As much as a car requires fuel and engine oil to run, the importance of a car coolant cannot be ignored. A car engine is bound to heat up due to internal combustion, different mechanical parts movement, electric coil generating current, and air conditioning unit.
The external air is moving directly into the hood from the front grill or specialized Air Intake Systems that are pointed in such a way that it can absorb the maximum air and throw it off the engine to cool it down.
Where the air cools down the external surface of an engine, the internal equipment of an engine’s temperature is maintained and cooled down with a coolant.
The primary purpose of the Coolant is to reduce the engine temperature in summer and increase the engine temperature in winter when driving in extreme climates.
Coolant levels are meant to be healthy; however, there are several reasons for the coolant level going down.
So a usual question raised by a layman is how much coolant loss is normal and what to do in order to make sure it stays within its limit. Before that, let us look into the possible causes of coolant loss.
What Is Coolant?
Coolant is a fluid used in vehicles. It helps regulate the engine’s temperature. It is also known as antifreeze.
Coolant prevents the engine from overheating. It also stops the engine from freezing in cold weather. Coolant is usually a mixture of water and chemicals. These chemicals help transfer heat away from the engine.
Importance Of Coolant In Engines
Coolant plays a vital role in engine performance. Without it, the engine can overheat. Overheating can cause significant damage.
The coolant absorbs heat from the engine. Then, it dissipates the heat through the radiator. This process keeps the engine at an optimal temperature.
Coolant also prevents corrosion inside the engine. The chemicals in coolant protect engine parts. This ensures a longer engine life. Regular checks on coolant levels are essential. Low levels can signal a problem. Early detection can save you from costly repairs.
Symptoms of Abnormal Coolant Loss
Being aware of the signs of coolant loss can help you identify potential problems early on and prevent major damage. Here are some common indicators:
- Low Coolant Level: Regularly check your coolant level using the reservoir’s dipstick or markings. If the level is consistently low, it indicates a leak or excessive evaporation.
- Overheating: If your engine overheats, it could be due to insufficient coolant. Pay attention to the temperature gauge and look for warning lights on your dashboard.
- White Smoke from Exhaust: Coolant leaking into the combustion chamber can produce white smoke from the exhaust, especially when the engine is cold.
- Sweet Smell from Exhaust: Coolant has a sweet odor. If you notice a sweet smell coming from your exhaust, it could indicate a coolant leak.
- Rust or Corrosion: Inspect your coolant reservoir, hoses, and radiator for signs of rust or corrosion. This can indicate a problem with the coolant itself or a leak.
Possible cause of coolant loss
Coolant leak causes engine overheating resulting in engine failure and ultimately costing a hefty amount of car repairs.
Using the wrong type of Coolant or driving a car with a low coolant level in the reservoir, the engine is bound to overheat.
Different reasons exist for a coolant leak depending on car engine condition, external conditions, driver carelessness, or faulty engine component.
These are not acceptable coolant losses; however, the coolant evaporation rate can be quite minimal at times, which causes real confusion to the car caretaker. Let us try to dig into the reasons for causing coolant loss.
#1. Head Gasket.
The most severe damage to a car engine is due to the head gasket blown up. Due to low Coolant, either the head gasket gets damaged, or due to a worn-out head gasket, the coolant level drops at an alarming rate.
The Coolant gets into the engine’s combustion chambers and burns off, which damages the car emission system and catalytic converter.
As soon as the head gasket gets blown up, the Coolant enters the combustion chamber causing damage to the engine block or cylinder head, resulting in white smoke from the engine.
#2. Rusty/Faulty Reservoir Cap.
The coolant evaporation rate is quite low when the radiator cap is rusty or the rubber is worn out. The radiator cap’s primary purpose is to maintain the coolant level and the reservoir pressure so that the Coolant can travel at the usual rate around the hose.
If damaged, the Coolant tends to escape, and pressure reduces within the reservoir, causing a warning light on the dashboard. It is advised to replace the reservoir cap after a couple of years, and it needs to be checked bi-annually for rust or rubber damage.
#3. Damaged/worn out Radiator Hoses.
The radiator hoses are quite close to an engine and exposed to high temperatures when the car’s engine is running.
The hoses can crack or burst, causing Coolant to spill out of the system. This causes a low coolant level warning, and with the continuous spillage, it will directly affect the head gasket resulting in the engine malfunctioning.
#4. Radiator Leakage.
Aluminum Radiator is a lightweight but practical component in managing the hot and cold coolant temperatures and maintaining the overall pressure across the engine compartment. The radiator takes much beating due to high temperatures around.
Due to low-quality Coolant, using water instead of Coolant causes corrosion within the radiator walls. The corrosion results in rust, which ultimately punches holes within the radiator surface, causing a leakage.
#5. Cooling System Damage.
Other than the Coolant itself, the engine has other components that are responsible for maintaining the engine temperatures. The Water Pump, thermostat housing, and radiator fan are top of the list responsible for the cooling off of the engine.
The water pump’s primary purpose is to make sure the Coolant travels through the radiator, hoses, and engine block.
