Coolant Leak

If you are the type of person who frequents the road, then you should always remember that your coolant plays an important role, especially in making sure that your engine does not overheat while you are driving. The coolant works by absorbing and transferring the heat into the radiator. Through there, the heat is then allowed to escape and the fluid is sent back into the engine in order to repeat the process. However, something might go wrong in this process in case your car is experiencing a coolant leak. This is due to the fact that this can cause your coolant’s level to decline, thus making it less available for the car engine. In case the leak is substantial and if it persists for over a period of time, this can cause the level of the fluid to drop at a dangerous level. During this point, the temperature that surrounds your engine will start to rise and this can jeopardize the assembly.

Automotive Components that may cause Coolant Leak

One of the most common reasons that can cause a leak in your coolant is the water pump. The shaft seal is often compromised due to regular wear and tear, and this can cause fluid to leak past its bearing. Due to the contaminants contained in the coolant, the leak can degrade the seal. The hoses that act as transporters between the radiator and the engine may also develop leaks. Take note that these hose are made of rubber materials and this can break down due to age or excessive exposure to heat. Cracks may appear through the hose from where the fluid may start to spray outwards. However, you should know that this can easily be seen if you regular inspect your car and pay attention even to minor problems in it.

Coolant Leak from your Car’s Head Gasket

Another particular area that can be troublesome and that may cause leak is the head gasket. Instead of causing leak on the floor, this can cause leaks on your cylinders. This too may pose a risk on your assembly since the coolant may start to take out oil that is on your crankcase. This can compromise your spark plugs, thus causing it to rough idle or misfire. Another reason for your head gasket to leak is if you are having an overheated engine. The heat may block your engine and cause your cylinder head to expand. The thing is, these car parts are made of various metals and this can cause different thermal expansion rates and this can cause the head gasket to be crushed in between these parts. The only way to replace the head gasket is to spend enough money to have it done by an expert.

Cracked Cylinder Head or Engine Block

Even if the head gasket is intact, the engine block or the cylinder head can become cracked or scratched. If this happens, coolant leak may occur in the cylinders and the crankcase and the same thing will happen in case the head gasket failed. Parts that developed leaks should immediately be replaced. The exceptions are the heater core and the radiator. Radiator leaks can be addressed using a sealer. The ones in the heater core can be addressed using the same approach. However, if the sealer fails to halt the leak then you just have to replace your heater core.

Most of the time, the problem of an overheating car is due to coolant leak in the car’s cooling system.  Usually, these types of leaks can be easily identified mainly because the leaks are obvious. Usually, the leaks are colored green but it can also be colored yellow or orange, depending on the antifreeze used in the system and the maker of the vehicle.

Whenever you experience car overheating, you should not open the coolant cap in order to prevent the steam from escaping and cause accidents. It is best to let the system cool down first or add water to the coolant reservoir that has non-pressurized cap.

Car Parts where Coolant Leak is Possible

In general, there are different possible sources of automotive parts where coolant leak may occur. One of the most common parts would be the water pump. The shaft seal can be compromised due to age; thus allowing the liquid to leak to the bearing. The seal can also start degrading because of the contaminants present in the coolant.

The hoses that are used to transport coolant between the engine and the radiator can also develop some leaks. These hoses are usually made with rubber that can wear over time and due to heat exposure. This type of coolant leak is easier to spot upon inspection because the fluid sprays outward where cracks on the hose are located.

The radiator of the car can also pose a potential problem. When the leaks appear, they are usually at the near ends of the hoses. The radiator vibrates while on the road, causing some cracks to form in the seams.

A troublesome coolant leak is the head gasket. This is because the leak is into the cylinders rather than on the ground beneath the car. This can be risky because the coolant can thin out the oil that is located on the crankcase. Aside from that, it can also compromise the car’s spark plugs.

