How can I find out if my coolant system is leaking?
Use a pressure tester to locate hard to find leaks. Another tool you may opt to purchase to identify issues with your coolant system is a pressure tester. Remove the radiator cap from your engine and attach the pressure tester in its place.
What happens when coolant leaks from the exhaust?
If you notice coolant leaking from the engine beneath the exhaust manifold and white smoke coming from your exhaust, your vehicle’s head gasket is probably blown. A blown head gasket will result in coolant leaks, engine overheating, a severe loss of power and the previously mentioned exhaust coloring.
What to do if you have a problem with your coolant system?
Visually Inspecting Your Coolant System Allow the engine to cool. Put on the appropriate safety gear. Check the radiator cap for damage. Visually inspect the water pump if you can. Assess damage to your coolant hoses.
Where does overflow coolant go in a car?
You can do this by lifting the bonnet (the hood) and looking at the header tank, which collects overflow coolant from the radiator. This is a large tank, usually clear plastic, with a conspicuous cap, rubber hoses coming off of it, and “Max” and “Min” markings on it.
Do you have to take coolant leak seriously?
That is, even though coolant is commonly called antifreeze, it is essential year-round. Therefore, if you have a car leaking coolant, you must take the leak seriously. Fortunately, finding a coolant leak may not be as difficult as you may think.
Can a worn radiator cap cause coolant to leak?
A worn, weak, or leaking radiator cap will not hold pressure, lowering the boiling point and allowing coolant to boil out. It may also allow coolant to leak externally. Luckily, this is a quick and cheap fix. Just wait for the engine to cool, refill the cooling system, and install a new radiator cap.
Can a hot coolant leak cause a burn?
You must be careful when checking fluid levels, though. If the engine is not completely cool before you remove the radiator cap, you may suffer a serious burn from escaping steam or hot coolant. Therefore, you should never open the radiator cap or the coolant reservoir when your car’s engine is hot.
Can a crack in the head gasket cause a coolant leak?
This is a sign of a coolant leak, but might also be caused by cracks in the engine, head, or head gasket. The most obvious coolant leak solution is to find and fix the leak, but finding the leak is not always an easy task. Here are some of the most common ways causes of a coolant leak and how to fix them.