How to Identify a Car Radiator Leak?
2 Answers
Methods to identify a car radiator leak: 1. The radiator cap is not tightened properly. Be sure to wait until the engine has completely cooled down before checking. Opening the radiator cap hastily may cause the high-temperature, high-pressure coolant to spray out and cause injury. 2. Leakage in the radiator pipes, especially the inlet pipe. Tighten the hose clamps or add additional clamps to stop the leak. Alternatively, you can temporarily wrap the leaking area of the hose and promptly replace the faulty hose. If the radiator has a crack no larger than 1mm or a hole no larger than 2mm, you can add a strong radiator stop-leak agent into the radiator. Run the engine to activate the major circulation for 5 to 10 minutes. Any leaks in the cooling system, whether in the radiator, rubber hoses, or gaskets, will stop. The stop-leak agent does not need to be drained afterward and will not affect heat dissipation.
To determine if a car's radiator is leaking, I've figured out a few reliable methods myself. After parking, turning off the engine, and letting it cool down, immediately squat down and carefully inspect the ground beneath the car for any wet spots, especially those with green or pink liquid—that's definitely antifreeze leaking out. Then, pop open the hood, grab a flashlight, and shine it on the radiator body and connecting hoses to check for tiny cracks, rust spots, or damp patches—older cars are most prone to leaks at the joints. Start the engine and let the water temperature rise for three to five minutes, then watch the radiator area for any dripping water droplets or steam puffing out—this phenomenon is especially noticeable when the engine is hot. Don’t forget to monitor the coolant reservoir level to see if it’s dropping too quickly, like emptying out after just a few days of driving a hundred kilometers—that’s a sure sign of a leak. If you spot an issue, don’t delay. A small leak can lead to engine overheating and failure, costing thousands in repairs—far more trouble than it’s worth. For regular maintenance, I recommend checking it yourself monthly and cleaning the radiator grille to prevent dust buildup and accelerated corrosion.
