Leaks are an engine fault you can see
Most engine problems arrive as a sound, a feeling or a warning light, and they have to be described. Leaks are the exception. They leave evidence on the ground, and reading it before you call saves time once the vehicle is in.
Park on clean, dry concrete overnight, or slide a piece of cardboard under the engine, and look in the morning. The color and position of what you find narrow it down quickly.
- Brown or black, under the engine. Usually engine oil, from a gasket, a seal or the drain plug.
- Green, orange or pink, toward the front. Usually coolant, which is a cooling system matter.
- Red, under the middle. Often transmission fluid.
- Clear and watery, under the front passenger area. Usually condensation from the A/C, which is normal.
Take a photo of the spot, note where it was, and bring that information when you book.
Why a small oil leak is still worth fixing
A few drops a day sounds harmless. Two things make it worth attention. Oil that drips onto hot exhaust parts produces a burning smell and, in the worst case, a fire risk. An engine that slowly loses oil between changes can run low without the driver knowing, and low oil is a much more expensive fault than the gasket that caused it.
Check the dipstick between changes on a vehicle that leaks, and top up with the correct oil until the repair is done.
What this store covers
Diagnosis and engine repair, alongside cooling system work and oil changes at the same address. Confirm the vehicle type when you book. The national engine repair page covers what the warning light does and does not report.
About this store
The Tucson store runs seventeen services and is managed by Mark Laster.
See the national engine repair page for all 33 locations.