Our Top Tips to Manage Vehicle Fluid Leaks

by Dan Ankney

When working with vehicles of any type, there’s always the possibility of a liquid release. This is complicated by the fact that vehicles contain a large variety of fluids such as oils, fuels, coolants, battery acid and windshield washer fluid.

How can we simplify vehicle fluid cleanup? The first step is easy—universal absorbents can be used for all the liquids in a vehicle except for battery acid. Battery acid can be cleaned up with hazmat chemical absorbents.

Another complication to vehicle spills is that vehicles travel and are often stored outdoors. This means that rain and snowmelt can pose an issue as well. Universal absorbents would be wasted trying to absorb the water and snowmelt. In this case, oil-only absorbents can repel the water and absorb the oil-based liquids, including motor oil, fuel (gas or diesel), brake fluid and transmission fluid.

The chart below will help identify what type of fluid is leaking and where the leak may be located. The location of the fluid will differ depending on the type, make and model of the vehicle.

Find the right spill kit to outfit your fleet.

SHOP SPILL KITS

Fluid	Location	Color	Recommended Absorbent
Anti-freeze/coolant	Coolant is housed in the radiator and coolant reservoir. It is circulated through the engine.	Green or orange/red	Universal
Engine oil	Engine oil is housed and circulated through the vehicle's engine.	Golden brown	Universal or Oil-Only
Brake fluid	Brake fluid is housed in the master cylinder reservoir and circulated through the brake lines to the calipers.	Yellow	Universal or Oil-Only
Transmission fluid	Transmission fluid is housed in the transmission and circulated through the radiator (transmission cooler).	Red	Universal or Oil-Only
Gear oil	Gear/differential oil is contained in the vehicle's differential. Depending on the car, this could be located in the front, center, or rear of the vehicle.	Golden brown	Universal or Oil-Only
Windshield washer fluid	Windshield washer fluid is housed in the washer fluid reservoir. It is circulated to the front and possibly the rear windshield.	Varies (blue, green, and orange)	Universal
Power steering fluid	Power steering fluid is housed in the power steering pump reservoir and circulated to the rack and pinion/steering system.	Golden brown	Universal or Oil-Only
Fuel	Fuel is housed in the fuel tank and circulated to the engine.	Yellow	Universal or Oil-Only
Diesel exhaust fluid	Diesel exhaust fluid is stored in the DEF reservoir and circulated through the vehicle's exhaust system.	Clear	Universal
Battery acid	Battery acid is stored and contained in the vehicle's lead-acid battery.	Clear	Haz-Mat

Repairs often have to wait until the vehicle can be towed or moved to a garage. When a permanent repair can’t be made right away, it’s important to do what you can to temporarily stop the leak.

Temporary Patches to Plug Vehicle Leaks

Plug-N-Seal Patching Paste can be used to patch small leaks temporarily. This patch can last up to two hours, depending on the size and location of the hole. No surface preparation or mixing is required for this product. Just apply a generous amount of Plug-N-Seal to the leak. Apply additional Plug-N-Seal to the perimeter of the initial patch to extend the longevity of the patch.

If you’re dealing with slightly larger leaks or holes, Multi-Purpose Epoxy Putty can be used as a semi‑permanent patch and will last several days until a permanent repair can be made. Once fully cured, it can withstand a small amount of head-pressure.

Containment for Vehicle Fluids

When a vehicle has a catastrophic leak, absorbents and patches may not be the best option. It’s good to have some form of containment on hand. Portable Spill Containment Pools are compact for storage in tight spaces. They can be easily deployed under a vehicle leak to contain the liquid during the response process. The containment has a foam ring that rises with the spilled liquid. These are offered in 20, 66, 100, 150, 250 and 400-gallon sizes.

Vehicle Spill Kits

Another way to ensure you’re as prepared as possible for on-the-road spills is to carry a truck spill kit in your vehicle. These kits range in size, content and container type. Duffel bag kits are compact and can be stored in cabin compartments and small areas. Bucket and chest kits have a higher absorbency but take up more space. These are typically stored in the bed of a truck. Spill kits offer all the products needed for spill response all in one convenient place.

A vehicle leak can wreak havoc by contaminating soil and water, staining paved surfaces and harming local wildlife. Use these tips and products to help reduce the damage caused by a vehicle leak.

TAGS: Spills

Dan Ankney

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