7 Causes of a Coolant Leak: How to Fix It (& Repair Cost) (2024)

A coolant leak has a distinct smell and color, making it unmistakable from other fluid leaks. If you notice antifreeze dripping from the vehicle or the reservoir seems to be emptying, it’s time to fix your car.

In this guide, we cover the top reasons for a coolant leak. We also show you how to find it and fix it so you don’t cause more damage to the car. When you are all done, you’ll know more about the price to fix a coolant leak and find a few helpful answers to your top questions.

Common Reasons For A Coolant Leak

Some of the most common reasons to see coolant under the car are a leaking radiator hose, a bad water pump or a loose radiator hose clamp. Leaks can also be caused by a bad thermostat housing, a worn intake manifold gasket, a bad heater core, a damaged radiator or cap, or a blown head gasket.

Some of these issues aren’t a big deal and can be easily repaired, while others indicate a serious problem. Let’s take a closer look.

1. Leaking Radiator Hose

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Radiator hoses are needed to transport coolant. They are molded into specific curves to fit the space under the hood. These hoses are made from ethylene propylene (EPDM) in most cases. While this material is resistant to heat, chemicals and hot water, they aren’t immune to damage. After many years of use, the rubber hoses are going to crack and break.

At first, you may see a hose seeping a small amount of fluid. If you don’t fix it right away, the hose can blow, leaving your engine without coolant and causing major problems.

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2. Loose Or Weak Radiator Hose Clamp

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Clamps are responsible for holding the radiator hoses in place. These clamps can come in multiple forms, sometimes spring clamps are used, while other vehicles use wire clamps or screw and band clamps.

Either way, when the clamp wears out, the hose is going to leak. As with a leaking hose, you want to fix this problem sooner than later before the clamp gives out completely.

3. Leaking Water Pump

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The car’s water pump is responsible for circulating coolant from the radiator to the engine block and back again. It’s driven by a belt. When the water pump gets old, it can fail. Along with a leak, you may notice some other symptoms.

For starters, without the right amount of coolant circulating through the system, the engine can overheat. Additionally, you may hear a lower groaning sound coming from the pump before it fails.

4. Leaking Thermostat Housing

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Coolant leaks commonly occur around the thermostat housing because the seal cracks. This typically only occurs because the seal is old and worn out.

When this happens, the engine starts to overheat. If you leave it unrepaired, you could cause serious engine damage.

4. Leaking Intake Manifold Gasket

The intake manifold is responsible for distributing the air to the cylinders. Some cars have a water-cooled manifold, so it’s prone to leaking, especially if the gasket fails.

With a leak, you will smell the coolant and possibly see some steam. There could also be pooling of the cooling under the vehicle, with more leaking as the gasket continues to deteriorate.

5. Bad Heater Core

The heater core heats the cabin with the warm coolant from the motor. Some of the coolant moves through the heater core in the dashboard. It only takes a leak that’s the size of a pinhole to start spraying coolant out of the vents into the cabin when the heat is running.

This typically signifies that the heater core is just starting to fail. You may also see some coolant on the floor under the dashboard.

6. Damaged Radiator or Radiator Cap

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The radiator cap seems like it couldn’t cause trouble considering how small it is. Yet, this small part has a big job because it has to keep the pressurized fluid in the cooling system. If the seal of the cap gets dirty or deteriorates, fluid can leak out.

Additionally, your car radiator endures tons of the stress from extreme temperature and moisture. Eventually, it’s going to start corroding. If fluid is leaking from the radiator, there’s a good chance that there’s a hole causing the problem.

7. Blown Head Gasket

One of the worst scenarios to face is a blown head gasket. The head gasket is responsible for keeping the motor oil and coolant separated in the engine block. If the head gasket blows, you’ll start to see the temperature of the engine rising.

While you may not see a physical coolant leak, the reservoir may start to go down. Otherwise, you could see the oil and the coolant mixing because there’s an internal leak to deal with.

How To Find And Fix A Coolant Leak

The key to fixing the leak is to find it first. There are multiple ways we handle these problems as professionals, so here are a few tips.

1. Pressure Test The System

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If there’s a leak, but you can’t figure out where it’s coming from, you want to run a pressure test. Here are the steps to follow.

  1. Install the radiator pressure tester at the neck of the reservoir.
  2. Pump until it hits the pressure listed on the radiator cap.
  3. Check the hoses, radiator and around the engine for leaks.
  4. You should also check the cabin for heater core leaks.

If the pressure drops but you don’t see a leak, assume that you may have a blown head gasket.

