Common Causes of Coolant Leaks
Got drips? The most common cause of fluid drips under your car is engine oil but it’s also possible you could have a coolant leak. If you check the level of your coolant, you may find that there’s less than there should be. Your car’s cooling system is closed, meaning whatever fluid is inside that system should stay there. Whenever the level gets too low, it’s a sure sign that you have a leak that needs to be found by a mechanic. Your car’s fluids are all important and serve a specific purpose to it’s important to pay attention when you notice a problem with any of them. There are a few key ways you can tell whether you have a coolant leak and what could cause it.
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First of All, How Can You Tell There’s a Coolant Leak?
Let’s look at ways to tell you have a leak in the first place. There are two distinct signs that you may have a coolant leak – or some other problem with your car’s cooling system.
Your Engine is Running Warm or Overheats
The most common indicator of a coolant leak is your car overheating. At first, you may just notice your engine temperature registering higher than usual but, especially with longer drives, your car may start to overheat. If you notice overheating, especially if alerted by your car, you should stop driving as soon as possible by pulling to the side of the road or into a parking lot to let it cool off. It may be possible to drive your car in short bursts to get it to a mechanic but it’s important not to push it or else you could have major engine damage.
You Find Coolant Drips Under the Car
Check under your car after it’s been parked for a while. Do you see any spots that could be fluid dripping from your car? Take a look at the color and possibly smell of it. Engine oil will be darker and smell a bit like a gas station. If it’s coolant instead, it may be orange or pink in color and have a sweeter smell. In either case, it’s time to make an appointment with a mechanic.
Several Causes Could Be Behind Your Coolant Leak
If you do have a coolant leak, there are a few possible culprits that could be to blame. Any of these will need a mechanic to accurately diagnose and can even be caught by keeping up with regular car maintenance before you even notice symptoms.
A Problem with Your Radiator or Radiator Cap
One of the most common reasons behind a coolant leak is corrosion in your car’s radiator. Coolant circulates through the radiator, to your car’s engine, and back to the radiator, moving heat from the engine and cooling off in the radiator. Over time, sediment that accumulates in your coolant can wear through parts of the radiator, leading to a coolant leak. It’s also possible your radiator cap could wear out and, because your cooling system works under so much pressure, it can cause coolant to leak out the cap.
A Blown Head Gasket
Your head gasket is essential to keeping your engine healthy and operating. If it develops a leak from wear over time, it’s called a blown head gasket. When this happens, your engine oil and coolant will be able to mix, causing difficulty keeping your engine running. This can also lead to coolant leaking outside of your engine and cooling system, which can cause your engine to overheat. In either case, the final result can be engine failure.
A Failed Water Pump
Your car’s water pump is responsible for circulating coolant throughout the cooling system. If it wears out, coolant won’t be able to circulate at the same rate – or at all. This can easily result in your engine overheating. A water pump with a worn seal or connected hose can also cause coolant to leak, further risking engine overheating and serious engine damage.
Keep Your Car’s Coolant in Place – Call AAMCO Utah
If you’re worried about your car’s cooling system , don’t hesitate. The expert mechanics at AAMCO Utah can easily diagnose any underlying problem and get it repaired so that you can save yourself from future major engine repairs.
The post Common Causes of Coolant Leaks first appeared on AAMCO Utah Transmission Repair and General Car Repair.
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