What are the reasons for rapid consumption of car antifreeze?
2 Answers
The reasons for rapid consumption of car antifreeze are: 1. Radiator damage, poor sealing of upper and lower water chambers causing coolant leakage; 2. Overflow tank, water pump joint surface and loose connections in the cooling system pipelines leading to coolant leakage. Solutions for excessive antifreeze consumption: Regularly inspect all sealing points and connections, ensure proper tightening where needed, and never reuse leak-proof gaskets or tapes. The full name of antifreeze is antifreeze coolant, which prevents the coolant from freezing and cracking the radiator or damaging the engine cylinder block or head during cold winter parking.
My old car also had the issue of coolant rapidly disappearing last year, and it took a long time to figure out. First, check under the car for any wet spots on the radiator and hoses—sometimes it’s due to aging O-ring leaks at the joints. Also, watch for pinkish water stains on the ground after parking; that’s definitely a leak. Pay special attention to the water pump shaft seal—my car had a dripping water pump that soaked and ruined the belt. Don’t overlook the heater core either; last winter, I kept smelling a sweet odor when using the heater, only to find a leak behind the dashboard. Another red flag is white smoke from the front—it could mean a blown head gasket letting coolant into the combustion chamber. The trickiest culprit is a cracked coolant reservoir that leaks at high temps but seals when cold; you’ll need to monitor the temp gauge closely to spot this. Always keep a bottle of distilled water handy for emergencies—it can save you if the engine overheats on the road.
