Coolant Leak Diagnosis
How are coolant leaks diagnosed?
The first thing mechanics check when dealing with coolant leaks is the radiator cap. This part keeps the cooling system properly pressurized, so when it fails, problems ensue.
After the radiator cap, the vehicle will be inspected for obvious leaks, damage to cooling system components, and contamination in the coolant reservoir. If contamination from combustion exists in the cooling system, the engine cylinder block, cylinder head and head gasket are suspected.
If no leak is noticed, and there's no obvious sign of damage, the technician will apply a pressure tester and UV dye to the cooling system, causing the leak to become visible with a UV flashlight.
How is a coolant leak fixed?
Repairing a coolant leak typically requires draining the engine coolant from the entire system, removing the faulty part, and either cleaning or replacing that component before reinstallation.
Internal leaks tend to mean expensive repairs — a new head gasket or a new or refurbished engine being the most likely. Most often, though, repairing a leak involves a simple hose replacement and coolant flush.
