What Causes Water Leakage After the Car Chassis is Hit?
2 Answers
Water leakage after the car chassis is hit may be due to damage caused by the impact. If this situation occurs, it should be taken seriously, and the car should be immediately taken to a repair shop to inspect the damaged area where oil might be leaking, such as the engine oil filter, oil pan gasket, damaged sealing ring, or front and rear crankshaft oil seals. More details are as follows: 1. If the car chassis is hit, as long as the speed during the impact is not too fast and the sound of the scrape is not loud, the problem is usually not serious, and there is generally no major issue. However, if there is a loud "bang," it is highly likely that the oil pan has been dented or even punctured. 2. The oil pan is where the engine oil is stored. If all the oil leaks out, the engine, lacking lubrication, may experience cylinder scoring. Symptoms of cylinder scoring include: the vehicle losing power and difficulty accelerating; the engine temperature rising, unstable RPM, along with signs of stalling. 3. Whenever the car's chassis hits a rock or any obstacle while driving, it is essential to stop and check whether the oil pan (the oil storage compartment) is damaged and whether there is any oil leakage. If such a situation occurs, the car should be driven to the nearest repair shop as soon as possible. If there is no repair shop nearby, drive carefully while monitoring the oil warning light. If the oil light comes on, the vehicle must be stopped immediately to await assistance.
As a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience, I've seen many cases of fluid leakage after undercarriage impacts—most often due to damage to the cooling system. For instance, the radiator or coolant hoses might be punctured by rocks or road debris, leaking greenish or sweet-smelling antifreeze. It could also be engine oil leaking from a damaged oil pan, with the thick black fluid being particularly noticeable. Sometimes, it's just water draining from clogged exhaust system weep holes, which looks like clear water and isn't a major issue. The key is to immediately turn off the engine and check the leaking fluid: clear water might be normal drainage, but colored or odorous fluid is dangerous. Don't keep driving—last time, my friend continued driving after an undercarriage impact caused a leak, resulting in an overheated engine that cost tens of thousands to repair. I recommend avoiding potholes while driving. After an undercarriage scrape, crouch down and carefully observe the color of the leak. If needed, call for a tow truck to avoid unnecessary expenses and safety risks. Regularly inspecting the undercarriage protection plate during maintenance can also prevent problems.
