Why do I have a coolant leak in my car?
If you regularly find that you are adding new fluid to your system, there is a good chance you have a coolant leak. Your vehicle’s head gasket seals the space between its cylinder head and engine block. If the head gasket fails, coolant, and engine oil may mix.
When to fix coolant leak or just live with it?
The bottom line: As long as the coolant leak is relatively small, doesn’t contaminate the oil and doesn’t allow the engine to overheat, try the stop-leak product first. If the leak is beyond these simple parameters, have the repair done professionally.
Can a blown head gasket cause coolant to leak?
If the head gasket fails, coolant, and engine oil may mix. You may also notice that coolant is leaking from the bottom of the engine and dripping onto the ground. Either way, a blown head gasket can be disastrous for your engine.
How can I tell if my coolant tank is leaking?
Identifying the Coolant Leak. There are really only three common causes for coolant leaks, although each type of leak has several possibilities, varying in severity. You may notice that coolant has collected on the ground under your car or that your reservoir tank is not as high as it should be. This could be evidence of a slow leak in your system.
How do you know if your coolant is leaking?
Inspect the coolant level on a regular basis. The most obvious signs of a coolant leak is low levels of coolant in the coolant reservoir. Other signs include colored puddles under the car, and burning smell when the coolant drips on a hot engine.
What are some causes of an engine coolant leak?
Causes of Engine Coolant Leak Water Pump. The water pump’s job is to move the coolant between the engine and the car’s radiator. Radiator. Radiators are another common source of coolant leaks. Heater Core. On most vehicles the heating core is located in the heating ventilation and air conditioning system of the car, inside the car’s dash. Hoses.
Why would engine coolant leak when starting engine?
In normal circumstances, the coolant gets ousted out from the reservoir overflow tube, the moment the engine starts warming up. This leakage is visible and may result from bad reservoir cap . Go through maintenance tips for consequences of the overfilled coolant reservoir.
How serious is a coolant leak?
Coolant leak. Engine overheating. Rising temperature gauge. A leaking radiator can lead to serious engine damage by preventing the engine from being cooled. The loss of coolant through a leak will make it difficult for the remaining coolant to dissipate engine heat.