Engine Coolant
Level is Low
Many points in your car’s cooling system are liable
to develop leaks through which coolant can escape. To inspect for a leak in your
car’s cooling system, you should understand that the main physical components involved
in the cooling system are: engine block, radiator, thermostat, upper and lower hoses,
radiator cap, radiator fan, water pump and, heater with hoses. A leak in the heater core most
often results in escaped coolant on the front passenger-side floor of the passenger
cabin. Most automobile antifreezes are either green or red and despite a sweet smell
they are very toxic. Particular care must be taken to dispose of old coolant
properly, as the sweet smell can attract children and pets, and disposing of old
coolant at random contaminates the environment.
The best repair for a leaking heater
core is to replace the core. Visible signs of leakage are the most obvious indicator
of heater leaks, but you should also physically inspect the heater core for signs
of deterioration. When
checking the heater hoses squeeze one hose at a time,
you should feel that the hose is soft and flexible. There should not be any
irregular bulges in the hoses and you should not feel any dry rot, which manifests
as brittleness and/or cracking. You should not feel any weak spots in the
hoses. If you detect any of these conditions, replace the heater hoses. When
replacing hoses measure the length and diameter of your old heating hoses so you will
know the size of the new ones. Most cars use two different sizes of heater
hoses; the standard diameters are 1/2”, 5/8”, and 3/4”.
When removing the
old hoses, take care not to use any yanking or turning motion that could damage
the heater core. Mechanics often score the old hoses open with a knife and
then gradually coax them loose before removing them. Engine
coolant is used to transfer heat
from the engine to the
radiator by the cooling system.
The radiator removes heat from the coolant by forcing air through the radiator fins.
Without coolant, your engine
will overheat and if left unattended severe engine damage will
occur. Coolant colors can vary from green, orange, blue and yellow each having
their own protective properties. Coolant leaks are common car problems; we have
listed some of the most common causes below.
Red and Green Engine Coolant
Troubleshooting
Inspect the Coolant Level in the Coolant Reservoir Tank -
Coolant level should be between the
hot and cold marks. If the reservoir is empty the cooling system may have a leak.
Always check the coolant level when the vehicle is cold, preferably over night.
Use caution when checking coolant level, always check the coolant level when the
engine is cold. Preferably letting the engine cold down overnight.
Radiator Cap and Coolant Reservoir
Step 1 - Checking the Water Pump - The water pump is used on
the engine to circulate coolant from the engine to the radiator.
The water pump is powered by the engine using a serpentine
belt or in some cases the engines timing belt. The main shaft in the water
pump is used the support the drive pulley and the impeller. This pump shaft is supported
by two bearings and sealed by a shaft seal. If the seal or bearings fail it causes
coolant to leak from the inspection port in the
water pump. The water pump must
be removed and replace with a new unit. Replacement instruction varies from car
to car for exact instruction consult an
auto repair manual.
Step 2 - Check for Radiator Leaks - The radiator is used to
remove the heat created by the engine from the coolant. Air is forced through radiator
cooling fins either by car motion or by the cooling fan. This cooling fan can either
be driven by the engine or an electric motor. Radiators are made from an aluminum
core and two plastic tanks on either side. As a radiator ages the plastic tank will
crack causing coolant to leak. To inspect for this condition use a flashlight to
locate the radiator tanks. Inspect these tanks and the seal between the tank and
the radiator core. If leakage is observed remove car radiator to replace with a
new unit, refill with coolant and recheck the system.
Radiator Coolant Leak
Step 3 - Inspect Coolant Hoses - Rubber hoses are used to transfer
coolant from one part of the engine to an accessory like a heater core or the radiator.
To inspect hoses for leakage start with the engine cold, check hoses for cracks,
bulging or oil contamination. If a hose is discovered that exhibits any of these
conditions replace the hose with a new unit. When repairs have been completed refill
the cooling system and recheck. A cooling system service or flush will keep your
vehicle's cooling system from becoming acidic. This condition occurs when chemicals
in the coolant break down creating acid. This acid is very corrosive and will destroy
cooling system components. Flush regularly and replace thermostat and refill system
with manufacturers recommend coolant/anti-freeze.
Best Practices:
To avoid this problem simply change your coolant often. If you change the engine
coolant every 40,000 miles and you should be ok. All engine coolants must be replaced
on a normal schedule to avoid the coolant changing its chemical base composition
to an acid. This condition will cause the coolant to eat away at internal engine
parts, seals and gaskets, causing premature engine failure and added expense. The
coolant mixture to water should be about 60% coolant and 40% water (distilled is
recommended). Always add and check coolant level in the coolant reservoir when the
vehicle is cold. Be careful of harsh chemical flushes because they can cause more
damage than good, especially to aluminum heads, intake manifolds, and the engine
block, read the warning carefully on the label.
If further assistance is needed, our certified car repair technicians are ready
to answer your car questions.
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