Why is the antifreeze level low?
2 Answers
Antifreeze is designed to prevent the coolant from freezing during cold winter parking, which could otherwise crack the radiator and damage the engine block. The reasons for low antifreeze levels are as follows: 1. Increased water temperature leading to natural evaporation. Antifreeze serves a cooling function for the car engine, which often operates at high temperatures. Since the antifreeze is in constant contact with the engine, some consumption is normal. 2. Corrosion and deterioration of the cylinder head gasket, resulting in severe antifreeze loss (especially if water is used as a substitute in summer, accelerating corrosion). Replacing the cylinder head gasket will resolve this issue. 3. Malfunctioning water pump or thermostat: This can cause the water temperature in the circulation system to rise excessively, leading to increased pressure inside the radiator and cooling system, which forces antifreeze to overflow from the reservoir. Prompt repair or replacement of the water pump or thermostat is necessary to restore normal function.
I've encountered the issue of coolant loss several times. When I first bought the car, I was particularly worried, but later I figured out the pattern. Under normal circumstances, the engine operates at high temperatures, causing slight evaporation of coolant, especially in hot weather or after long-distance driving. A decrease of about ten milliliters is quite normal. However, if you find yourself needing to top it off frequently, there's definitely a leak somewhere. Last time, it was due to aging hose connections that were seeping, with coolant dripping down the engine bay, leaving small oily puddles on the parking spot. Another time, I discovered the heater core was leaking, making the car's interior carpet damp. The most troublesome issue is a blown head gasket, where coolant mixes with the engine oil, and you can see milky white foam when you open the oil cap. I recommend checking all hose connections and the edges of the radiator in the engine bay. If there are no visible leaks, it's likely an internal circulation problem. Remember to use the same color-code coolant when topping up, as mixing with tap water can cause scaling and clog the pipes.
