What Causes Engine Coolant Leaks?
By: SWEngines.com
The cooling system in your vehicle is essential for the proper functioning of your vehicles engine. If your vehicle has a cooling leakage it can cause the vehicle to breakdown or not work as efficiently as it should. The vehicles coolant system works by flowing a coolant and water combination under pressure across pipes through your engine and radiator, thereupon cooling the engine. The temperature of the coolant increases as the vehicle is moving and the coolant extends so any excess coolant in the system passes into a reservoir tank by the way of rubber hoses. But, when the system is not functioning properly, you are risking costly repairs. Repairing a coolant leakage is vital.
Finding the coolant leak
Here are the 3 common causes of coolant leaks:
- Noticing coolant has been accumulating on the ground underneath your vehicle or that your reservoir tank is not as high as it should be. This could be a sign that your coolant is leaking.
- If your vehicle unexpectedly overheats is another sign that your vehicle might be suffering from a coolant leakage
- Or you could smell the coolant leaking
SWEngines.com says “It is always best to check the level of your coolant reservoir tank every so often while you fill up your gas tank.” Here are the common causes of coolant leaks:
Leakage of the radiator cap
If you have a leaky or wasted radiator cap you may notice a loss of coolant from the overflow tube when the coolants heat up. The radiator is a system build on pressure, so if there is not enough pressure from the cap not fitting right, or if the cap is not the right cap for the radiator the pressure is lost and that can cause a leakage. This can be identified with a pressure test of the radiator cap.
Interior leak
An interior leak won’t cause a leakage on the ground but it be noticeable when your coolant level is not continuous and you find that you are constantly having to refill your vehicles tank to keep the engine from overheating. Interior leaks are usually caused by a leak in the head or block or a leaky head gasket which causes the coolant to escape the system.
Exterior leak
Exterior leaks are easy to find. Generally, when you have an exterior leakage the coolant escapes and your vehicle overheats quickly. It is easy to spot where the leak is coming from by looking at it. There is a split or broken hose or a hole on the radiator. A leakage on the water pump, engine freeze plugs, or heater core can also cause the coolant to escape.
You might also find a crack in the coolant reservoir. Due to the coolant in the main system being the on keeping your vehicle cool, it will not cause your vehicle to overheat but in this cause, you will find coolant on the ground when your vehicle has been sitting for a long time.
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