The failure of the pump to push the Coolant to appropriate engine parts causes a series of chain events resulting in coolant loss and damaging the engine.
The thermostat housing is a coolant outlet usually located over a cylinder head or engine block. Coolant flows from the engine block to the radiator through the thermostat housing.
If in some cases, the Coolant is stuck in a closed position with the housing, this results in a choke-up and coolant leakage on the ground under the vehicle.
The Radiator Fan directly faces the radiator, and it might halt due to electrical motor failure resulting in the radiator temperature going up, which might burst open the cap or cause radiator leakage resulting in coolant loss.
Diagnosing Coolant Loss
Diagnosing coolant loss is essential for maintaining your car’s health. Small leaks can lead to big problems if left unchecked. Understanding the causes helps prevent overheating and engine damage. This section explains how to diagnose coolant loss effectively.
#1. Inspection Techniques.
Start by visually inspecting the engine bay. Look for wet spots under the car. Check around the radiator and hoses.
Any signs of green, pink, or orange fluid indicate a leak. Examine the radiator cap for cracks. Inspect the coolant reservoir for proper levels. Low levels may signal a problem.
#2. Diagnostic Tools.
Use a pressure tester to check the cooling system. Attach the tester to the radiator cap. Pump the tester to the recommended pressure. Watch for leaks as the system holds pressure.
A drop in pressure indicates a leak. A UV dye can help locate small leaks. Add the dye to the coolant. Use a UV light to find glowing spots. This method is effective for finding hidden leaks.
How To Fix Coolant Loss
Whatever is causing the coolant to leak, it’s possible to fix it. In some cases, you may be able to diagnose and fix the problem yourself, while other times, you might need more support. Follow these guidelines to get back on the road without leaks.
#1. Find And Repair Coolant Leaks.
Before you can take steps to stop the leak, you must first find it. The easiest way to spot a coolant leak is if there’s external dripping.
You can take a large piece of cardboard and place it under the vehicle at night. By the morning, there should be an indication of coolant on the cardboard, helping you determine where it might be coming from.
Perform a visual inspection underneath the vehicle to see what’s leaking. You want to look closely at all of the hoses and clamps, as these are places wear occurs first.
You should also inspect the radiator and other cooling system components to determine what needs to be fixed.
#2. Test Head Gasket.
It’s not simple to test for a blown head gasket. For this reason, many people choose to look at the symptoms to see if a head gasket failure is probable first.
For example, when the head gasket is to blame, you will see either coolant in the oil or vice versa. There should also be white smoke coming from the exhaust.
If the signs lead to a blown head gasket, you can take the diagnostics to another level. However, it’s not wise to take these steps unless you know what you are doing because it is dangerous. Here are some general steps to follow, with extreme caution.
- Warm up the car engine.
- Turn off the car and remove the radiator cap carefully.
- Put a funnel in the place of the radiator cap.
- Start the engine again.
- Watch the coolant circulate. If there are a lot of bubbles, the gasket might have failed.
Because hot coolant can spray from the radiator during this procedure, you may not feel comfortable doing it yourself. If so, please move on to step number four.
#3. Use A Cooling System Sealer.
If you have a leaky radiator, hose or gasket, you may be able to temporarily use a cooling system sealer or radiator sealer to buy some extra time.
These products add a chemical to the walls of the system to cover up any tiny holes that exist. It’s not difficult to use these products and they don’t cost a lot.
Here are a few basic steps to keep in mind.
- Buy a high-quality radiator sealant. You don’t want to purchase a no-name brand. Instead, spend a little extra for a product that will work.
- Dump the contents into the radiator. Make sure you follow the directions on the label showing you how much to use. Typically, an entire bottle will be required.
- Add coolant if the levels are low. Aside from this, there’s no reason to drain or add any coolant if the levels are already within normal range.
- Start the engine. Warm it up and let the sealant circulate. It’s best to keep the engine running for ten minutes.
- Don’t drive overnight. Once you have performed the steps outlined, let the car sit overnight. Ideally, you won’t drive the car again for about 12 hours, so the sealant can set.
Sealants are not a replacement for repair. Using a high-quality sealant might buy you a little bit of time, but you should still have the cooling system inspected and repaired.
#4. Contact A Professional.
If at any point during these steps you feel overwhelmed, you would do better reaching out to an auto repair shop. Cooling system issues aren’t always easy to diagnose or repair, so don’t take chances if you don’t feel qualified.
For example, repairing a blown head gasket is a difficult job that few people have the tools to handle on their own. For this reason, you will want to get more guidance.
The price you pay for repair from an auto shop depends on several factors. The price is variable based on what type of car you drive, the location of the shop and what needs to be fixed.
In most cases, it shouldn’t take more than an hour or two for the mechanic to determine what the problem is unless it’s complicated.
How Much Coolant Loss Is Normal?
If there’s nothing mechanically wrong with the cooling system, you could still notice a slight dip in coolant levels over time. In fact, it’s normal to notice up to 0.25% less coolant after six months. That equates to about two or three ounces each year.
