Why is My Car Leaking Water Underneath? [Reason + Fixes]

Many people panic when they notice a puddle of water underneath their car. Water leakage can occur on vehicles for various reasons, with their threat levels also different. 

A thorough diagnosis is necessary to understand if you have any cause for concern. Common reasons for a car leaking water underneath include;

1. Rainwater accumulation
2. Air conditioning byproduct
3. Leakage in cabin
4. Condensing from exhaust

6 Common Reasons for Car Leaking Water Underneath

Below are the most common reasons behind a car leaking water. Continue reading to understand how much risk they pose and why they occur. 

1. Excess from AC System

Water draining from the car’s lower part is normal when its air conditioning unit is operational. 

The system extracts the cabin’s moisture and regulates its inner temperature. Many vehicles have a drainage outlet that lets this moisture drop to the ground.

In most cases, the water people find leaking beneath a car results from the AC system letting the moisture out. This reason can be the root of the leak if the accumulation occurs rhythmically while the unit is running in the vehicle.  

2. Condensation from the Exhaust System

Gas coming from a car’s exhaust port often condenses naturally when they come in contact with the air outside. The process results in the formation of water vapor on its tailpipe. It starts to drip after a specific time and creates a puddle on the ground.

Generally, water vapor accumulates and drips from the car’s tailpipe once the metal cools down. 

There’s no reason to panic in this scenario, as it’s pretty normal. The leak will stop once you start to drive again, and the component becomes hot again.

Read also: Radiator Drain Plug Leaking – Causes, Reason & Fixes!

3. Rainwater Accumulation

Every car model has small open spaces in its bottom part. You might find stagnant water in various places on its chassis. 

A typical scenario is water dripping from these places for a while after driving your vehicle during heavy rainfall or through a puddle.

Drivers may experience something similar if they drive their car through a car wash. It can also happen while washing its undercarriage at home. There’s no threat in this scenario as long as the leakage stops eventually and the performance feels alright. 

4. Windshield Detergent Leakage

Sometimes, many drivers confuse the leakage of a car’s various fluids with that of water. The most common misconception people make in this case is with windshield fluid. This liquid functions as a detergent and removes dirt from the front window. 

Windshield fluids are usually present in a vessel beneath the hood. Whenever the container gets damaged, the liquid can leak beneath the car. Usually, people can identify it because it gives off a blue tint. 

Windshield fluid leakage is significantly riskier than that water leaks. This product is highly flammable. Therefore, there is a risk of fire damage and harmful accidents occurring due to it spilling.

5. Water Internally Leaking

One of the more problematic cases is if the car’s cabin experiences any form of leak. Parts failure or internal damage can cause floods inside the vehicle. If the situation worsens, the water might start to leak outside.  

Possible areas that can cause water leakage include door jams and the trunk. It’s difficult to notice this leak unless the car is idle. 

A quick way to identify it is through a damp odor. Lastly, the water might be noticeable audibly when the car moves around.

6. Coolant Leakage

Many people often mistake coolants for water. The main reason behind the confusion is this product is typically mixed with water and antifreeze. Therefore, adding water to its reservoir is also a common mistake.

Coolants are essential for temperature regulation in the car’s cabin and engine. A lack of this substance will cause the vehicle to overheat and break down. The ideal way to identify if you have this issue is by checking the temperature gauge.

Furthermore, coolants have a few physical features that make them easily distinguishable from water. 

It has a different color and has a sweet smell. If the exhaust produces white smoke and leaks liquid alongside it, it’s a sign of coolant leakage.

Read also: Power Steering Fluid Leaking Fast: Causes, Consequences & Fixes

Tips for Water Leakage Beneath Cars

Fixing water leaks under cars is easy and hassle-free. All you have to do is follow the steps given below and you will solve this problem in a matter of minutes!

1. Identify the Liquid

Various fluids can leak from the car depending on which component is affected. If the liquid is water, then the risks are little to none. On the other hand, your vehicle might be in real danger if it’s other fluids like cleaning substances or coolant.

The easiest way to notice what type of liquid leaks is by noticing the color. Water has a clear body and is easy to distinguish. On the other hand, coolants usually have an orange, green, or yellow color. Lastly, engine oil is black in color.

If the liquid dripping isn’t water, the car can be at risk of multiple issues ranging from system failure to fire hazards. In that scenario, you must hire a mechanic to fix the leakage immediately.

2. Find the Source

After finding out which liquid is leaking from the car, it’s time to identify the component responsible for it. Put some cardboard beneath the car and notice the location where the drips are concentrated. 4.

If the water is coming out of the front portion of the car, then it’s a sign that it’s a byproduct of the air conditioning system. On the other hand, water dripping from behind results from condensation in the exhaust.

3. Conduct Repairs

Once you find the part that is causing the leak, you must conduct repairs immediately. Otherwise, you risk major damage to the car. It’s best to hire a professional mechanic for this bit since proper skills are necessary to fix leakages.

4. Test the Car

It’s vital to test the car thoroughly once the repairs are complete to understand if the car is truly free from danger. Place a cardboard piece beneath the vehicle to see if the liquid is still dripping. If no fluid drops are found, then it can be concluded that the problem is solved. 

FAQs

Conclusion

Water leakage from the car isn’t something to worry about due to its little to no risk. However, the situation can be more dire than most car owners think due to the chances of other liquids leaking, which look eerily similar to water.

It’s important to study the nature of the liquid dripping from the car to understand if they are water or another fluid. If it turns out to be coolant or windshield cleaner, then it’s best to have a mechanic repair the car immediately to prevent further damage.