2. Fix The Leaking Part

Once you’ve determined what’s causing the leak, it’s time to repair it. If it’s a hose or a clamp, you may not have a lot of trouble doing this yourself.

However, more serious repairs, such as a radiator replacement or a blown head gasket may be beyond your level of expertise. Don’t be afraid to jump to step number five if you need more help.

3. Fill and Bleed the Cooling System

Once you have repaired the problem, you must refill the cooling system and bleed it. There should never be air inside the cooling system. Here are the steps to help you with this procedure.

  1. Remove the radiator cap with the engine off and cooled down.
  2. Insert your funnel into the radiator.
  3. Fill the radiator with coolant. Take your time, as the level may drop as some air bubbles pop on their own.
  4. Start the vehicle once the radiator is full.
  5. Turn the heater on to the hottest temperature with the fan on Low.
  6. Monitor the temperature coming out of the vents.
  7. As the coolant level drops, top it off with fresh fluid.
  8. Once there is heat coming from the vents, check the temperature gauge to ensure it’s in the normal operating range.
  9. Turn off the vehicle and replace your radiator cap.

You have successfully bled the cooling system. Now it’s time to see how the system works.

4. Test Drive and Inspect for Leaks

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Take your car out for a spin and carefully watch the temperature gauge. You don’t want to go too far from home just in case the fix didn’t work.

When you arrive back, look underneath the car for any leaks. You can also leave a piece of cardboard under it overnight to see if anything drips.

5. Contact A Professional

If you are having trouble getting the leak fixed, it’s time to employ a mechanic. You don’t want to let the leak go unchecked or you could cause serious engine damage.

Research the local auto repair shops to make sure you go to a reliable garage. Also, ask for an estimate and compare it with some other quotes to ensure you aren’t paying too much.

Coolant Leak Repair Cost

The cost to repair a coolant leak varies greatly depending on what needs to be fixed. Let’s examine a few averages, figuring that you need the parts and labor.

  • Replace coolant hose: $75 to $450
  • Replace coolant hose clamp: $75 to $450
  • Replace water pump: $300 to $800
  • Replace thermostat housing gasket: $150 to $350
  • Replace heater core: $300 to $1,250
  • Replace radiator: $750 to $3,000
  • Fix blown head gasket: $1,500 to $2,750

If you can do any of this work yourself, you would only need to buy the parts.

How serious is a coolant leak?

The engine needs the coolant to maintain a normal operating temperature. If the coolant leaks and can’t keep the temperatures down, the engine will overheat. When this occurs, serious engine damage is sure to follow. Therefore, coolant is vital to the normal operation of your car, so you shouldn’t avoid fixing a leak.

Is a coolant leak easy to fix?

It can be if you need to replace a radiator cap or a hose that’s in an accessible location. Otherwise, many of the other fixes can be more difficult, especially if you need to replace the radiator or fix a blown head gasket. You may be able to prevent more costly repairs by fixing the leak early on.

Can you drive a car with a coolant leak?

You shouldn’t continue driving with a coolant leak. Even if it looks small right now, it could turn into something major quickly. At any time, a hose could blow or a part could fail, allowing the fluid to dump out. If that happens, the engine will overheat and it could sustain serious damage.

What causes a sudden coolant leak?

A torn hose or hole in the radiator can cause the coolant to pour out quickly. It can also be caused by the failure of any of the cooling system parts. If there’s a leak that you can’t see, it could be infiltrating the engine block due to a blown head gasket.

Can you use a radiator stop leak additive?

Some people swear by radiator stop leak fixes and they may provide a small temporary solution. However, most automotive mechanics do not recommend the use of these additives as they can create more damage in the long run. Instead, it’s best to fix the leak the right way.

At the first sign of a coolant leak, you want to jump into action. Not only is coolant dangerous to pets and kids but letting a leak continue may lead to serious consequences. Troubleshoot the system to see if you can tell where the leak is coming from.

Once you spot it, take steps to repair it the best you can. If you aren’t comfortable working on the cooling system, take your vehicle to a mechanic for a professional repair. A coolant leak doesn’t need to ruin your car engine, but it will if you neglect to have it fixed.

Categories: Coolant, Troubleshooting

7 Causes of a Coolant Leak: How to Fix It (& Repair Cost) (2024)

FAQs

How much should it cost to fix a coolant leak? ›

The average cost to fix a coolant leak is $275, with prices ranging from $150-$400 in the U.S. Car coolant leaks can occur due to several underlying issues like a loose hose clamp or a cracked engine head.

