What Causes a Car's Antifreeze to Be Low?
2 Answers
Car antifreeze may be low due to the following reasons: 1. Radiator damage or poor sealing of the upper and lower water chambers; 2. Loose connections and poor sealing at the overflow tank, water pump mating surface, or cooling system pipelines; 3. Damaged cylinder head gasket; 4. Warping at the joint between the cylinder head and engine block or loose cylinder head bolts. The functions of car antifreeze include: 1. Providing freeze protection for the engine against low-temperature environments; 2. Preventing coolant from freezing and cracking the radiator or damaging the engine block and cylinder head during cold winter parking; 3. Offering efficient heat dissipation. Car antifreeze should be replaced approximately every 2 years or 60,000 kilometers. Prolonged failure to replace it can degrade the antifreeze's quality, reducing its anti-corrosion properties and potentially damaging the radiator and pipelines.
I've encountered many cases of coolant loss when repairing cars, and the most common cause is leaks in the cooling system. Aging and cracked radiators, loose hose connections, and worn water pump seals can all lead to leakage. Another hidden spot is the heater core—if it leaks, you'll notice a sweet smell in the car. Coolant loss is especially common in winter because metal expands and contracts with temperature changes, loosening connections. Evaporation is another issue—when the engine overheats, the radiator cap's pressure relief valve releases steam. There's also the possibility of coolant entering the engine internals, such as due to a blown head gasket, which is more serious. I recommend checking the overflow tank level regularly when the engine is cold, and if the level drops quickly, inspect the pipes and seams carefully.
