There are several sources of water leaks in automobiles and each kind is dealt with in a slightly different manner.

The first type is water coming into the interior of the car when it is raining. This usually indicates a weather-stripping problem. Around every window and door in your car is a rubber seal. These seals and the adhesives used with them are called the weather-stripping of the car. This type of leak is best dealt with by the car dealer or by an automotive trim shop. To help them locate the leak, you will need to be as precise as you can about when it happens and exactly where the leak occurs. These types of leaks were very common and very frustrating in the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s especially in convertibles, but with the advent of modern rubbers and plastics they have almost disappeared.

Another type of leak that affects the interior of the vehicle is most often noticed as a soggy floor mat or water dripping from under the dashboard. There are two possible sources for this. If the water is cold and the problem seems worse when the air conditioner is being used, then most likely you have a clogged air conditioning drain tube. Under the dash is a small radiator-like object called an evaporator that attaches to the air conditioning compressor. The evaporator becomes cold when in use and air is blown across it to produce the cold breeze from the air conditioning vents. As the warm air passes over the evaporator and is chilled, it also causes the evaporator to sweat, the same way a cold glass of water sweats on a hot day. This water drains from the evaporator through a rubber tube onto the ground. If this tube becomes blocked, the water overflows into the passenger compartment. The dealership or any repair shop can unblock this tube easily and the problem will disappear.

If the dripping water is hot, you have a more serious problem. There is another small radiator-like object under your dash known as a heater core. Hot water from your engine flows through this device and air passed over it becomes warm and heats up your car in the winter. Occasionally, heater cores develop leaks and must be removed and repaired. Because of its location under the dash, removing and replacing it can be a chore but any competent radiator repair shop can do the job for you. If you take it out yourself, you can take it to the shop for repair.

Puddles and drips that appear underneath the car can also have a variety of sources. Remember what we said about the air conditioning evaporator drain above? It is normal for an air conditioned car to drip water when the air conditioner is being used. So the first thing to do is drive the car for a while without using the air conditioner and see if the leak goes away. If so, then there’s probably nothing to worry about.

Sometimes you might notice water dripping from underneath or near the car doors. You may also hear a sloshing sound when you turn or go over bumps. This indicates water trapped inside the body panels. The cause again is a plugged drain. If you park the car on level ground and note where the water is dripping from, there will probably be a small drain hole somewhere nearby. Use a small screwdriver or some pointed object to clean out this hole. This should let the trapped water run out and solve the problem at least temporarily. You may have to repeat this operation at regular intervals to keep the drain clean. If you can’t locate the drain, take the car to a dealer and ask them to show you where the drain holes are located.

The remaining leak source is the car’s cooling system. To locate these leaks, put down some clean cardboard or newspaper in the area where you normally park the car. Drive the car until it has reached normal operating temperature, and then park it over the cardboard. In a few hours, you should see evidence of the leak. The fluid should be clear (water) or green (antifreeze). Any other color indicates a leak of some other fluid. The location of the puddle on the cardboard will help you locate where the leak is on the engine.

Engine coolant (water or antifreeze) flows through the engine and radiator and through the hoses that connect them. The most likely source of a leak is one of the hoses. If the drips appear to be coming from the end of a hose, simply tightening the hose clamp with a screwdriver may solve the problem. If the leak appears to be elsewhere professional assistance is probably necessary. The leak stopping products that you can buy at auto stores are usually only marginally effective and are temporary solutions at best. Better to have the problem fixed right than find yourself on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck.

As a last note let me say that the most common cause of roadside emergencies is a broken radiator hose. Manufacturers recommend replacing your hoses every four years. Besides being inconvenient, overheating can cause serious damage to your engine so the small cost of replacing the hoses periodically is cheap insurance.

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