Q: Coolant leaks

asked by on May 23, 2016

I have a leak that's only happening when the car is hot and I'm having a Lot of coolant dropping, which makes it almost impossible to drive. I do some car repairs myself. Could you help me know what to do?

Coolant is leaking Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

You may be able to spot the leak by performing a cooling system pressure test. This test is just as it sounds; a special tool is used to apply pressure to the cooling system, making leaks visible. Sometimes however, leaks that are temperature dependent can only be found through visual inspection. Having a professional diagnose and repair your coolant leak can save you both time and money. The team at YourMechanic is an excellent option since we make house calls.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do I view the average speed?
The average speed feature shows you how fast you have been driving, on average, since the last trip resets. When Trip A and Trip B are reset, the average speed is reset as well. To view the average speed, press...
How do I clear the HomeLink programs?
HomeLink buttons cannot be individually cleared, but they can all be cleared simultaneously. To do so, press and hold the two outside HomeLink buttons on the rear view mirror. After about 20 seconds, an indicator will begin to flash, confirming...
Coolant leak in a 2004 Volkswagen Passat
Can you see where the coolant is leaking? How often are you having to add antifreeze, always remember when you're having to add coolant to a system, if you don't add at least a mixture of coolant you will dilute...
I think my alternator is bad
Hello. Coincidentally, I also have a 2003 Honda Odyssey. From my own experience and as a certified auto technician, I can say that when all of these lights are on, it does indeed indicate an issue with the alternator. A...
How do you tell how long an engine is going to last / how healthy it is without disassembling it?
While there is really no way to tell how long any engine will last, a compression test is a good way to determine the overall health of an engine. If the compression test reveals that compression on all cylinders is...
Swapped carburetor and the engine stalls out.
Hi there. When you swap out carburetors on engines, you would have to set up the carburetor and adjust the float bowl along with setting the idle. With a Rodchester Quadra-jet, you would need to have the engine idle at...
New battery and recently got a alternator couple months ago car still dies
The alternator is not recharging the battery after you start the vehicle. Since you replaced it recently I would recommend having it checked to see if it has stopped charging or you have a wiring problem from the alternator to...
Can my car drive 350 miles with this issue?
There are several possibilities for the issues you've described, but I would look more towards a belt being the issue (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/serpentine-drive-belt-replacement). It could be the belt, belt tensioner, air conditioning compressor, the alternator, or one of the other belt driven...
Car goes in all gears but will only move in reverse
This is often a sign of low transmission fluid (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/transmission-fluid-service) or a faulty transmission control solenoid. As you know, automatic transmissions use pressurized hydraulic fluid to change gears. Every time a gear change is required, the car's computer activates a...

Related articles

Is it Safe to Drive With a Leaking Gas Tank?
A leaking gas tank can be caused by a number of different things, such as rocks or sharp objects your car picks up...
How Long Does a Coolant Reservoir Last?
The coolant reservoir is a tank located in your vehicle that holds the overflowing coolant that comes from your cooling system. The reservoir...
How to Find the Source of a Coolant Leak Faster and More Accurately
Keeping a good coolant level in your car is necessary to avoid overheating. If you think there is a leak, find where it's coming from to fix it.