Most modern vehicles are equipped with a coolant reservoir that holds a surplus of coolant ranging from one quart to over a gallon. These reservoirs are commonly made from heat-resistant plastic and are located inside the engine compartment. Despite their heat resistance, the combination of chemical reactions to the coolant and heat inside the engine compartment can cause these reservoirs to crack at one of their seams over time .
Instructions
- 1
Open the hood on your vehicle and locate the coolant reservoir. In most vehicles, its made from white plastic and is located on the left or right side of the engine compartment.
2Shine a work light on the coolant reservoir and do a preliminary leak check. Look for a coolant trail running out from underneath the reservoir, or a small amount of perspiration surrounding a crack at one of the seams.
3Remove the bolts holding the coolant reservoir to the vehicle with a ratchet and socket, then lift the reservoir out of the engine compartment with the feed hose still attached.
4Inspect all sides of the reservoir, including the bottom, for leaks. Pay close attention to the seams.
5Look for leaks around the reservoir cap; the cap will sometimes allow small amounts of coolant to leak out of the top when it fails. The area surrounding the cap should be completely dry; if it isnt, remove the cap and inspect for cracks on the threads where the cap screws onto the reservoir. If those are OK, replace the cap with a new cap and recheck for leaks.
