Why Is My Car Leaking Antifreeze?
by MJ KnoblockCars are not supposed to leak antifreeze, also known as engine coolant. The fluid runs from different parts of the engine to others and is always contained. If you see this greenish fluid on the ground or other engine parts, something is broken or split and must be repaired or replaced.
Location
By looking underneath the car, you can see the fluid and pinpoint the origin, the reason why it's leaking.
Containment
The radiator holds and circulates antifreeze. A hole or crack in this causes a leak or drip.
Effects
Hoses connected to the radiator can burst or crack due to wear, dry rot or puncture, causing visible leaks.
Considerations
The head gasket is the seal between the cylinder head and engine block. If the oil dipstick is milky, there is probably antifreeze in the oil from a blown head gasket.
Warning
A bad freeze plug in the engine block may crack and cause a leak visible pool of engine coolant on the ground.
Alternatives
Three other sources include the thermostat, heater core and water pump, which can wear out and leak.
References
Writer Bio
A former community newspaper reporter, columnist and photojournalist in Virginia, MJ Knoblock holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has been writing for more than 20 years.
