HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-10-31, Page 17THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013. PAGE 17. Leaky car? Identify the problem, then fix it
MS –Very often drivers find that
the seats or the mats below their feet
are damp or downright sopping wet.
But unless a window or sunroof was
left open during a rainstorm, drivers
may find it difficult to decipher why
their vehicles are suddenly soaked.
Unfortunately, when a vehicle’s
interior is wet, that could be a sign of
a significant problem, one that can
gradually worsen over time. Wetness
can cause electrical components or
metal structures in the car to rot, and
a soggy interior may eventually be
overcome by mold. It is best to find
out what is causing the leak as soon
as possible and have the problem
fixed just as quickly.
Finding the source of a leak is not
always easy. Sometimes drivers can
locate it themselves and then fix the
problem on their own, while more
serious problems might need to be
handled by a professional. But it is
best to assess the situation before
booking an appointment with your
mechanic.
Cars can spring a leak for a variety
of reasons. Leaks from systems
under the hood, as well as rainwater
or water from washing the car, can
infiltrate the interior if seals around
doors and/or windows are broken or
gaskets are worn out. Figuring out
which type of liquid is entering your
vehicle can help you determine
what’s behind the leak.
A clear, slippery liquid under the
seats may be indicative of a leak in
the brake fluid reservoir. Brake fluid
is a liquid used in the braking system
to apply hydraulic pressure from the
master cylinder to the calipers to the
pads against the wheel drums. If you
discover brake fluid, check the
master cylinder or the clutch master
cylinder to see if there is a leak or
spillover of the fluid.
Coolant also can leak under the
dashboard and into the foot wells of
a car. Coolant is a sticky, green and
sweet-smelling fluid. A coolant leak
could mean that a heater core or hosein the cooling system is leaking. In
such instances, hoses may need to be
replaced.
Some vehicles have water
diverters on the sides of their
windshields to make sure water
flows off of the windshield when the
wipers are in use. Also, the trough
where the wipers rest should have a
sealant that prevents water from
entering at the base of the
windshield. Over time, both can
wear out and may need to be
replaced and resealed. Try sitting in
the car on a dry day and spraying a
hose on the windshield. See if any
water eventually makes it inside of
the car. If it does, the windshield is
likely the reason your vehicle’s
interior is getting wet.
A clogged drain in a vehicle’s
heating, ventilation and air
conditioning system is one of the
more common causes of interior
water damage. If the drain is
clogged, condensation from the
system cannot drain from the tube.
In such instances, water backs up
into the system and can actually
blow out of the car vents or
elsewhere in the vehicle, forming a
pool on the floor of the car. Leaves
or debris can cause a blockage. If
excess water is left in the HVAC
system, it can damage the blower
motor. Also, a faulty seal that is
located between the HVAC case and
the firewall of the vehicle may cause
water to leak into the passenger
compartment under the carpet.
In some cases, cleaning blockeddrains in a vehicle’s HVAC system
may be as simple as blowing
compressed air through the vents or
using a wire to clear out leaves or
dirt. Other times it may be hard to
access the leaks, and such instances
are often best left to a mechanic.The causes of leaks in a car are not
always so easy to diagnose. But it is
important to figure out where the
water is coming from early on to
minimize the damage water can do
to your vehicle.
Clog it up
If your car is leaking, it could be a number of things. First,
identify what the problem is and once that has been done,
make sure it doesn’t happen again. (MS photo)
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224,202 kms
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2006 Ford Ranger XL -grey, 4L, V6, air, cruise, bucket seats, ext. cab, 4x4, 271,603 kms . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,995.
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2004 Ford F150 XLT Super Crew -blue/silver, 4.6L, loaded, 4 door, 4x4, 226,818 kms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,495.
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2003 Dodge Durango SLT - grey, 4.7L, loaded, AWD, 4x4, leather interior, 251,851 kms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,495.
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2002 GMC Sierra SLE Z71 -white, 5.3L, 4x4, ext. cab, loaded, 230,456 kms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6,995.
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37117 Blyth Road,
Goderich, ON
vernsauto@eastlink.ca 519-357-1997
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40486 B-Line Road,
Wingham
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