Every vehicle has a cooling system which is vital for the proper functioning of its engine. When that coolant start leaking, it can take a toll on the efficiency and effectiveness of it. The car’s engine system includes circulation of a mixture of coolant and water. It moves under pressure through the pipes reaching the engine and the radiator. The aim is to keep cooling down the engine, when it runs, as it tends to generate substantial amount of heat from this activity.

But when this system fails to work properly, the entire engine compartment gets overheated, causing damage to several components.  And the repair of all these parts are quite expensive. The coolant system usually tends to fail, mostly when there’s leakage, explained the head of the mechanical department of the Tomball auto repair service center.

How to Know the Coolant is Leaking

If you see a small pool of liquid collected on the ground just below the reservoir tank, then know it is the coolant which is leaking. Sometimes you may also get a light smell of the coolant if it is leaking. But what causes the coolant to leak?

Types and Causes of Coolant Leakage

Not always you can know from the outside that the coolant of your vehicle is leaking. It could be an internal leakage as well. But how to know? Here are the simplest ways:

Because of Cracked Radiator Cap

If the radiator cap has loosened or cracked up, your car will face a slow coolant leakage it will overflow from tube whenever the car runs for some time and the coolant heats up. The radiator being a pressurized system will not work well when there is a loss of pressure from the cap. Such things take place when the radiator cap is not fitted properly or if an incorrect cap is used for the radiator. You can know if this is the case with the help of a pressure test, the procedure of which will be written in the car’s manual.

Internal Leakage

Since an internal leakage won’t create a visible scene like a puddle of coolant below your car, you will know it, when your car will ask for a frequent refill of coolant, after or during every long distance drive. It is usually caused from the leakage in the block or head gasket that can’t seal the coolant in its reservoir.

External Leakage

An external leak is easily diagnosable. One can easily spot the leakage from the coolant droplets or pool accumulated beneath the car. it can cause due to a broken hose or because of a hole in the radiator. Leakages in the heater core, water pump, or engine can freeze the plugs allowing the coolant to escape.

The auto repair in Tomball auto mechanics demonstrated us how to inspect for a crack in the coolant reservoir and what actions we need to take when we spot one. They advised us to start with replacing the radiator cap, changing the hoses and then call the mechanic, if things don’t get fixed the right way.