Coolant is leaking?

Hello,

The best way to fix the vehicle is to repair what has failed in the cooling system. First we need to figure out where the leak is. Please go to this link below:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-is-leaking-coolant

Please go through this guide and get back to us with where the leak is. We can go from there.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros

I am losing coolant on a daily basis with no visible leaks, no smoke, or wet spots. I have replaced the reservoir cap, the water pump, and a week and a half ago, the head gasket. The shop that did the head gasket said it probably was just an air pocket but it has been a week and a half and about three hundred miles and stills disappears from overflow reservoir daily. I feel ripped off and am tapped out but this is my daughters transportation for my seven month old granddaughter and it is not paid off. Any advice would be very helpful.

If coolant is depleting, there must be a leak somewhere and one of the first procedure we do is to perform a cooling system pressure test.

This would enable us to detect pressure loss and also provide us a location of leaks. Some times when engine is cold, the pressure test might be good and at times when it is warmed up so you need to do both cold and warmed up engine test if it yields no results.

Look under the carpet in interior for signs of dampness which could mean a leak from the heater core .

The mechanic that did the head gasket, did the pressure tests beforehand. No dampness inside or under the hood. As I have stated previously, no visible signs of where coolant is going.

About the only other possibility is the coolant is leaking or dripping onto something really hot, like the exhaust manifold and causing steam and evaporating away, but then again you would have probably noticed steam under the hood, but I suppose it is possibly maybe you have not, so check for steam and a sound like frying bacon once in awhile, whenever the coolant hits something hot.

When pressure test was performed, did the pressure drop indicating a leak? Was it performed with a cold or hot engine?

Leaks that are minor might take a long time to show a drop in pressure and sometimes you might not see anything indicating a leak.

Around areas of possible leaks, look for signs of accumulation of coolant residues (powdered residues). These most commonly occurs at hose joints, water pump, radiator ( by the way look at the drain cork closely) If there is a leak there, it would not leave any stains.

As I mentioned, if coolant is depleting, there must be a leak somewhere, only you have not been able to locate it yet.

I have a rapid leak coming from the bottom of the car (picture attached). I had to keep putting water in the reservoir in order to make it home before the car overheated too bad. It looks like the leak is coming from two places but mainly the one outlined in red in the picture. It alao seems that the leak is occurring before reaching the radiator. Also, we have checked to see if the reservoir was cracked at the bottom but it wasnt. Any ideas?

Hello,

It looks like it could be a heater hose from above open the hood and take a look here is a guide that will help us find the problem as well.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-is-leaking-coolant

Please run down this guide and report back.

They replaced the intake gasket, cost $560.00 all set.

What could be causing the coolant tank to loose coolant. there has not been any leakage under the car

check to make sure the coolant isn't mixing with the engine oil. Also, pay attention to the exhaust. Is there white smoke coming from it that would indicate coolant is getting burned in the combustion chamber.

I have a 2005 malibu that has a serioius leak. The Low Coolant indicator has come on, I try adding more but the coolant is leaking quickly. I am taking it in for repairs, but am worried about driving the 6 miles with the leak. Am I ok, if I top it off and the car leaks to the repair shop? The temp guage is what I should use as my indicator correct? Does it help that where I live the temperature is like 5 degrees out? Or do I need to call and pay the money for the tow?

6 miles isn't far. Top off your coolant and take along an extra jug.

Watch the temp gauge. If it goes anywhere over the half-way mark, shut your motor down and wait until it cools enough to remove the filler cap.

Check fluid level, and if low, top off.

You should be able to make the trip non stop. But if not, you'll only have to stop once to cool your motor.

If I've helped you, please take the time to vote for me as my reputation pays my bills. Thanx, Ernest.

I have an outside coolant leak on my 2004 chevy malibu. What could that be?

Could be the radiator and the upper and lower radiator hoses, heater hoses-water pump, etc.

I forgot to add that it is on the passenger side. I had a mechanic look at it yesterday and he said it was the recovery tank, he replaced it and it is still leaking