Why is the engine coolant insufficient?
2 Answers
The insufficient engine coolant can be attributed to the following three reasons: 1. Leakage of the vehicle's coolant. 2. Malfunction of the water level sensor. 3. Coolant is a consumable item, and there will be evaporation loss after exposure to high temperatures, which is a normal phenomenon. Relevant information about coolant is as follows: 1. Meaning: Coolant, the full name should be antifreeze coolant, meaning coolant with antifreeze function. 2. Purpose: Antifreeze can prevent the coolant from freezing and cracking the radiator or damaging the engine cylinder block when the car is parked in cold seasons. 3. Composition and classification: Coolant consists of three parts: water, antifreeze, and additives. According to the different components of antifreeze, it can be divided into alcohol-based, glycerol-based, ethylene glycol-based, and other types of coolant.
I've always been a long-distance driving enthusiast and have encountered the issue of insufficient engine coolant several times. The most likely cause is leakage—small cracks can easily develop at the bottom of the radiator, hose connections may loosen on bumpy roads, or the water pump seal might wear out and cause seepage. Evaporation can also lead to a drop in coolant levels, especially when driving in high summer temperatures, as the coolant evaporates faster. Without regular checks, the level can drop unnoticed. Once, I got a low coolant warning on the highway, which nearly caused engine overheating. It turned out to be a minor leak from an aging hose. Now, I pop the hood every month to check the coolant level. If it's below the minimum mark, I top it up or head straight to the repair shop to check for leaks. Never overlook this small detail, or you might end up with a ruined engine—a costly mistake.
