All types of cars, even electrical ones, will generate heat. That’s why your car relies on engine coolant to keep cool. If you don’t make sure you have enough coolant in your car, then it could lead to some potentially dangerous side-effects…
Engine Coolant: Spotting Problems
Effects of low coolant
If you don’t have enough engine coolant, then you can expect to see some serious damage occur to your engine. For starters, your engine will more easily overheat, which can cause it to seize up. It’s entirely possible that you can get the engine so hot that the pistons will get welded to the cylinders!
You may also see the head gasket from your engine blow. You can spot this usually by heading a constant knocking sound, along with smoke from the engine. Some more modern cars will actually shut down if the engine gets to hot. When this happens, then you’ll know something is wrong with your coolant levels.
Potentials signs of problems
There are a few common signs of low engine coolant. One of the easiest ones to notice is when your temperature gauge is always in the red. When this is consistently happening, you’ll quickly be able to tell that your engine is getting way too hot, possibly due to coolant issues.
Other signs can be seen in your A/C system. If you get hot air even when you have the A/C running, it may be due to low coolant levels. There may also be a noticeable sweet smell coming through your vents when your coolant is leaking. This is due to the glycol in coolant, which smells sweet and helps regulate freezing and boiling points.
Common causes of leaks
Usually, you won’t need to replace your engine coolant as much as other fluids, like your oil. Still, a leak could cause you to constantly need to add more coolant to your car. That’s why if you are experiencing cooling issues, you should make sure to check for leaks.
Leaks tend to pop up in a few common areas. External leaks tend to occur from radiator hoses and connections, or from the radiator cap themselves due to a faulty seal. There may also be internal leaks, such as coolant leaking from the head gasket. It’s best to have a mechanic fix these leaks to ensure they’re taken care of properly.