The coolant usually leaks overnight after the engine is cut off, and is no longer running under pressure. During this time, the coolant will have a chance to leak out freely, and pool in different locations around the engine.
Also, whenever a vehicle owner sees these leaks, they will need to identify the source of the problem before the engine overheats and severe damage is done.
Contents
3 common causes of overnight coolant leaks
Leaky Radiator
If there is a small hole or crack in one of the radiator’s fins, only small amounts of coolant will escape whenever the engine is in operation. These small amounts may not be easy to see.
On the other hand, whenever the driver turns the engine off and allows the vehicle to sit overnight, the driver will most likely see a large puddle of coolant under the radiator that’s easy for anyone to notice.
Leaky Heater Core
If you see a leak that forms overnight (after the engine has been turned off), the problem may be a result of a leaky heater core. To verify the actual cause, there are some signs and symptoms that can help to validate your suspicions.
For instance, if the overnight leak is coming from a bad or faulty heater core, here are some of the signs that you may notice right away.
- Sweet smells in the car
- damp carpet behind the dashboard (coolant dripping)
- Foggy Windows
- Heating system malfunctions
Loose Coolant Hose Clamp
If the leaks are only present when the engine is off, this may also suggest that there is a problem where the hose is clamped onto the engine.
Because coolant hoses usually loosen over time, it can easily cause leaks in the system that need to be repaired.
How to fix these issues?
Because there is more than one cause of these overnight coolant leaks, the exact problem will need to be identified before someone can fix the problem. For instance, here are 3 possible solutions to this problem.
For a Leaky Radiator
The fix for a leaky radiator usually varies based on the severity of the leak in the radiator. For instance, if the radiator cannot be repaired properly, it will mostly require a new radiator installation.
For a Leaky Heater Core
To fix a leaky heater core, a mechanic may need to recommend several different options. For instance, the mechanic may recommend one of the following:
- Fix the old heater core by boiling the unit to clear the blockages
- Remove and reinstall a new unit
For a Loose Coolant Hose Clamp
Repairing a loose hose clamp is relatively simple to do. However, to prevent any unnecessary damage to the engine and the radiator, the driver needs to know what tools (i.e. screwdriver, gloves, new hose clamps, wrenches, pliers, and coolant) are required to fix the loose hose clamp without causing additional unnecessary damages.
Does a coolant leak depend on whether a car sits for a longer or shorter period?
Yes, the severity of the coolant leak does depend on whether a car sits for a longer or shorter period. For instance, you may not notice a small leak coming from the radiator when the car is only parked for short periods.
However, if the car sits longer after being turned off (i.e. overnight), you can easily see a large puddle of coolant under your car.
Should I worry about a small coolant leak?
Even though a small coolant leak may not appear to be a huge problem, every driver should always take a leak in the coolant system very seriously.
Since any size coolant leak can lead to overheating engines, irreparable damage can be done within a short period. This is primarily because the coolant in the radiator keeps the temperature in check at all times.
Conclusion
Why does the coolant leak overnight? The answer to this question is not always simple. Therefore, everyone must understand how coolant leaks in a vehicle work
Specifically, those leaks are usually noticed only after the car sits overnight and are caused by different mechanical failures.
Three of the most common include a leaky radiator, a bad heater core, and a loose coolant clamp. Also, even though the fixes may vary, the repairs must be performed without delay to eliminate the possibility of irreparable damage to the engine.
