What to Do If the Antifreeze Leak Cannot Be Located?
1 Answers
Antifreeze leaks can be categorized into external leaks and internal leaks. Below is an introduction to both types: 1. External leaks. This refers to situations where antifreeze leaks outside the engine system, such as in areas like hoses, hose connections, water pumps, radiator tanks, or heater cores. 2. Internal leaks. This refers to antifreeze leaking inside the engine. If the antifreeze level keeps decreasing without any visible external leaks, an internal leak may be the cause. Below are the reasons for internal leaks: 1. A damaged cylinder head gasket can cause coolant to enter the oil passages or combustion chamber. Coolant entering the oil passages can be identified by checking if the engine oil has emulsified. Coolant entering the combustion chamber will participate in combustion. If the spark plug's center electrode is wet or white smoke is emitted from the exhaust pipe during cold starts or driving, it can be concluded that there is an internal coolant leak. To address this issue, engine repair is required, including replacing damaged components like the cylinder head gasket. 2. Sand holes or fine cracks in the cylinder walls can also cause antifreeze to enter the combustion chamber. Sand holes are generally related to casting process issues, while cracks are often caused by improper use or maintenance, such as prolonged high-load operation, excessive thermal stress, or sudden exposure to cold water when the engine is hot. For such faults, if they cannot be repaired, the cylinder block must be replaced.
