For drivers, a car coolant system is an essential automotive component. This item allows the car engine to run for a longer period, minimizing the chance of fire and explosion and limiting difficulties and damage when drivers are in control of their vehicles.
Furthermore, coolant is a liquid poured into a vehicle’s engine to keep the radiator fluid from freezing in the wintertime and boiling in the summertime.
But what happens if the coolant evaporates? Is it normal for coolant level to drop? And why is my coolant level low? If you’re wondering about these questions, our article is the right place for you.
We’ll discuss our findings, the cause of coolant loss, and some strategies for dealing with a car losing coolant. Let’s visit our post right now to learn more!
Is It Normal For Coolant Level To Drop?
A decline in coolant level is common among automobile owners, but some are curious if it happens faster when their engine heats up.
While on the road, our car may be exposed to harsh cold or excessive heat. Extreme temperatures will undoubtedly have an impact on the engines of all automobiles.
Every 4-6 months, the coolant level should decline by around 0.25 percent. You shouldn’t be concerned when you lose roughly 2-3 ounces over a year.
However, if you don’t check the coolant for a long period, you might be astonished to learn that your engine has very little or no coolant.
Although coolant loss is normal, the engine will deteriorate in case there is a lack of coolant. Therefore, it’s critical that you understand the importance of having enough coolant in your vehicle.
Why does coolant get low? To know the factors that may lead to the decrease of coolant, follow the next section!
What Causes The Coolant Level To Drop?
Faulty Head Gasket
When an automobile engine is running, the amount of coolant and the head gasket is linked.
That might happen once the head gasket is damaged by insufficient coolant or if the coolant suddenly disappears due to a malfunctioning head gasket.
A worn-out head gasket can let coolant enter the engine’s combustion chamber, causing damage to the engine compartment and cylinder. You may notice white fumes escaping from the engine during this time.
Cooling System Damage
The cooling system of an automobile engine consists of various components. The pump, thermostat, and radiator fan are examples of these parts.
Cooling system damage is a typical cause of low coolant levels. Although the cooling system is a closed system that should not leak, various issues can cause it to drip over time.
That’s the answer to the question “Does coolant level drop over time?”. You may not detect an issue until the temperature increases if the leak is slow enough.
A thermostat in the cooling system locked in a closed position is another typical motive of coolant loss in your engine. The engine will overheat if the thermostat is closed because the coolant cannot flow correctly through the system.
What is more? If your vehicle’s radiator is too old, it can cause a buildup of rust inside the cooling tubes where the coolant runs through the system. As a result, the volume of liquid flowing through the radiator is less than usual.
Rusty/Faulty Reservoir Cap
The major function of a radiator cap is to maintain a sufficient coolant level and reservoir pressure to allow for optimal coolant flow around the hose.
Overheating, coolant leakage, and serious engine damage can all be generated by a rusted or damaged radiator cap.
The car reservoir cap’s job is to guarantee that the coolant levels are appropriate and that the pressure is controlled so that the coolant runs at the proper speed through the horse pipes and into the engine.
As a result, if the cap is broken, coolant loss will be increased.
Overflow Reservoir
When the automobile is moving, the radiator contains the water or coolant aimed at keeping the engine cool.
Coolant fluid will leak out of the radiator coolant overflow tank if broken or fractured. You can see fractures that might emerge when the radiator overflow tank too full.
Small pools or coolant droplets should appear on your garage floor or entrance.
Radiator Leakage
Radiator fluid leaks are most commonly caused by corrosion. Although coolant aids in preventing radiator corrosion, it is unable to ward off all leaks. If you have a little fluid leak, you can fix it.
On the other hand, a severe coolant blow out of the reservoir may need the purchase of a new radiator.
The radiator is constructed of lightweight aluminum and is exposed to high temperatures. Furthermore, because the coolant is costly, some consumers switch to a lower-grade coolant or use water instead.
Both of these render the radiator to corrode and lead to coolant loss.
Damaged Radiator Hoses
A little fractured hose problem might cause your engine coolant to drop. A radiator hose is more likely to withstand the heat of a running engine since it is located relatively near to it.
As a result, the hose cracks, and coolant leaks out. The head gasket is harmed due to the coolant leaking, and the engine eventually fails.
How To Fix Engine Coolant Level Dropping?
Here are some effective methods to prevent engine coolant level decreasing. We also instruct you to change or add coolant to your car. Scroll down to learn!
Topping Off Coolant
If the reservoir’s coolant level is low, fill it up to the maximum fill line, but not more than that. When the coolant mixture heats up, it expands, requiring more space.
