What Does It Mean When Water Drips Under the Car?
2 Answers
When water drips under a sedan, it is necessary to observe whether the air conditioning is on and whether the coolant is missing. Water discharged from the air conditioning system: If water drips under the car only after the air conditioning has been running for a while, this is a normal phenomenon. This happens because during the operation of the air conditioning, moisture in the cabin condenses on the evaporator, forming water droplets, which are then discharged outside the vehicle through a drain pan and drainage pipe. Pipe leakage: It could be that the windshield washer pipe has been damaged due to scraping against the chassis. In this case, it can be replaced at a repair shop. Cooling system leakage: If the water is colored, it indicates a leakage in the cooling system, which should be inspected and repaired. Check whether the coolant in the radiator is missing, inspect the cooling system pipes for looseness or damage, and examine the bottom of the radiator for any scratches from grounding.
When I see water dripping under the car, I don't get too nervous because most of the time it's just condensate water discharged normally by the air conditioning system. This is particularly common in summer after using the AC, and it's completely normal for water to drip from the AC drain pipe. However, if the dripping liquid has an unusual color, such as green or a sweet-smelling fluid, it might be coolant leakage, which is serious and could damage the engine. Other possibilities include water dripping from the exhaust pipe or leakage from the windshield washer tank, but these usually involve small amounts of odorless liquid. I recommend checking the location and color of the dripping after parking. If it's colorless and transparent, just relax. If there's an issue, head to the repair shop immediately to check the electrical circuits or seals—don't delay.