Car Diagnosis for the Non Mechanic

Cars are certainly complicated machines. They have what seems like a million parts and we all know that the more parts something has the more problems that can arise. While a good mechanic is a necessity for our cars, we can do a good job of self diagnosing the problems with three of our senses; sight, smell, and hearing. The diagnosis of the problem will help your car mechanic quickly locate the problem and thus save you money.

We'll use our eyes first. Check to see if there are any wet spots under your car after is has been parked for a few hours. If there are, you need to notice the color of the spots. Yellowish green, blue, or orange are almost always a sign of an antifreeze leak especially if you see the wet spot by the front of the car. You may have a leaky radiator or broken water pump. There may also be a leaky hose. A dark brown or black oily fluid is almost always engine oil. You probably have a bad gasket or bad seal somewhere around the engine. These repairs can be quite expensive, so be prepared. A red oily fluid usually means a transmission or power steering fluid leak. During the summer, you'll often see a clear, watery liquid on the ground. The good news is this is normal condensation from you car's air conditioner and of no concern. If you see any smoke of any kind, it's an immediate call to the car mechanic. Don't drive the car with the appearance of smoke as there is potential for huge problems as well as a danger for you. Have the car towed.

Using our nose is helpful. If you smell a burnt toast type odor, it usually means an electrical short of some kind. These repairs are a bugger to locate. A rotten egg smell shows a problem with the catalytic converter. This devise helps the car reduce harmful auto emissions. A thick, sharp odor is often burning oil. Check under the hood to see if there is any bluish smoke. This confirms an oil leak onto the hot engine. If you smell gas after you've unsuccessfully tried to start the car, it means the engine is flooded. This is an easy fix. Wait several minutes and try to start the car again. If the smell of gas continues and the car is running, it means there's a gas leak somewhere. If the smell has sweetness to it, it's usually a coolant leak. Keep an eye open for the engine temperature light or gauge if you have one. If you see steam coming from the hood of the car, that's another indication of leaking coolant.

Listening for noises can be very helpful. Whatever noise you hear, do you best to locate the source. If you have to get out of the car while the engine is running to locate the sound, do so. Pinpointing the source of the noise will help the mechanic find the problem. Also, do your best to describe the noise clearly. This will also help the mechanic locate the problem.