Where Does the Coolant Leak in a Cruze Occur?
2 Answers
The coolant in a Cruze may leak from the water pump, radiator, thermostat, coolant reservoir, the rear five-way connector on the cylinder head, or the small hose connecting the throttle body to the rear five-way connector on the cylinder head. Coolant prevents the freezing of the liquid in the cooling system during cold winter stops, which could otherwise cause the radiator to crack or damage the engine block or cylinder head. Generally, vehicle coolant should be replaced every 2 years or 40,000 kilometers. This is only a reference interval. For commercial vehicles with higher mileage, the replacement interval should be shorter. Since driving conditions vary for each vehicle, the replacement should be based on actual usage. Regularly check the coolant level and top it up if it's low. If suspended particles, sediment, or discoloration are observed in the coolant, replace it immediately and flush the system. The basic indicators of coolant are its freezing and boiling points. Available coolant options in the market have freezing points of -15°C, -25°C, -30°C, -40°C, etc. It's advisable to choose a coolant with a freezing point at least 10°C lower than the lowest temperature in your region.
My old Cruze had a coolant leak before, and it took a long time to find the issue. The most common leaks are at the seams of the plastic water chambers on both sides of the radiator—over time, the plastic degrades and starts seeping. The plastic thermostat housing tee is like a ticking time bomb; mine suddenly cracked and sprayed coolant on the highway. The heater hose connections are also prone to leaks, especially during winter when temperatures fluctuate. If the water pump seal wears out, coolant will drip down the engine. The most troublesome is a head gasket leak, where coolant mixes with the engine oil, and white smoke comes out of the exhaust. After replacing the tee, I always ask the mechanic to check these spots during maintenance—losing all the coolant would mean engine failure.
