Is the coolant in your car leaking? There are many things that can cause your car’s coolant to leak even if the car is not running. So, to prevent this from happening, you should form the habit of checking your car before traveling. So this can help you to find the problem at the right time and you can fix it at the right time.
The thing you need to know about coolant in cars is that this fluid can run out over time. So, sometimes it doesn’t leak but runs out of liquid by itself. But there could also be a leak in your cooler. Why should you always check your car and also include the coolant, because this low coolant will be very bad for the health of your car. So, always keep this coolant in accordance with the actual dose. If the coolant is very low, it can sometimes cause the engine to overheat and this can lead to many things including leaks.
When the coolant reservoir in your car reaches a small or low amount, the engine will be depressed and forced to operate because when there is not enough coolant, the car cannot maintain a stable temperature. Remember that the temperature of your car or car engine should not exceed 220 degrees. If this temperature exceeds this limit then this condition can damage your vehicle or something you don’t want can happen.
If your car has a signal that indicates a problem with the engine then always pay attention to the signal. Most vehicles have a sensor installed at the factory, this sensor will give a signal when your car’s coolant is low, so you can add coolant immediately.
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What Causes Coolant Leaks when the Car is not Running?
Car coolant leaks can also occur when your car is not running. If you keep your car at home and never operate it, it can also cause coolant leaks. So, what exactly causes coolant leaks when the car is not running. Here we look at some of the factors that can influence it.
1. Broken heating core
When this coolant is pumped into the engine through the heating core, the heat generated is blown into your car by the ventilation system. So, if the heating core is damaged, there is a high possibility that a coolant leak will occur under the passenger seat.
2. Torn hoses
Selagn is a container or device to bring coolant from the coolant reservoir to your car engine. The hose sometimes gets damaged if it leaks antifreeze. If this hose is damaged such as torn, then the coolant will not be channeled properly to your machines.
Damage to the hose can occur due to long-term use or due to exposure to heat. Likewise, if your vehicle is often used for long trips. So, every time you go on a long trip, you should rest a lot on the way by parking your car and waiting for your car to cool down. In addition to maintaining the engine and preventing damage to the coolant reservoir, it can also prevent drowsiness while driving.
So, a hose leak can cause your coolant to leak or be damaged.
3. Faulty head gasket
Sometimes a coolant leak can also be seen in the exhaust or in the intake manifold, so if the leak is like this, it could be caused by a bad head gasket. If these head gaskets break and are damaged, this can cause overheating of the vehicle as well as coolant may leak. This head gasket applies fluid oil and coolant into your vehicle’s system. Damage to the head gasket is very dangerous for your vehicle, this damage will damage or cause the coolant to leak under your vehicle.
4. Broken radiator cap
Damage to the radiator cap can also cause the coolant reservoir to leak. This lid serves to keep the coolant from coming out of the container, it also keeps the coolant temperature stable. Leaks in the radiator cap can cause this fluid to escape and will result in low coolant so that your vehicle engine experiences excessive temperatures. This will damage your vehicle. So, always check the radiator cap to make sure that everything stays in good working order.
If the radiator cap is damaged, this will not only increase the heat in the vehicle but can also cause damage to the coolant supply hose as we explained above. As a result, the liquid in the reservoir will overflow and emit smoke from your vehicle due to excessive heat.
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5. Bad intake manifold gasket
Another cause of coolant leaks when the car is not running is a bad intake manifold gasket. So, if the manifold gasket is bad, you have to fix it immediately because this damage can spread to coolant damage or leaks which in turn causes overheating of the car and this will damage your car as a whole.
6. Bad water pump
A damaged water pump on your vehicle is also the cause of damaged or leaking coolant. This water pump is also tasked with flowing coolant smoothly through the engine block hose and radiator.
Damage to this water pump will cause a serious coolant reservoir leak in your car.
7. Cooling reservoir is broken
An overflowing coolant reservoir can cause a leak in the coolant, when the coolant in this reservoir is full, there will be an excessive or inappropriate release of coolant that is required by the engine, and this will appear as a leak that must be repaired in order the car is not damaged.
