How To Fix An Engine Coolant Leak
Posted in Hood Accessories | Asked on Aug 10, 2010
Below is the question about How To Fix An Engine Coolant Leak, Today when i started my car after filling up (with gas), I noticed that my check engine light came on. I turned off the engine and re started the car and waited to see if it was just flashing like all the other instruments do when the key is turned to accessory. But it stayed lit so i popped the hood and checked my coolant cause my dad has recently noticed i had a small leak. (he’s a mechanic). I looked under the car cause i noticed that the reservoir was low, and coolant was literally dripping out of the bottom of the car. Right now my pops is not able to work and i really need this to be fixed soon, i want to do it myself but i’m not sure how, anything would be helpful! Thank you!
Oh if it helps, it’s a 2000 Chevy Malibu
There are 5 Answers for "How To Fix An Engine Coolant Leak"
you need to isolate the leak and if you find it is something like a hose or similar, just replace and you are off and running. If it is running out below the vehicle, it may be a head gasket, cracked block or other nasty items. Sorry to say that but it is a reality. I hope it is simple for you but be ready. If you cant find just a simple leaky hose, go to the store and get some bars leaks coolant stop leak, it comes in a white bottle. Just follow the directions and you cant mess it up. It may work and it may not, but that is way cheap. You can also try the head gasket fix that comes in a silver bottle but it is about 55 bucks, still cheaper than most other situations. Hope it is small and cheap but do your best to isolate it to a location. best luck
Well we can’t be much help to you until you know from where it’s actually leaking. Find this out first, track it down to where it’s coming out. If it’s a hose, replace the hose, if it’s a gasket replace the gasket, if it’s in the engine itself you’d notice your operating temperatures going through the roof but you wouldn’t see it dripping out, so i’m betting on a gasket/o-ring or hose somewhere.
In the meantime keep your coolant topped up. If the weather is nice where you live, and you don’t have to worry about freezing temperatures, just add water rather than the regular coolant mix until you or your dad gets around to fixing it. Extended use of just water in a cooling system, especially tap water will end up corroding the whole system (a year plus of use might do some damage), but for short periods of time in non-freezing temperatures it’s fine to keep topped up on water. Cheaper too.
If it’s coming out of the rad itself… you may need to replace the rad.
usually there is a weep hole on the bottom of the water pump when the bearing starts wearing out, it breaks a seal and anti freeze will drip from directly from the front of an engine. you do not mention year make or model or mileage of your vehicle, loosen the radiator cap just enough to keep pressure from building up, and keep the overflow topped off and check the radiator when it is cold to be sure there is enough coolant, this may buy you some time, but you need to get under the truck and find out where it is coming from. I would not go jumping to head gaskets and the other stuff mentioned, always look for the simple fix first, this could just be a loose clamp, so tighten up the clamps first, and start looking around under the truck to get an idea what the problem is
if it,s leaking out the bottom it might be a freeze plug.
Sodium Silicate. It’s water glass, quick fix for such things, including head gaskets. I’ve used it previously.