5 Reasons Your Radiator is Leaking

What are the reasons your car’s radiator is leaking?

1. Corrosion Found in the Radiator
2. A Leaking Radiator Cap
3. Failing Water Pump
4. A Blown Head Gasket
5. Issues with the Expansion Tank

Many fluids can leak out of your car from its engine oil to the transmission fluid to the coolant. When you spot any of these leaks, you should avoid driving long distances and address the problem immediately.

This is especially important if you spot a coolant leakage. This is usually found around the radiator’s different parts like its cap and hoses. There are many reasons your radiator is leaking. Once spotted, you can get to the root of the cause and address the reasons behind the leak. Continue reading to learn more!

Role of a Car’s Radiator

The radiator in a car keeps the entire vehicle cool. It is located under the hood, right in front of the engine. Right beside it is the coolant reservoir, an important component of the radiator.

It can keep the entire vehicle cool by venting the heat produced in the engine. As long as the radiator works properly, it eliminates heat from the engine.

Corrosion Found in the Radiator

A radiator can’t stay brand new forever. It eventually ages, especially when it is put under constant pressure and heat.

Your radiator will start to corrode over time. As a result, rust and microscopic cracks start to form. When this happens, air and sediments find a way to enter and form even larger holes. This eventually leaks into the radiator itself.

A Leaking Radiator Cap

The radiator’s cap is one of its parts that is put under extreme pressure and heat. That’s why when your mechanics remove this, they’ll need to wait for the engine to be completely cooled down.

In your car’s radiator, the cap creates a tight seal for its entire cooling system to remain at the right pressure. Over time, the seal can start to deteriorate. Its spring can also start to wear out.

When the radiator cap’s tight seal is broken, coolant in its heated and gaseous state seeps out from beneath the cap. When this happens, the hole can become large enough for liquid coolant to escape.

Failing Water Pump

The radiator of your car also possesses a water pump. This ensures that the coolant is circulated throughout the entire system. It is powered by a belt located on the lower part of the engine.

Many problems can happen with the radiator’s water pump. For instance, its belt is connected to the radiator’s lower hose. As the hose ages, it can start to become loose and even corrode. This causes holes and may eventually form a leak.

It’s also possible for debris to clog the water pump. This also prevents the coolant from circulating properly.

When the radiator’s water pump experiences problems, the coolant is prevented from circulating throughout the entire system. If this continues, the engine will eventually overheat.

A Blown Head Gasket

It can be difficult to determine if the radiator’s head gasket is experiencing problems. It’s possible to have damage without you knowing about it.

In your car, the head gasket is responsible for managing a wide range of temperatures while undergoing both high and low pressures in the engine. It is situated between the head and the engine block.

When a head gasket is blown, it means that it has developed a leak. That means that part has already corroded or cracked. This makes it possible for gas, oil, and coolant to leak out of just one hole. This can lead to the imminent failure of your car’s engine.

Aside from engine failure, it can also allow coolant to leak outside the engine. Coolant levels will drop. This takes away the ability of your car to cool down.

Issues with the Expansion Tank

Your car always keeps coolant on reserve. This can be found inside the expansion tank. It’s usually a plastic container found beside the engine. To connect to the radiator, there is a rubber hose that feeds coolant to and from the radiator.

Just like other parts near the engine, the expansion tank is also exposed to extreme temperature changes. This causes its plastic to weaken as well as other parts attached to it.

When damaged, different parts of the tank can be affected. For example, its container can start to break and crack. Sometimes, its cap can also loosen and cause a leak. Problems can also arise from the hose connecting it to the radiator. The hose can deteriorate, resulting in a loose connection and a leak.

Key Takeaway

Now that you know the different reasons your radiator is leaking, you can be more aware of observing your car for these causes. Spotting leaks and problems with your car early makes it easier to repair and replace these parts.

Roberts is known to produce the best OEM auto parts, including radiators. All our radiators are guaranteed to be 100% leak-free after going through many quality inspections and tests. If you’re looking to purchase our plastic aluminum and brass copper radiators, you can get in touch with our team here!