1001 Sam Bass Rd, Round Rock, TX, 78681
(512) 255-2022
Do you ever see green or orange-colored liquid on the ground beneath your car? If you do, then you might be facing a coolant leak problem. A coolant leak is one of those issues that appear insignificant at first glance, but if not fixed on time, becomes a much bigger issue to your automobile. Coolant leaks are not as rare as many people might think, so it is important that you know the signs of coolant leaks and how you can fix or prevent them if you don’t want to end up paying a lot of money to have them repaired. Let’s start with the signs of a leak.
Signs of a Coolant Leak
- Overheating Engine: The first sign that there is a problem with the coolant and an indication that there is a leak, is that the car’s engine will overheat. If your engine temperature gauge shows you a high reading or you feel a cloud of steam coming from under the hood, it is a good time to check your car’s coolant levels.
- Puddles Under the Vehicle: If you find pools of brightly colored fluid – usually green, orange, or pink – beneath your vehicle, it is probably coolant. This is a clear indication that you have a coolant leak.
- Frequent Coolant Refills: If you are constantly adding more coolant, yet you don’t see any leakage, there may be an internal leakage.
- Sweet Smell: Coolant has a peculiar kind of smell; a sweet smell. If you smell this odor from your car, particularly around the engine, then it’s likely that you have a leaking coolant.
How to Address a Coolant Leak
- Tighten or Replace Hoses: The hoses that are used to transport coolant can wear out and become loose or have some cracks after years of use. If a hose is loose, it might be fixed simply by tightening the clamps. However, if the hose is cracked, or the rubber is worn out, then the hose needs to be replaced. Make sure the new hose is well-fixed so that it does not develop a leak in the future again.
- Radiator Repair or Replacement: Tiny holes in the radiator can be easily blocked with the use of a radiator sealant, which provides a temporary leakage cover. However, if you find out that the damage is severe, you should replace the radiator. A new radiator helps ensure that coolant can flow and cool the engine without any fluid loss.
- Replace Water Pump: A water pump has an important function of circulating the coolant around the engine. If the pump is leaking or has damaged seals, it will not perform the task as expected. Replacing the water pump will ensure the flow of coolants is normal again, and the engine is not likely to hit the highest temperatures or overheat.
- Head Gasket Replacement: A blown head gasket is a serious problem, as it causes the coolant to get into the oil or burn up in the combustion chamber. To fix a head gasket, you have to take off the engine head and install a new gasket on the top half of the engine. This is a very tedious process and should best be left to a professional. It has to be done early enough to stop internal coolant leaks and prevent further damage to the engine.
The Auto Repair Professionals You Can Trust In Round Rock
If there is one thing that we know 
how to do best at Adair & Sons Automotive, it is to keep the cooling system of your vehicle in check, whether you’re driving a Domestic, Asian, European, or Diesel engine vehicle. We have been offering the best auto repair services to drivers in Round Rock, TX, where our shop is located. We also make sure these services are extended to those in nearby areas like Austin, and Cedar Park, among others.
Our professional mechanics are trained to identify and manage coolant leakage, to help your engine run efficiently and control its temperature. Don’t let a small leak turn into a big issue, come to our shop in Round Rock or contact us to book an appointment. Let us manage your vehicle and ensure it continues to run for many more years.