The cooling system on a car or truck is a complicated group of parts vital to keeping the engine running at peak efficiency. Due to the number of parts -- radiator, water pump, hoses, thermostat and pressure cap -- associated with it, an antifreeze leak could occur at any number of spots in the system. Most leaks are easy to find because you can see fluid leaking from the spot. There are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot antifreeze leaks without having to consult a mechanic.
Instructions
- 1
Examine all hoses and clamps to make sure they are tight. There are four hoses that carry coolant -- upper radiator hose, lower radiator hose, incoming heater hose and outgoing heater hose. Check the clamp attaching the hoses to the radiator and the heater core to make sure they are tight. If not, and you see coolant dripping in this area, tighten the clamps with a screwdriver. If you see cracks in any of the hoses, they will need to be replaced.
2Check the water pump for leaks. If antifreeze is present, it is possible that the pump has a faulty gasket. If so, you will need to pull out the water pump and replace the gasket. It is also possible for antifreeze to leak around the water pump pulley shaft. If so, this will need to be replaced as well. If both are leaking, you may wish to replace the entire water pump.
3Inspect the radiator cap. If the seal has gone bad, it's possible that antifreeze could leak from the top while the engine is running. If so, you need to replace the radiator cap.
4Check the radiator. Get underneath the car and check all around the radiator for possible leaks. Have the car parked on level ground and let it sit for an hour. If you see any pools of antifreeze form, check under the radiator to see where the antifreeze is coming from. If it is a small crack, you can use radiator stop leak as a temporary measure until you can replace the radiator. Radiator stop leak has thousands of tiny particles that are able to plug small leaks in metal, aluminum and plastic radiators. With the engine cold and the radiator cap off, start the engine. Let it run for a few minutes until you see the fluid in the radiator coming to the top. Add the stop leak to the radiator and replace the cap. Let the engine run for a few minutes and the radiator leak should be plugged.
