is a coolant leak bad?
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But your car can develop a coolant leak. These leaks can be minor or major. If your car is losing coolant, your engine can overheat, resulting in serious engine damage, followed by very expensive repairs. If the damage is bad enough, your engine could be completely destroyed.
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Even just a few moments of driving a car without coolant, can damage your engine. This will depend on the amount of coolant you have in your car, if you can safely get from one point to another safely in your car. But if your car has a leak and you really do not know how big the leak is, it's dangerous.
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An AC system is a closed system, and if there are no problems, coolant is not consumed by the vehicle, nor does it escape. Unless your auto's AC is in need of repair, there is no need to shut off the system. When there is not enough refrigerant in the AC, serious compressor damage may occur.
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Depending on the severity of the leak, the area can be sealed or the entire radiator may need to be replaced. Do not drive far with a radiator leak as it can cause further damage to your engine, which can mean a more extensive repair.
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After running your air conditioning for a while, you will see water drain out from the bottom of your car. This is perfectly normal and a good sign. However, if you don't see that water draining - and instead are greeted by water stains inside your vehicle - then you could have a problem.
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Drive To A Service Station. Adding coolant does nothing to address the problem that caused your engine to overheat in the first place, but it often allows you to drive safely to the nearest repair station. “A professional will need to inspect your car's cooling system,” says Reina.
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There is probably a leak in the ATF oil cooler inside the radiator that is allowing coolant to mix with the ATF. ... If the fluid is full of bubbles or is foamy, the transmission is probably overfilled with ATF. Other causes include using the wrong type of ATF or a plugged transmission vent.
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['Coolant leak at the front-center of your car. ... ', 'Water pump pulley is loose and making whining sounds. ... ', 'Engine is overheating. ... ', 'Steam coming from your radiator.']
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If it is failed in a closed position then you cannot really drive it with the thermostat broken, as the engine would overheat. ... If the thermostat is stuck open then it is not preventing the flow of water and the coolant is not going to warm up as fast.
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Refrigerant can become dangerous if the leaking liquid evaporates and becomes a gas. If you believe your AC unit is leaking refrigerant, be sure to contact your AC company immediately. If your air conditioner leaks water, you are safe – but you should still call for AC repair.
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Along with being dangerous to you and your passengers, it can also affect the performance of your car. If the exhaust is leaking, that also means the engine's performance is messed up. It can negatively impact the power and even lower your fuel economy. It's amazing how a leak could cause all that, but it can.
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Do not drive with leaking coolant. Overheating engine: Since the radiator cools the engine, a cracked radiator may not cool the engine like it is supposed to. This can cause the engine heat to rise, and eventually the vehicle will overheat. ... You should have your coolant system checked before you continue to drive.
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Your AC unit can also leak refrigerant, the liquid used to cool your home's air, but it's not as common. Refrigerant can become dangerous if the leaking liquid evaporates and becomes a gas. ... If your air conditioner leaks water, you are safe – but you should still call for AC repair.
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Leaking fuel injectors are very dangerous in these systems and should be taken care of immediately. Do not drive your vehicle if you have a direct fuel injection system and suspect it of leaking at the O-ring or the injector body.
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Turn on your flashlight, and point it downwards into the radiator. Look for an uneven flow of coolant. If the radiator is blocked, the coolant will not flow evenly. Another quick way to check for a clogged radiator is to ask someone to rev the engine while you are squeezing the radiator hose.
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['External leaks of coolant from under the exhaust gasket.', 'Overheating under the hood.', 'Smoke blowing from the exhaust with a white-ish tint.', 'Depleted coolant levels with no trace of leakage.', 'Bubble formations in the radiator and overflow compartment.']
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Leaks. You might notice coolant leaking under the vehicle. It can be a red, yellow, or green fluid. When the radiator is leaking, coolant levels become too low, and when there isn't enough coolant to reduce the heat, the engine might become too hot.