If you notice more than this when you check the levels, you are probably dealing with a leak somewhere. Instead of simply topping off the system, you should have it inspected to head off any potential damage.
How Much Coolant Loss Is Normal In Diesel?
In your diesel engine, normal coolant consumption is zero. If your coolant is going down, that means something is wrong.
You should check everything carefully. To check it, first, you should check the hoses and coolant smell in your car. The leak will be your diesel heater core.
Overfilling is another way to lose coolant. Remember that don’t fill the coolant reservoir on a cold engine. Look carefully; a maximum fill line should be around the power’s midpoint.
How Much Coolant Loss Is Normal In Summer?
It’s normal for your car to lose some coolant during the summer. You won’t experience a significant drop in coolant levels at any time of the year. It’s also understandable that your engine constantly overheats a little at high speeds.
How to Perform a Coolant Pressure Test?
If you cannot see a leak but you are losing coolant, you may need to perform a coolant pressure test.
A pressure tester is a hand-held tool that allows you to gauge the pressure inside your cooling system. If you have low pressure, you probably have a leak somewhere.
Step 1: Start with a Cool Engine.
Make sure the engine is completely cool to avoid burns when working with the radiator and coolant system.
Step 2: Remove the Radiator Cap.
Slowly remove the radiator cap to release any built-up pressure.
Step 3: Attach the Pressure Tester.
Connect the pressure tester to the radiator neck or reservoir, ensuring a tight seal.
Step 4: Pressurize the System.
Pump the tester to the pressure recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer, typically 15 to 20 psi.
Step 5: Check for Leaks.
Monitor the gauge for a drop in pressure, which indicates a leak. Inspect hoses, radiator, and engine components for visible leaks or drips.
Step 6: Release the Pressure.
Once finished, carefully release the pressure from the system before disconnecting the tester.
If you find any leaks, address them immediately to prevent overheating and engine damage.
Preventative Maintenance for Your Cooling System
Proper maintenance of your cooling system can help prevent leaks, overheating, and costly repairs. Here are some key tips to keep your cooling system in top shape:
- Every time you change the oil, inspect the coolant reservoir to ensure it’s at the proper level, and top off with the recommended coolant mix if necessary.
- Routinely look for cracks, bulges, or signs of wear on hoses and belts that are part of the cooling system. Replace them if damaged to prevent leaks or failure.
- Every two to five years or as recommended in your owner’s manual, flush the system and replace the coolant to remove corrosion and debris.
- Remove any dirt, bugs, and other buildup from the front of the radiator and grille to maintain proper airflow and prevent overheating.
- Ensure the radiator cap is in good condition and maintains the correct pressure as a faulty cap can cause leaks and overheating.
FAQs.
Q: Is it normal for the coolant level to drop?
Yes, due to the extreme engine temperature, the water element within the Coolant tends to evaporate, resulting in a coolant level drop.
Also, due to the availability of an overflow reservoir, which makes one end of the Coolant open, it tends to spill out extra Coolant or jump Coolant out of the system.
Q: Why is my coolant low but no leaks?
Leaks are not always a reason for coolant loss. When a head gasket gets blown up, the Coolant enters the engine chamber resulting in the Coolant being burnt off.
Q: Why does my engine coolant keep disappearing?
It depends on what is causing the Coolant to disappear. It might usually be evaporation due to the natural steaming process, engine equipment failure, disruption of the coolant flow, a minor leakage within the radiator, cracked hoses, or leaked joint of hoses that causes Coolant to disappear over time.
Q: What happens if the Coolant is below a minimum?
Get ready to spend some hard-earned bucks if you keep on running the car with the below-allowed minimum coolant level.
The Coolant will keep on lowering, resulting in water pump failure as it will not be able to pump Coolant out of the radiator to the engine compartment for the sole purpose of cooling down.
The pressure will increase, resulting in a chain of reactions from cracking the engine head, Coolant steaming off, gasket blowing up, and ultimately seizing the engine if precautions are not taken.
Q: How often should the Coolant be topped up?
It is suggested to check the water coolant once a month and fill it up from the external bottle if the level is below the minimum. Never open the reservoir cap if the engine is running or just switched off.
If there is a minor leakage and the coolant level is regularly dropping, be sure to gauge the level on a weekly level, top it up and visit the workshop at the earliest in order to avoid any significant engine fault.
Final Words
The Coolant plays a vital role in overall keeping the temperature of an engine and pressure at an optimal level. An ideal coolant is of high thermal capacity, non-toxic, avoids corrosion, low in viscosity and density.
For countries with cold temperatures, Coolants are available with anti-freezing properties that avoid the Coolant itself getting freeze due to -0 C temperatures.
These properties make sure the vehicle engine runs at its full capacity along with other engines cooling equipment.
In the end, it is up to the user to either spend a small amount on buying a suitable coolant and keeping an eye on the level on a scheduled basis with a lousy quality coolant and carelessly avoiding checking the level, which would result in spending a big amount of money to get the engine repaired.