A coolant leak is a relatively common issue car owners may have to deal with at some point during the life of their vehicle. We are going to tell you all you need to know about coolant leaks.
While they can be an inconvenience, driving without addressing the problem for too long can cause significant mechanical issues in the future.
We have researched this critical topic to make sure that you have all the information that you need. Even though your car may still run with a coolant leak, we recommend taking it to a professional to get fixed as soon as possible.
Driving with a coolant leak can damage an engine by allowing it to overheat or get worse. Bigger leaks could cause even more significant problems. What are the signs of a coolant leak? How long can you drive a car with a coolant leak? What happens if you run an engine without coolant? Keep reading for more details. The first thing which will probably happen is a warning light will turn on.
On top of this, driving with no coolant may result in certain parts failing, being damaged, or ruined. These parts may include the water pump, cylinder head, connector rods, head gasket, or more. Modern vehicles are equipped to be able to deal with this issue better.
Many of them have the technology installed to help regulate the temperature of the car when a problem is detected. There are many signs of a coolant leak.
Having the ability to notice them can save you time and money by preventing any further damage a coolant leak may cause. This section will go over each of these signs. The first place to check for signs is under your vehicle.
Coolant often comes in many different colors, depending on the type of car you drive. Opening the radiator cap can cause hot liquid to spray in your face, causing burn injuries that are potentially fatal. Contact a mechanic right away to have your car's overheating problem inspected.
Radiator leaks can be repaired by a professional mechanic. Depending on the severity of the leak, the area can be sealed or the entire radiator may need to be replaced. Do not drive far with a radiator leak as it can cause further damage to your engine, which can mean a more extensive repair. Driving with a radiator leak is a dangerous operation, as it will very likely cause your engine to overheat.
If you are driving down the road and notice your engine is overheating, pull over immediately and let the vehicle cool down. A radiator leak can be a very serious issue and you should look to have this taken care of by a certified mechanic as soon as possible. This article originally appeared on YourMechanic. Autoblog is partnering with YourMechanic to bring many of the repair and maintenance services you need right to you. Get service at your home or office 7 days a week with fair and transparent pricing.
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Thanks for that. And thanks for reading Autoblog. If you believe you have a leaking radiator, here are some things to consider: Coolant tends to be green, pink, or orange in color. Plain water sitting in an engine on a freezing winter night turns to ice and expands. That expansion could easily burst the radiator, split cooling system hoses, and even crack the engine block or a cylinder head—which would destroy your engine. Antifreeze lowers the freezing point of the coolant to somewhere around minus 35 degrees F to keep any damage from happening.
Again, it's far better to get your car looked at as soon as possible to prevent more serious and expensive engine damage. Lastly, different cars require different types of antifreeze. There are three main types of antifreeze: older-style ethylene glycol green dye ; propylene glycol orange or yellow dye ; and the newest hybrid organic acid technology yellow, green, pink, blue, violet, or orange.
The different types can't be mixed. Refer to your owner's manual or consult the dealer for the correct replacement type. Important: Ethylene glycol antifreeze is highly toxic if ingested. Because of its sweet smell and inoffensive taste, it is a serious hazard for children and pets.
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