Your car is running fine and all of a sudden, you notice a lot of coolant spilling out from under the car. Upon inspection, you find that the car’s radiator has completely blown and the engine is overheating. In this article, we will discuss what could have caused the car to leak coolant and how you can fix it.
What is a coolant leak?
Car only leaks coolant when the car is turned off. The most common reason for a coolant leak from a car is a failed thermostat. When the thermostat malfunctions, it allows hot coolant to escape from the engine. This can cause corrosion and metal fatigue in other parts of the engine, eventually leading to a coolant leak.
Symptoms of a coolant leak
Some of the most common symptoms of a coolant leak are: a puddle on the ground, a smell of coolant, a loss of power, and a Check Engine light. A coolant leak can be difficult to notice, but it’s important to take note of these signs so you can take action if necessary.
How to fix a coolant leak
If your car only leaks coolant when it is turned off, there may be a problem with your radiator. To test this, turn on the car and watch the level of coolant in the reservoir. If the level goes down, then your radiator is leaking. If the level stays the same or goes up, then there may be a problem with your thermostat or water pump.
Conclusion
The most likely cause of a car only leaking coolant when turned off is a failed thermostat. If your car has been sitting for a while without being driven, the engine will overheat and the thermostat will open to allow coolant into the engine to prevent it from overheating. Over time, this can fail and allow coolant to leak out when the car is turned off.