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Coolant leakage is one of the most common fluid problems you may experience while owning your vehicle, and since coolant plays such a vital role in your car's function, it's important to know how to spot the problem. Coolant is used to keep the engine at optimum by flowing throughout its components while the engine is running. It does this to maintain a balanced temperature and prevent overheating, which can cause terrible damage to your engine and all of its components.
The coolant in our cars is usually brightly-colored on purpose to differentiate between dark-colored oil or yellowish gasoline. This makes it easy to spot if you have a leak. In some cases, coolant may leak due to a crack in the fluid lines, a seal or gasket that is worn out, or other reasons. When the coolant leaks out, the engine isn't able to stay cool enough, which could pose a serious problem, including the dreaded overheated engine with steam pouring out from the hood. Below, we discuss the common ways your car can alert you to a coolant leak.
In the event that your car has a coolant leak and has been parked in the same spot for an extended period, you'll likely find a puddle of coolant underneath the front of your car. Flow rate is also of importance when it comes to diagnosing a leak. Coolant is easily identified and differentiated from other liquids used in cars, since most brands use vibrant colors like blue, pink, green, orange, red, etc. This is helpful when determining if it is a coolant leak, oil leak, or even a gas leak.
All cars are equipped with a coolant warning light along with other alert lights. You will see a warning on your dashboard whenever the coolant level gets low. There is a high probability that your car's coolant leaks if the warning light frequently glows even after you've topped it off with new coolant.
A puddle beneath your car may not always be necessary if your car's coolant leak is minimal. It is even more disturbing to have leaks at low flow rates since you would never know about them, especially if they are leaking internally where you can't see a puddle on the ground.
However, eventually, your engine will run too hot and overheat. This steam pouring out from underneath your hood is the most obvious sign that your car's engine lacks coolant and is in trouble of damaging parts due to extreme heat. This is caused by the parts rubbing together, causing heat friction. It is the coolant's job to whisk that heat away.
As we've discussed, having coolant leak in a car can be a frustrating issue. In most cases, coolant leaks are caused by general wear and tear from aging components. Coolant hoses and gaskets that have weakened over time are usually the source of coolant leaks, but there are several other potential causes, too.
If your coolant is leaking from the water pump, it could mean that the impeller blades or shaft seal have worn down. Alternatively, if your coolant is leaking at the radiator cap, then it may point to an internal coolant pressure issue.
Regardless of the cause of a coolant leak, it’s important to take care of them as soon as possible as coolants will reduce engine efficiency and eventually lead to costly repairs.
A coolant leak is a serious issue that can adversely affect the performance of your automobile. It can be prevented with proper and routine vehicle maintenance, and it doesn't matter how sophisticated or how technologically-advanced your car is. Every car engine needs the right amount of coolant to function and to perform at its best.
With Huron Automotive's experts, you can be confident that your car, truck, or SUV will receive the best care possible. We are conveniently located in Green Bay, WI and we happily serve car owners from the nearby cities. If you are looking for a trusted auto shop that is affordable, honest, and dependable, reach out to us now!
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