One approach to keep your radiator in excellent operating order is to keep the coolant amount at the proper level.
To do this, you can fill the radiator directly. Note that you must do this while the engine is completely cool. Before you start your automobile in the morning, check and add coolant.
Then you have to push down and turn to the right to open the radiator cap. Make sure the fluid is below the fill neck when you look inside.
Add Water To The Coolant
You can top up with water, but only in an emergency to get to a garage. As engine coolant includes antifreeze, diluting it with water lowers the boiling point, and the coolant ceases to function properly.
The cooling water tank for an automobile is normally found in the engine compartment or under the hood.
When visually inspecting the coolant level in the water tank, make sure that it is always between the “Full” and “Low” marks; some automobiles have the “Min” and “Max” indicators.
If the coolant level in the automobile falls below “Low,” you’ll need to add extra coolant.
Today’s automobiles come equipped with a second water tank. The cooling system’s temperature and water level in cars rise when the engine is heated, causing water to overflow into the supplementary tank.
Water from the auxiliary tank is pulled back into the cooling system when the engine cools down.
Replacing Damaged or Old Hose Clamps
Hose clamps, little metal rings with a screw or other mechanism to sink them tight, keep a car’s hoses in place.
This part might break as the automobile ages or if it is utilized in an area where rust is almost guaranteed due to regular road salting. When that happens, here’s how to replace them:
First, you should allow 5-10 minutes for the car to rest and cool. After that, you’ll need to pop the hood and unscrew the radiator cap. Locate the hose clamp that is broken or worn.
You may need to remove some coolant depending on where the hose clamp is located.
Take out the broken or outdated hose clamp; you may also cut it. The next step is that you must slide the new hose clamp onto the hose that has been loosened.
Note that you should tighten the hose clamp as much as possible. Retighten the radiator cap after adding additional fluid level to the radiator.
Start the automobile and let it warm up to its normal operating temperature. You may now check for leaks in the new clamp. You’re done if everything looks good.
Replacing a Radiator Hose
Radiator hoses should be replaced every four years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first.
The plastic and rubber hoses that supply the engine’s critical fluids can snap, crackle, and pop as a car becomes older. A few coolant drips will most likely fall to the ground, but this can rapidly escalate into a deluge.
You’ll have to replace them once this happens. If you’re replacing your hose on your own, make sure you obtain the right one compatible with the year and the model.
FAQs
How Often Do You Need to Top Up Coolant?
It should be topped up when the coolant level falls below the guidance markings. Manufacturers’ recommendations vary. However, this might be after 30,000 miles, depending on how old your automobile is.
How Much Coolant Loss Is Normal?
As we’ve discussed, coolant levels tend to drop by 0.25 percent every 4-6 months, especially the coolant level low when cold.
Is It Safe To Drive If Engine Coolant Is Low?
You might expect major problems if you drive with low engine coolant levels. In particular, driving with insufficient coolant can cause your engine to overheat, which can be dangerous to your engine, car, and journey.
Why Does My Engine Coolant Keep Disappearing?
It can be caused by a lack of cooling provided by the water boiler, a broken thermostat, a clogged antifreeze system, or overheating.
Leaks surrounding your pump aren’t the only clue that your cooling system is in jeopardy; there might also be leaks throughout the radiator’s network of hoses.
Why Is My Coolant Disappearing But No Leak?
Several components might be responsible for coolant loss when there is no leak-evidence. This might be caused by a burst head gasket, worn-out cylinder hose, a cracking cylinder head, or even a gas leak.
When your automobile engine endures a gas leak, keep in mind that your car won’t start until you give it gas.
Can Antifreeze Evaporate?
At the very least, it does not evaporate the same way as water does. That is because antifreeze has several chemical features that make it difficult to evaporate.
What Happens If The Coolant Is Below A Minimum?
When your coolant level is low, your engine will begin to overheat. To avoid engine damage, the function will immediately turn off the engine. You will be able to drive your automobile again once your engine has cooled down.
Recap
All in all, we hope you’ve known the answer to the question, “ Is it normal for coolant level to drop?” or “ Why does my coolant keep getting low?.
But that’s not all. From our sharing about the topic, you can discover more fun facts you may not know, such as how to fix the coolant reservoir low.
Keep in mind that driving a car with a faulty cooling system is a recipe for engine failure.
If you live in an area where the temperature is extremely cold, you should invest in a coolant with antifreeze characteristics and learn more about what causes antifreeze to be low.
Enough coolant level will guarantee that your engine performs smoothly and to its full potential.
Should you have any questions, feel free to leave comments for us. Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for the next article.