Why Does a Car Burn Antifreeze?
4 Answers
Antifreeze is primarily used in the cooling system of liquid-cooled engines. It offers excellent performance in preventing freezing in winter, boiling in summer, and protecting against scale and corrosion throughout the year. Method for Replacing Antifreeze: Before completely replacing the antifreeze, conduct a thorough inspection to check for any signs of leakage or cracks in the pipes, with a particular focus on the five-way hose. The five-way hose gets its name from having five connection points to various parts. Antifreeze flows through the five-way hose and is distributed to different parts of the car to perform its function. If there is any leakage of antifreeze in this section, replace the hose or resecure the connection as needed. Drain the old antifreeze, then flush the liquid channels with clean water. Add clean water to the antifreeze reservoir and continue filling it until water flows continuously through the engine cooling system. Then, start the engine and let it idle for 3 to 5 minutes to circulate the water. The water initially flowing out of the reservoir will have a faint pink tint. Keep adding clean water until the outflow is clear. Note: Remember to remove the heater hose and drain the water from the heater core. About an hour after draining, add the new antifreeze through the radiator hose to allow it to flow quickly into the radiator. Then, add another container of antifreeze to the antifreeze reservoir until it is nearly full. Start the engine and let it run for about 10 minutes. During this time, the coolant level will drop slightly as air is purged from the system. Top up the antifreeze to the "MAXT" mark on the reservoir.
My car used to consume antifreeze, meaning the coolant was mysteriously depleting too quickly. At first, I thought it was normal evaporation, but later discovered it was due to a leaking water pump joint that had aged. Other common causes include small cracks in the radiator or a failed engine cylinder head gasket, which can allow coolant to leak into the engine and get burned off. This situation is particularly dangerous because the liquid can dilute the engine oil, accelerating engine wear. External issues like aging hoses or loose connections can also easily lead to leaks, causing your car's temperature to spike. If you encounter this issue, I recommend first checking the ground beneath your car for any signs of leakage or monitoring the expansion tank's fluid level to see if it's steadily dropping. Don’t wait for a major problem to arise—seek professional repair as soon as possible, as an overheating engine while driving could lead to a complete breakdown.
As a car owner, I believe coolant burning or leakage issues should be analyzed from both internal and external factors. Internal leakage commonly occurs when the cylinder head gasket is damaged, allowing coolant to seep into the combustion chamber and get ignited, which may result in white smoke from the exhaust. External issues include radiator corrosion, loose hose connections, or poor water pump seals, which can cause coolant to leak outside the engine. In a properly functioning closed system, antifreeze loss is minimal. If consumption is rapid, it's essential to check for leaks, such as using a pressure testing tool to detect system pressure drops. Remember, ignoring this can damage the engine, such as overheating leading to cylinder deformation. Regular maintenance should include checking hoses and connections for aging; early repairs ensure peace of mind, saving both money and time.
I noticed that the antifreeze is burning off or leaking quickly, which is due to not maintaining the car for too long, resulting in the failure of internal engine gaskets and the fluid leaking in and burning. External leaks are also common, such as small holes in the radiator or loose hose connections. This is very dangerous; if not repaired in time, the engine temperature can skyrocket, even leading to cylinder explosion, and may damage other parts. So, before parking, take an extra look at the ground for any colored oil stains, regularly check the coolant level in the radiator for safety, and don’t save small money to invite big trouble.
