Q: Coolant level dropping rapidly

asked by on April 22, 2017

First, I noticed the coolant level dropping to none within 1 day. Car would not overheat though, I just had to keep refilling it. I was told that I needed to flush the radiator (maintenance) so I did, and now the coolant doesn't drop to zero but it is dropping again just not as quickly. There doesn't seem to be a leak.

My car has 200131 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

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

If the coolant level keeps dropping there is either an internal or external leak. Leaks are typically found by simple pressure testing of the cooling system. Engine coolant can leak externally through a hose, radiator, water pump, etc. or internally due to a leaking head gasket and sometimes a leaking intake manifold gasket depending on the engine design. To find the leak that exists in your case, and get the required repair estimated, please request an engine cooling system leak diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

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

My truck is starting to have a rough idol , I changed the spark plugs about 6 months ago.
The rough idle (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-idle-is-rough-inspection) is often times associated with what is called an idle air control module/valve (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/idle-control-valve-replacement) which regulates the air intake as it is mixed with fuel prior to being injected into the motor. When this is not...
Can a glow plug that's not walking cause a diesel knocking
Hi. It depends if the knock goes away after the engine warms up. If it does, then yes, this is contributing to the knock. What is happening is that the fuel and chamber is not hot enough for combustion and...
My car is making a crunching noise, even rolling in neutral. More so on uneven ground.
A hard grinding noise especially when braking is generally a sign there is a bad wheel bearing (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/wheel-bearings-replacement) or there may be metal on metal contact on the brake rotor from a completely worn brake pad (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brake-pads-replacement). If the grind...
I have a 2011 Ford F-150. I tried turning the truck on this morning and there was a knocking sound as soon as I try to turn it on.
If the warnings you saw were for oil pressure, you might have some engine damage. If the truck is running, you need to stop using it until you get it checked out. Driving with low oil pressure can do a...
2006 BMW 750LI no start code po335 I need pin point test and diagram please .thank you
To test the crankshaft position sensor (Sensor Circuit "A" in your case, if the code is P0335) the fault memory of the DME control unit is read and then the test schedules contained in the BMW diagnostic tool are followed....
Where is the transaxle cooler lines located?
External coolers plumbed to the radiator were used in the 1999 TL model but not in later models. Consequently, there is no external cooler to tap into. Draining the transmission fluid and changing the filter is more than adequate. It...
2016 Jeep renegade with engine surge & software update flash pcm&tcm to match software but is slight pull and jerking normal after
Hi Alex. Thanks for sending us the question tonight. It's actually a very good question. If the dealership has inspected the vehicle and determined that the symptoms you're experiencing are caused by a computer or software glitch, a reset or...

Related articles

What Does It Mean When My Car Is "Burning" Oil?
Burning oil is usually caused by leaking oil that burns up on hot engine or exhaust components. Fix leaking oil to prevent expensive car repairs.
2012 Kia Soul vs. 2012 Nissan Cube: Which One Should I Buy?
While technically these two vehicles fall into the “small wagon” classification, they look like nothing more than boxes on wheels. Some people are really into this design, while others are completely opposed to it. If you’re in the former camp,...
How to Replace a Coolant Tube
The bypass hose in the coolant system may have failed when the coolant level is low and there is a visible leak underneath the vehicle.