Is it worth fixing a coolant leak? ›

A coolant leak can have serious consequences, including: Engine Overheating: A reduction in coolant levels can lead to overheating, potentially causing engine damage. Reduced Engine Efficiency: Low coolant levels can affect engine performance and fuel efficiency.

Is a coolant leak an easy fix? ›

If your leak is because of something more serious, such as a blown head gasket, your fix is not so simple. While replacing a bad head gasket is the best way to go in the longterm, such a replacement is very labor intensive and expensive, and you may be able to use a sealant for less serious cracks or breaks.

Can I drive with a coolant leak? ›

While driving with a coolant leak doesn't pose an immediate threat to your well-being, we highly recommend that you avoid doing so. Driving a car that is leaking coolant can cause serious damage to your engine. Your engine can overheat, costing you big time.

Is a coolant leak a big job? ›

Without coolant, your car can become damaged and break down from everyday usage or the extremes of hot and cold weather that are becoming ever more frequent. That means a coolant leak can be an especially expensive and frustrating thing for drivers to experience.

How long will a car run with a coolant leak? ›

A car with a broken radiator might drive for only a few minutes before its engine overheats. How long it lasts will depend on how much you work the engine, how fast you drive, how hot the day is and how little coolant is actually inside your cooling system.

Does coolant leak mean blown head gasket? ›

You might see oil or coolant leak out between the engine block and cylinder head. You can sometimes see streaks of oil or coolant coming out of the gasket. On the other hand, you might find that you're losing coolant but you can't see any leaks. This is also a sign that you could have a blown gasket.

Do coolant leak sealers work? ›

The answer to this question is yes, radiator sealants really do work. However, they are not a miracle solution, and are only good for a temporary fix. Even so-called “permanent” sealants will only last for months, not years. A good radiator sealant can seal all kinds of cooling system leaks.

How do I find out where my coolant is leaking from? ›

If you can locate a drip on a hose, the engine block or can see a radiator leak, and there's a pool of coolant under the car, then it's an external leak. If there are no puddles beneath the vehicle, yet the coolant level is dropping, you have an internal leak, which means the coolant is leaking into the engine.

How big of a deal is a coolant leak? ›

Coolant leaks might not seem like a big deal, but it could create a hazardous situation for your car's engine. Without the proper amount of antifreeze, your engine could overheat (or freeze in winter months). Because it plays such a critical role in how well your engine runs, coolant should be checked regularly.

How long does it take to replace a coolant leak? ›

Minor repairs like replacing hoses or clamps can take an hour or less. Larger repairs like replacing a radiator or coolant reservoir will take 3-4 hours. Major repairs such as a head gasket replacement can take a day or more, so it's best to deal with small leaks before they become major headaches later.

How expensive is it to fix a coolant leak? ›

While the average coolant leak repair cost when hiring a pro specializing in local air conditioning repair is between $150 and $2,000 with everything from the service call to parts and labor included, homeowners attempting to fix a coolant leak on their own can pay around $800 to correct common issues.

Why is my coolant leaking but not overheating? ›

Check all your coolant hoses for cracks, tears, and loose clamps. Check the water pump, you may have to remove a plastic timing belt dust cover to check this, but usually you'll see coolant dripping from the buttom of the cover if its the culprit. Check you radiator and coolant reservoir for cracks and leaks.

Can a coolant leak destroy engine? ›

A leak can have severe consequences for a vehicle and its engine. The most immediate impact is that the car can overheat, leading to a loss of power, poor performance, and potential engine damage. A leak can lead to decreased fuel efficiency, as the engine works harder to compensate for the loss of coolant.

Is an engine coolant leak expensive? ›

Engine coolant leaks can be quite simple fixes – but can also be very expensive. Prices can range from around £50 to £300, depending on the make, model, age, and type of vehicle. If the radiator needs to be removed and have more extensive work carried out to fix the issue, then the bill could be more than £1,000.

How serious is a coolant leak? ›

If you suspect that your vehicle has a coolant leak, it's time to make an appointment with your auto technician. A leak won't fix itself and can get worse quickly; this can lead to further damage to your car's engine. Don't ignore the signs of a coolant leak and risk being stranded on the side of the road.

Does Jiffy Lube fix coolant leaks? ›

Plus Jiffy Lube uses high-quality Pennzoil® products (where applicable). Replacement options will be explained, and, with your permission, the technician will perform a coolant leak fix. Questions are encouraged, and no work will be done before you receive an estimate and give your approval.

Will stop leak fix a coolant leak? ›

Coolant leak repair with stop-leak and similar products is a simple fix, but not a permanent one. The answer to this question is yes, radiator sealants really do work. However, they are not a miracle solution, and are only good for a temporary fix.

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