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Water Leak from Unknown Area


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cahm8791
User

Sep 8, 2019, 5:55 AM

Post #1 of 4 (861 views)
Water Leak from Unknown Area Sign In

Hey everyone, this forum has helped me a lot and I have another question with a possibly very simple, obvious answer. This morning, I got in my car and when I backed up, I noticed a 6" by 6" spot under where my car had been. I was in a hurry to get to work and the whole time my mind is going "great, an oil leak or worse" When I got to work, I had time to spare so I looked under the car. I used my flashlight and saw a "steady drip of fluid from back behind the engine. I grabbed a trash bag and finally caught some of the fluid. I instantly could tell it was pure water by the feel, smell and color. My coolant system is full of the green antifreeze mixture, so my heart calmed down knowing it's not oil, antifreeze or transmission fluid. However, I know common reasons for water dripping; AC condensation, water from fuel combustion (but that would come from the tailpipe) and possibly windshield wiper fluid leak. It's so far back under my car that I can't get under there to see exactly where it is coming from. I strongly feel it is not windshield wiper issues. My strongest bet would be the AC but I have not been running the AC. The mornings are on the chilly side, upper 50's-low 60's so I just run my defroster on medium temperature to clear up my windshield and get a little warmth. I'm confused and worried a little, but maybe there is a very easy answer that is something I can't think of and Google can't find. My car is a 2010 Hyundai Sonata BTW.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Sep 8, 2019, 6:46 AM

Post #2 of 4 (852 views)
Re: Water Leak from Unknown Area Sign In

If you used defog or defroster setting most A/C compressors will work also and make condensate/water. It will only at certain temps/dewpoints but is designed to run both some idea it dries out the air and exercise for the compressor off season.
Don't taste the water gather it on something watch it dry prove it's just water not anything else. Use washer fluid with color will leave evidence also help prevent lines for that from problems use year round.
Good of you to watch where you parked (I do all the time) wonder if mine or another car unless it's YOUR spot then it's YOURS - find it!


Keep watching catch things early some like I said are normal you just didn't notice other conditions you wouldn't, Tom



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Sep 8, 2019, 6:49 AM

Post #3 of 4 (852 views)
Re: Water Leak from Unknown Area Sign In

What you saw when you got to work was definitely condensation from the AC drain and completely normal.

However, I doubt that is what was on the ground when you left home. Water will evaporate very quickly and if the car had been there for any period of time, condensation would be gone. When you go home you need to determine just what that is on the ground so you can determine what is leaking before it causes any damage.



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cahm8791
User

Sep 8, 2019, 7:00 AM

Post #4 of 4 (848 views)
Re: Water Leak from Unknown Area Sign In

All right guys. I had a strong feeling it was a harmless situation. It's just with recent repairs, more problems, etc, I'm super paranoid about even the smallest things! I was not aware about the AC system's involvement even when running defroster.
I thought about that part Hammer Time, about why the puddle was there. The only thing I can think of is A. There is another leak, (I have a trash bag under my car for my 12 hour shift and that should capture anything falling down.) or B. I got home last night around 11pm and it got cold and rainy and I went out to my car this morning around 5:30am and the ground was still wet in some spots so maybe it didn't evaporate in that short period of time? I just checked the trash bag and there is about 2 tablespoons of pure water in one spot with no other fluids visible. or C. When I'm gone to work, someone may park on the street in that spot and I hadn't noticed the spot before from their car? None the less, I will check the spot when I get home and keep watching my car like a hawk!






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