Why Does Car Antifreeze Decrease Over Time?
1 Answers
Car antifreeze decreases over time for the following reasons: 1. The first reason is natural consumption. All automotive fluids experience some level of consumption. Since antifreeze is responsible for cooling the car engine and is often exposed to high temperatures, it is normal for antifreeze to decrease by about 10% to 36% per year. 2. The second reason is leakage. If you find yourself needing to top up the antifreeze every three to four days, this indicates a leak. Rubber and metal pipes, frequently exposed to high temperatures, can age due to thermal expansion and contraction. Even small gaps can allow antifreeze to seep out. Common leakage points include the radiator hoses, air conditioning heater hoses, thermostat, and water pump seals. 3. The third reason is antifreeze entering the combustion chamber. This can happen due to issues like cylinder block cracks, cylinder head gasket erosion, or corrosion deformation. In such cases, you can check the oil dipstick to see if the engine oil has emulsified. This occurs because the cylinder block has both oil and coolant passages. If the cylinder head gasket is damaged, the coolant passage loses its seal, allowing antifreeze to mix with the oil.