What to Do When the Wuling Zhiguang's Radiator Keeps Losing Water?
3 Answers
Should replace the radiator. Here is the relevant introduction about the radiator: Concept: The car radiator, also known as the heat exchanger, is a major component in the car's cooling system. Its function is to dissipate heat. The coolant absorbs heat in the water jacket, flows to the radiator where the heat is dissipated, and then returns to the water jacket to circulate, achieving temperature regulation. It is a part of the car engine. Working Principle: The radiator is a crucial component of a water-cooled engine. As an important part of the heat dissipation circuit in a water-cooled engine, it can absorb heat from the cylinder block and prevent engine overheating. Due to the high specific heat capacity of water, the temperature does not rise significantly after absorbing heat from the cylinder block. Therefore, the engine's heat is transferred through the liquid circuit of the coolant.
Driving the Wuling Zhiguang for so many years, the constant lack of water in the radiator is indeed a headache. Common causes include loose or cracked hose connections, leaks in the radiator itself, a faulty water pump seal, or the most troublesome issue—a damaged engine cylinder gasket causing coolant to leak into the engine and burn off. Before every drive, I habitually check the ground for any water stains and pop the hood to see if the coolant level is dropping too quickly. If there's no obvious leak, it might be an internal issue, such as thick white smoke from the exhaust pipe during a cold start, which indicates coolant entering the combustion chamber. It's advisable to add antifreeze to the designated line when the engine is cold, and never open the cap when the engine is hot to avoid burns or splashing. Regularly take the car to a repair shop for a system check—it doesn't cost much but can save you from expensive engine overheating or seizure later. Use original or compatible antifreeze brands and avoid mixing different types to prevent reduced effectiveness. During every maintenance session, remind the technician to focus on the cooling system—small oversights could leave your car stranded on the road.
I just got my Wuling Sunshine, and the constant coolant loss has taught me some lessons. The root causes could be aging/cracked hoses, corroded/leaking radiator, worn water pump shaft seal, or internal coolant consumption due to faulty cylinder head gasket. DIY checks: On a cold morning, crawl under to check for drips or inspect the oil filler cap for milky residue (indicating coolant mixing). For rapid loss, lay newspapers overnight in the garage to trace leaks or visit a shop for pressure testing. Maintenance tips: Use distilled water as temporary top-up but switch to proper antifreeze immediately to prevent rust. Clean radiator exterior regularly to avoid clogging—I check levels biannually to prevent overheating breakdowns. Mechanics advise adding leak-proof tape for enhanced sealing, as this model is prone to such issues.
