is often light blue or light green, and leaks related to a cracked reservoice are usually found near the front tires.

What Fluid is Leaking from My Car?

If you’ve found that your car is leaking a different color fluid than water, you’re probably wondering what exactly is leaking from your car. Here’s a quick guide to the most common vehicle fluids and their colors:

• Red – Transmission Fluid or Power Steering Fluid
• Orange – Transmission Fluid or Radiator Coolant
• Yellow – Radiator Coolant
• Green – Antifreeze from Water Pump, Hoses, or Radiator
• Blue – Windshield Wiper Fluid
• Dark Brown – Brake Fluid or Older Engine Oil
• Light Brown – Newer Engine Oil or Gear Lubricant
• Pink – Power Steering Fluid or Transmission Fluid

Visit Mercedes-Benz of Warwick in Warwick for Service

If you’ve found that your car AC is leaking water in higher-than-average quantities or if any other part of your vehicle is leaking fluid, go ahead and schedule a service appointment with Mercedes-Benz of Warwick. We’ll have your vehicle fixed up and back on the Cranston roads in no time. Feel free to contact our office with any questions, or stop by our dealership to talk to a member of our service team in person.