Identifying an Internal Leak

If you find it difficult to identify leaks in your car, the best way to do so is to pressure test the car’s cooling system. There is a test kit adapter that can be used to check the radiator cap; however, carefully checking the rubber seal itself can reveal some wear.

A faulty head gasket can be difficult to identify but it can be done through a pressure tester. The pressure tester kit is simple to use and is not costly.

As soon as you discovered the parts where there are leaks, you should have those parts replaced right away except for the heater core and the radiator. Some leaks in the radiator can usually be fixed through the use of a sealer. The same approach can be done if the leaks are in the heater core; however, if the sealer failed to stop the leaks in these areas, then that would be the time to have them replaced. It is important to frequently check your car for leaks in order to prevent severe damage to the engine.

The job of your vehicle’s cooling system is to circulate coolant through the engine to absorb heat generated from combustion and friction. It then transfers this heat away from the assembly to the radiator, where the heat is allowed to dissipate. Once the coolant releases the absorbed heat, it flows back to your engine to repeat the cycle. This helps prevent the assembly from overheating.

When coolant begins to leak, your engine is placed at risk since less fluid is available to transfer heat away from it. Thus, it is important to locate the source of the leak so it can be fixed before serious damage results. In this article, we’ll describe several places under the hood where such leaks can form. You’ll discover that some areas are much easier – and less expensive – to address than others.

Radiator Hoses And Heater Hoses

These hoses are made of rubber, and thus will corrode over time. Unless they are replaced on a regular basis, cracks will start to develop. Depending on the size and shape of the cracks, coolant might spurt from them. In most cases, however, these fissures will only open once the temperature rises inside the hoses. Many drivers fail to notice them for this reason.

Inspect these hoses once a month to make sure cracks have not formed. Because splits in the rubber may be difficult to see, it is useful to squeeze the hoses. If cracks have developed, install replacements.

Heater Core

Your vehicle’s heater core is located under the dashboard. Most people are unaware that coolant goes through this unit before circulating back to the radiator. There are two heater hoses from which fluid can leak, though leaks can also develop inside the core. Even though this component is virtually hidden, you’ll be able to see the effects of coolant seepage almost immediately. The fluid usually drips to the floor on the passenger’s side.

Water Pump Seal And Gasket

Inside the water pump’s housing, impellers spin underneath the shaft seal. This seal can develop a leak through which coolant will seep. Also, the housing is separated from the pump mounting surface by a gasket. This gasket can become worn, and develop a leak.

Water pump problems are best resolved by replacing the component since even minor issues are difficult to repair.

Blown Head Gasket

One of the most common reasons for a coolant leak inside the engine (as opposed to leaks in the hoses, heater core, and water pump) is a blown head gasket. This component sits between the engine block and cylinder head. The problem here is that leaks are not always evident. When coolant seeps through a blown head gasket, it leaks into the cylinders and crankcase. The former will produce white smoke from your car’s tailpipe. The latter may produce no perceptible signs at all.

The solution is to replace the head gasket, an expensive job since it requires separating the block and cylinder head.

Radiator Connections

Coolant leaks can develop in a few places within the radiator, including the core and end tanks. Most of them, however, occur where the upper and lower hoses connect to the assembly. Not only can the hoses deteriorate over time, but leaks at the connections develop due to the hoses coming loose. This can happen as a result of bumpy rides and constant vibrations. Tighten the connections to seal the leaks.

Engine Block And Cylinder Head

The block and cylinder head can develop cracks that allow coolant to escape through them. Here, the effects are similar to those that result from a blown head gasket. Specifically, coolant can enter the cylinders and crankcase. Not mentioned earlier, seepage into the crankcase can cause damage to the bearings. Leaks into the cylinders can damage the pistons, and lead to problems that increase emissions. This will force your catalytic converter to work harder than it should, potentially causing it to fail prematurely.

If you suspect a coolant leak anywhere under the hood of your car, have a mechanic check it out. Avoid neglecting a problem that can quickly lead to expensive engine repairs.

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