The cooling system in a car performs a very important function - it helps maintain the optimal engine temperature regardless of the circumstances, ensuring excellent operating conditions for it. Damage to the radiator or a lack of coolant can therefore have enormous consequences, which we would definitely like to avoid. Today I will present the most common causes of coolant leaks and ways to deal with the problem.
Coolant leak - causes
The causes of a coolant leak can be very diverse. The cooling system consists of many components, and in the event of a leak we have to consider various possibilities. The radiator itself may have been damaged, or one of the components such as:
- the water pump,
- the thermostat,
- the cooling channels in the engine block and cylinder head,
- the heater core,
Radiator damage
In most models the radiator is well protected by the grilles in the hood or bumper, yet it is exposed to mechanical damage that we cannot always avoid. A stone strike or a minor collision is enough to compromise the structure of the system, which can lead to a leak. In older cars, if they have been exposed to moisture, external factors and progressive corrosion are also a problem.
Coolant leak - possible cracking of the hoses
A common problem in the case of a coolant leak is leaking hoses and seals, that is, the components most exposed to wear and damage during the car’s use. The engine is subject to high loads and temperatures, which is why parts made of rubber harden and crack over time. Even such minor faults can, over time, lead to serious damage to the entire power unit, so we should not underestimate the problem and should carry out a replacement as soon as possible.
If the hoses in the cooling system are cracked and perished and show clear signs of heavy wear, they should be replaced with new ones. If a leak occurs on the road and is small, we can use special sealing kits, but it must be remembered that this is only a short-term solution and cannot replace a proper repair.
Coolant leak - how to locate it?
Drivers often have a serious problem and wonder - how do I find a coolant leak? We notice that it is running low, but we are not sure where to look for the leak.
The simplest way is to observe by leaving the car on a surface where any leak will be visible. If the coolant stains are clearly located on one side of the car, it means that a leak may have occurred at that spot. A very good method is to place newspapers under the car, as they absorb the fluid well and clearly indicate the dripping point. Coolant loss from the water pump, thermostat or low-mounted hoses can mainly be spotted by observing the ground beneath the engine.
With a cold engine it is also worth checking the underside of all the rubber hoses of the cooling system by hand, especially right next to the metal clamps. If one of them is simply not tightened enough, we will quickly locate the source of the problem.
Coolant can also leak from a corroded heater core. In that case we will have characteristic indications - the cabin of the car will smell of coolant, and a greasy film may appear on the car’s windows.
Coolant is running low - there is no leak
If the coolant in our car keeps running low, yet we do not see any wet stain under the car while it is parked, the loss of system tightness probably reveals itself while the engine is running. This means that the radiator has most likely been damaged, and the leak only appears while driving due to the rise in pressure in the cooling system.
How do we locate a coolant leak while driving? We can proceed as in the previous case, but warming up the engine beforehand.
If we cannot locate the source of the problem, it is also worth taking a look at the engine oil filler. It will be a very bad sign if under the cap we observe a beige-chocolate, thick fluid, which indicates that coolant has gotten into the oil. This may point to a cracked head gasket, the cylinder head itself or, in an extreme case, the engine block, which already entails really costly repairs.
Damaged thermostat
If there is a problem with the operation of the cooling system and you cannot locate the leak, the thermostat may have been damaged. If it has become stuck in the open position, coolant will flow through the radiator all the time, which will consequently cause the engine to take much longer to warm up. On the other hand, if the coolant does not reach the radiator at all, the engine will overheat.
Consequences of a coolant leak
Every driver should be aware of how important a function coolant performs in a car. Thanks to its excellent conductive properties and great thermal resistance, it protects the engine against freezing, prevents the build-up of deposits in the cooling system, and exchanges thermal energy between the engine and the radiator.
Thanks to it, the engine maintains its temperature at the optimal level for operation - around 100 degrees Celsius. In the event of a lack of or too little coolant, cooling will fail, which can cause enormous problems. In the worst case, the engine will overheat and seize, which can lead to costly breakdowns.
To avoid problems, you should regularly check the coolant level and keep it at the level recommended by the car manufacturer. On the market we will find modern preparations based on mixtures of chemical detergents that provide effective cleaning of the cooling system as well as protection of its metal and rubber parts, which are located in the radiator.
