If you’ve been experiencing a continuous stream of coolant coming out of your car’s radiator, you might be experiencing a problem with your car’s cooling system. In this article, we’ll outline the common causes and symptoms of a car leaking coolant, and provide some tips on how to diagnose and fix the issue.
What Causes Your Car to Leak Coolant?
If you are like most drivers, your car is a mainstay in your life. You rely on it to get you from A to B, and you take care of it so that it will last as long as possible. Unfortunately, your car can also be a source of frustration and inconvenience. One of the most common issues is a leaky car.
How to Fix a Car that Leaks Coolant
If you are noticing a coolant leak from your car, there are a few things you can do to try and fix the problem. Leaks can occur for a variety of reasons, but the most common ones include bad connections, faulty hoses, or even a cracked radiator. In most cases, fixing the leak is as simple as repairing the underlying issue. Here are some tips on how to do that:
1. Check for loose connections: One of the first things you should do if you notice a coolant leak is to check for any loose connections. Make sure all of the hoses, pipes, and cables connecting your car to the engine are tight and secure. If there are any loose connections, they will cause water to seep into the system and eventually lead to a leak.
2. Troubleshoot faulty hoses: Another common cause of coolant leaks is faulty hoses. If one or more of the hoses connected to your car have started to stretch or tear, water will start leaking out of them. In many cases, replacing just one hose can fix the issue and prevent further damage.
3. Check for cracks in your radiator
What to Do if You Can’t Fix the Problem Yourself
If your car is leaking coolant, here are some things to do:
1. Check for condensation or water droplets on the outside of the car. If there are any, you likely have a leaky radiator.
2. Park the car in a warm, dry place and turn off the engine. Try to determine where the leak is coming from by spraying a little bit of non-permanent Fix-A-Leak onto the coolant overflow bottle and watching where the liquid goes. If you can’t find the source of the leak, you’ll need to take your car to a mechanic to have it checked out.
3. If you can determine where the leak is, try to fix it yourself. Pour a pot of boiling water over the area of concern (be careful not to scald yourself!), then wait five minutes and pour a pot of cold water over the area. Repeat until the leak stops. Make sure to use a safe coolant like antifreeze instead of regular water because it will contain more chemicals that could damage your car.