Why is antifreeze leaking and what is the danger?

Antifreeze or antifreeze is a working fluid that circulates in the circuit of the engine's liquid cooling system and, accordingly, cools it. An insufficient level of coolant (OR) or a significant loss of its properties leads to the fact that the engine does not work in its optimal temperature regime. That is why it is important that antifreeze is in the right amount, of good quality and does not leak out of the system.

Why does antifreeze flow?

The engine cooling system consists of several main elements, as well as connecting pipes. And the antifreeze itself is a mixture of water and concentrate in certain proportions. When the engine is heated, the temperature of the coolant also rises. And the OR itself is under a certain pressure in the system.

It is clear that defects in individual components, if they are not sealed, will cause antifreeze to leak. The reason for the leakage of OP can be the natural wear of elements, mechanical damage, assembly errors during repair work, or gross violations of the rules of operation of the car.

First of all, if you find a leak, check the level of OR in the expansion tank. If you see that it is constantly lower than necessary, this indicates one or another malfunction. constant decrease, then it indicates problems. But keep in mind that during severe frosts, the coolant will slightly decrease in volume, and this is normal. Also, in strong heat, when the cooling system is working at its limit, the water in the OR component evaporates a little. In this case, topping up is carried out. If the level in the tank drops more intensively, then the system needs diagnostics.

How to find the place of leakage of antifreeze?

Leaking from the radiator, nozzles or other elements is often indicated by wet spots or heavy fogging, drops. If a visual inspection does not allow you to accurately identify the location of the leak, then during the search, you should check all the components of the cooling system one by one.

First of all, the culprit may be the expansion tank. It is also possible that antifreeze flows from under the cover. In this case, the OR will evaporate through the cracks and various cracks that appear on the body of the tank or the lid. It can be difficult to detect such a malfunction visually, since leakage through microcracks is almost imperceptible. It is impractical to repair the tank or cover, they should be replaced.

Another reason for increased consumption of antifreeze can be pipes and places of connections. In this case, it is not difficult to detect a leak, you just need to carefully inspect the nozzles, hoses, as well as their connection points with the radiator of the cooling system.

It is also worth paying attention to the thermostat gasket, because leakage from there happens quite often. The thermostat housing itself may also be faulty - it is also not repaired, but replaced.

The rubber nozzles should be inspected first. There is a problem - we replace it. Consider that rubber at high temperatures has the ability to crack, and antifreeze slowly flows through microcracks. The problem, by the way, may not be in the rubber pipes themselves, but in the places of their connection. In other words, you should check the reliability of tightening the clamps at the point of connection of the pipe with the fittings. Often the collar is tightened more - and the problem disappears.

In case of failure of the cooling radiator or heater radiator, these elements are either replaced or repaired.

If everything is fine with the pipes and the tank, as well as the radiator, the cause of the leak may be in the cooling system pump . In practice, cases when antifreeze flows from the pump are quite common. Coolant leakage occurs due to the fact that the seal loses its properties. As a result, antifreeze flows down the pump rod and sprays. This is clearly visible during inspection, because the parts nearby have wet spots. The water pump needs to be replaced , it cannot be repaired.

The radiator of the stove can also be the hidden cause of the antifreeze leak. The specified radiator may not flow much, as a result of which the OR begins to evaporate from the system. Obvious signs can be considered strong fogging of the windshield, as well as the sweet smell of antifreeze in the cabin. More serious leaks are manifested in such a way that a puddle of coolant appears under the feet (most often, under the front passenger seat).

Antifreeze can also flow from under the head of the cylinder block, and often the cause of this is a puncture or wear of the head gasket of the block. If the car has a high mileage, this happens quite often. A more serious problem is a cracked block or block head. It is not at all bad when the defect affects the channels of the lubrication and cooling system, because then it is possible for OP to get into the cylinders of the internal combustion engine. If antifreeze is mixed with engine oil, as a result, not only does the OR level drop, but also the oil loses its desired properties. It is logical that the engine suddenly jams or smokes. To exclude or confirm the "diagnosis", it is enough to check the oil level, as well as to conduct an inspection for the emulsion.

Importantly! Before starting work related to the cooling system and its inspection, the engine must be given time to cool down. Ignoring this rule can result in serious burns and injuries.