So, every time a coolant leak occurs, you have to do a proper check so you can fix it properly. Sometimes what is damaged is not the coolant container, but you replace the coolant reservoir with a new one, even though what is damaged is a hose or something else. So, check for damage first so you can take corrective steps.
How do I Find a Coolant Leak in My Vehicle?
This is a difficult thing, it is not easy to detect a leak in your coolant. So, to help you, you can use the JIFETOR Radiator Pressure Leakage Tester. This tool will correctly diagnose the malfunction causing the coolant leak. This can work well and save you time and effort and can find the right leak. Among the parts that will be diagnosed by this tool include:
Radiator
Check the radiator thoroughly and check for any liquid around it. Clean the dirt on it so you can check properly and can determine whether the leak is there or not.
Radiator cap
Also check the radiator cap for damage. If it can be removed, you can remove it from the radiator to do a thorough inspection and then close it again. Do not forget to repair the radiator cup to the radiator because the consequences can be severe.
Hoses
Also check the radiator hoses or visible from your vehicle’s cooling system. If your hose is torn, of course you can identify it by finding the coolant on the surface of the hose.
Also check if your hose has cracks around it, if you crack the hose, this could also be the cause of the coolant leaking out and could be the cause of the coolant leaking under the car.
Check under the vehicle
If you find any coolant running under the car (usually red, green or blue depending on the brand you’re using), this can help you easily find the damage.
Head gasket
The head gasket also needs to be checked to see if there is a leak or not. If you find there is a leak under the exhaust gasket or intake manifold, then there may be damage to the head gasket. Also check for leaks around the cylinder head, engine block, to find out for sure whether there is coolant or not.
Heater Core
To check this, take a look at the coolant stains on the floorboard of your vehicle’s passenger seat. If this is what you find, then immediately check the heating core. The heater core if damaged can cause antifreeze to leak under the passenger side of the car.
Thermostat
This is one of the main elements you should pay attention to when checking for coolant leaks. So, one thing that can cause coolant leakage when the car is not is the thermostat.
Coolant Leak when the Car is not Running? Here’s how to Fix It!
If you have found the cause of the car leaking antifreeze when the car is not running, you also need to know how to fix it. This is important because it can save your money.
If you find a leak because the radiator is leaking, then you can try a cooling system sealer to prevent this leak. If the coolant leak is not severe, then the sealer can prevent this leak for a long time. For the severe radiator leak, then separate the heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) casing to replace the heating core.
In cases like this, the heater is damaged, then you can replace it with the original heating core made of aluminum with the heating core made of copper, and this will reduce your costs. This heater is durable and can still function effectively.
If what is damaged is the liquid cooling reservoir such as leaking or cracking, then the way to fix it is with a silicone sealer. Look and pay attention to the punctured or cracked part, smear with silicone sealer to cover the hole. If this doesn’t work, then the only way is to replace your coolant reservoir with a new one.
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The way to replace the coolant reservoir is to first remove the coolant pressure hose. Remove the mounting bolts, and reconnect the electrical connector to the cooling reservoir. Then reinstall the coolant reservoir in the system and reconnect the coolant hose.
If you find a problem with a broken water pump. So, the only way is to replace the damaged pump with a new water pump or you can buy a re-manufactured one.
Well, if you have to replace the water pump, then you must pay attention to the following things, and it is also recommended to pay attention to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Remove the car belt drive component
- Also remove the hose connected to the water pump, do it carefully.
- Remove the old water pump, by unscrewing the bolt
- Try other components of the cooling system, see if anything is broken.
- Carefully install the new water pump, if there is a recommendation, use or apply a sealant.
- Now tighten the bolts, and then attach the hose connected to the water pump.
If the hose on your car’s water pump is worn or torn, you can try using rubber cement, or hose clamps. Leaks in the hose are only minor leaks and you don’t have to replace a new hose, just fix it using rubber cement or hose clamps.
Can the coolant leak when the car is not running?
It is possible and this is not impossible. When your car stops or is parked, coolant leaks can occur due to damage to your vehicle’s cooling components. This could be due to a torn hose, radiator, damaged radiator cap, damaged head gasket, damaged water pump, or leaks like this occur due to overflow of coolant from the reservoir cap due to an error in your vehicle’s cooling system.