Hello and welcome! My name is Fareed, and this blog is about car repair. I plan to write about smash repair, body work, painting and other aspects of the industry. I also hope to include a few posts that will help you assess whether or not something is wrong with your car. I have worked on my own car for years, and recently, I've been embraced as the neighbourhood mechanic -- all my friends come to me for help. I'm not a professional mechanic, but I feel confident sharing this info with you as I've been working on cars for years. I am happy you found my blog and hope that you enjoy reading!
Antifreeze plays a key part in keeping your car running. If the antifreeze in your vehicle begins to leak, it could result in your engine overheating, and it could cause damage to your car's radiator. For this reason, it is important that you understand the possible locations where a leak may occur. Below is a guide to 3 possible causes of an antifreeze leak.
Damage to the radiator hose
A leading cause of antifreeze leaks in a damaged radiator hose. As your vehicle ages, the radiator hose may become weakened and cracked. If this occurs, it may allow antifreeze to leak from the hose as it travels into the radiator. If the radiator hose has become detached from the connectors which hold it in place, it may have also become twisted, which can cause splits to appear on its surface. If these splits become large enough, a leak may develop. You should regularly inspect the radiator hose on your car and have it repaired or replaced if you spot any signs of damage.
Damage to the radiator cap
A damaged radiator cap may also cause antifreeze to leak from your vehicle. The radiator cap can be removed in order to top up the radiator with water or antifreeze. When it is screwed in place, a rubber ring on the inside edge of the cap should form a perfect seal with the surrounding radiator. However, over time, this rubber seal can become worn or may start to decay. This can compromise the seal when the cap is screwed in place. When your vehicle is in operation and the radiator begins to warm up, pressure builds up inside it. A radiator with a damaged cap will not be able to contain this build-up of pressure, which will result in anti-freeze and water leaking from the cooling system. You should carry out periodic visual inspections of the cap to make sure it is in good working order and that there are no signs of damage.
Damage to the overflow reservoir
The overflow reservoir is designed to catch any excess coolant which has entered the engine. If the overflow reservoir on your vehicle has been affected by rust, it may have developed a small hole. This hole will allow any excess antifreeze and water to leak out of your vehicle when it is in operation. A mechanic will be able to inspect the overflow reservoir at your next service and will repair or replace the part if it is damaged.
If you would like further advice, you should contact an auto repair shop.
Share12 July 2017
