Is the Water Dripping Under the Car from the Air Conditioner or a Damaged Radiator?
1 Answers
Whether the water dripping under the car is from the air conditioner or a damaged radiator mainly depends on whether the air conditioner is in use. If the car is using the air conditioner, a small amount of dripping water is normal, as it is the condensate from the air conditioner. If the air conditioner is not in use and water leakage is observed, a radiator leak should be considered: check if the radiator cap is properly secured. Try pumping air into the radiator to see where the water seeps out under pressure, then decide on a repair plan. Unscrew the engine oil filler cap to check for signs of emulsified oil; if found, disassemble the engine to replace the cylinder head gasket. The reason for air conditioner water is that the evaporator box in the air conditioning system cools down, causing the warm air inside the car to condense into water droplets, which then flow out through the drain pipe. Radiator leaks usually occur below the radiator, i.e., between the car's front bumper and the engine, and the dashboard will typically issue a warning. If the water is colored, it indicates a leak in the cooling system, and the vehicle should be inspected. If the car is stationary for a while and clean, transparent water is observed, this is not a malfunction, as the engine coolant is usually antifreeze (green, red, or blue).
