Is coolant consumed in a car?

M

mikebai1990

New member
I've always thought that the cooling system is a closed system. So, as long as coolant isn't leaking, the coolant level should stay the same throughout its use. However, my dad says that coolant is used, especially in the winter, because the heating system consumes and uses coolant. I don't think that explanation is correct. Comments?
 
MCA said:
+3



However, coolant can leak into your engine oil - This can cause a lot of problems. The best way to be sure of this is to have an oil analysis done.
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it can leak alot of places and if his dad is loosing it in the winter I would

pressure test the heater core fist!(usually a large puddle on the passanger side

floor , but not all the time)
 
If you are losing coolant then Euston you have a problem. It may be a little problem like a slow leak in the radiator that evaporates and leaves no puddle on the floor or a small leak due to a weak pressure cap,



Or it could be a big problem like a head gaskette leak, radiator leak into the tranny fluid or heater core leak.



You may not notice a problem until it gets really bad.
 
If it is a minute amount over time, I woulnt worry about it. You can take a sample of your oil to be tested to see if there is any coolant in it. Only costs about 35 dollars.
 
mikebai1990- If your MPV has rear seat heat ducts, and *it* starts losing coolant, it's probably the hoses that carry the (hot) coolant to the rear of the vehicle; they're notorious for going bad when people don't clean the salt and [stuff] out really well.
 
There's really only two ways that you can loose coolant.



Hose or radiator leak



or....



Headgasket



You will know if it's either one. Watch your guage if he's loosing alot.
 
Use Original Stop Leak from Bar's Leaks on that radiator, it works unbelievably well on a small coolant leak. Make sure you flush the system well, then have the right coolant mix so your system doesn't get rust. I have vehicles that are over twenty years old and the system looks prestine. The key is not allowing the coolant to degrade as that exposes the radiator for possible rust corrosion.
 
justin30513 said:
There's really only two ways that you can loose coolant.



Hose or radiator leak



or....



Headgasket



You will know if it's either one. Watch your guage if he's loosing alot.
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There are a couple more than that. You can lose it through a bad radiator pressure cap or coolant overflow tube, or you can lose it through the heater core if it has a leak in it or its piping.
 
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