Identifying Leaks From Your Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM or FIAT - North York Serving Greater Toronto

"Leaks never fix themselves they only get worse".-Ren Volpe

You can identify most leaks by color, smell, thickness and their position under your vehicle, whether it be a Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM or FIAT. Some leaks will require immediate attention from your Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM and FIAT service and repair specialist, while others can wait for your regular scheduled maintenance.



(The black or dark brown spots) -These leaks are either engine oil or gear oil.

Generally leaks from engine oil are a series of black spots. The locations should correspond with the front or the back of your engine.

If you ever find puddles of engine oil under your vehicle, contact your service specialist. Your engine could suffer major damage if this is left unchecked.

Leaks from gear oil are thicker, like molasses, and have a slightly foul or sulfuric smell. Gear oil leaks generally come from your front axle, or manual transmission.

(The green, blue, or orange spots) -most likely coolant

If you find green spots on your garage floor its probably engine coolant. Coolant can also be blue, orange, and pinkish red. Look under the hood at your transparent coolant reservoir to see what color your vehicle uses.

Coolant leaks can result in engine overheating. If you suspect you have a coolant leak, wait until the engine is cool and check if the coolant is below ADD. If so, top it off and visit your service specialist as soon as it is convenient.(refer to vehicle's owners Manual for more information.)

Coolant leaks can come from your radiator, reservoir tank. Hoses, water pump, or heater.

(The read spots)-The hardest leaks to identify are the reddish-brown reddish-pink leaks

A red, longer-life coolant is now used in many Chrysler Dodge Jeep vehicles. Check the transparent coolant reservoir to see if your coolant is red and if so, test your red leak for a slightly sweet smell.

A transmission fluid leak is also a possibility. This leak generally appears as spots on your garage floor between the front seats(rear-wheel-drive vehicle) or the front wheels(front-wheel-drive vehicle)

Transmission leaks are pink or reddish brown depending on the age of the fluid.
The most common source of transmission fluid leaks is a leaking seal, gasket, or fluid line.

A transfer case leak can appear honey brown or reddish in color.

Transfer case oil leaks will appear honey brown or reddish in color.

Transfer case lube leaks will be honey brown in color, and have a more oily smell then other leaks.

A power steering fluid leak is the least common of the red leaks. It is either pink or pinkish brown.

While it is hard to distinguish between the red leaks, its easy to know what action to take: Speak to your service specialist as soon as possible.

The clear or transparent leaks

Brake fluid is easiest of the clear or transparent leaks to identify. If your brake pedal feels spongy or your brake Warning Light illuminates, you probably have a brake fluid leak.

Brake fluid leaks are clear or slightly amber-colored and they smell bitter. They tend to appear under the master cylinder (near the steering wheel) or near wheels.

A brake fluid leak will impact braking effectiveness, and could even result in brake failure, so contact your service specialist as soon as possible.

Some transmission fluids and power steering fluids are also clear. If the leak does not smell bitter, it could be either of these.

Finally, if you find a puddle below the front-passenger foot area during the summer, don't worry. It is probably just normal condensation draining from your AC system.

"By the time you notice fluid leakage on your driveway or garage floor, the leak may be large enough and serious enough to need immediate repair. You can spot leakage early, however, and avoid costly damage and inconvenience" - www.csaa.com

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