What causes the car to become louder when a/c is on, coolant going into the motor, and trouble cranking the car again when it has been running a while prior, loss of coolant

Hi, this is Bo, an auto expert on RepairPal's Car Genius team! It sounds like you might be dealing with the dreaded blown head gasket or a cracked engine block. If the car becomes louder with the A/C on, it could be straining the engine more because it’s already struggling. The symptoms you describe—coolant leaking into the engine, difficulty starting after running, and loss of coolant—often point to a head gasket problem. Here’s why: when the head gasket fails, coolant can leak into the engine cylinders, leading to loud operation, overheating, and trouble restarting. The coolant in the oil can also damage the engine bearings over time, making things worse. Given that the engine is still getting water after your efforts, getting it checked out immediately is crucial. Driving with these symptoms can lead to significant engine damage. You might need a compression test or a leak-down test to confirm the head gasket issue and possibly repair or replace it. Don’t run the car too much until you’ve got it fixed to avoid more severe damage. If you have any other questions, please call us at 877-913-1554! We'll gladly find you a certified RepairPal shop in your area!