How to Find a Leak in a Cooling System

In most cases, finding a leak in the cooling system of a car can be done with a visual inspection of the various components, such as the radiator, radiator hoses and water pump. Brightly colored fluids such as coolant and anti-freeze can be easily spotted dripping or spraying from these locations. Cooling system leaks that are caused by a faulty head gasket can be more difficult to diagnose, however.

Instructions

1

Find a leak in your car's cooling system by conducting a visual inspection of the engine compartment. Start with the radiator and look for signs of fluid or rust along the bottom. Move onto the radiator hoses and the water pump, which is located behind the electrical fan, for signs of bubbling, spraying or dripping coolant or anti-freeze.

2

Flush the radiator in order to find leaks in the cooling system. Drain the radiator fluid through the plug at the bottom, and then attach a garden hose and run cold water into the radiator cap opening at the top. Look for water coming out of the radiator core, especially in sections where you see excessive rust or metal flakes.

3

Check the radiator hoses for signs of wear. Bumps, bulges, cracks, sogginess and brittleness are all signs that your radiator hoses are causing leaks and need to be replaced. In fact, radiator hoses are relatively inexpensive and easy to switch out, so it's a good idea to replace them automatically whenever you work on the cooling system of your car.

4

Inspect the water pump in your vehicle to find a leak in your cooling system. You will have to drain the radiator, and remove the fan assembly, fan belt and pulley in order to get access to the water pump. Once you remove the pump, you can check it for damage and leaks and replace it if necessary.

5

Look for foamy beige fluid collecting in your engine compartment, in the crankcase or inside the radiator. This fluid is formed when oil and engine coolant mix, and may indicate that the head gasket may need to be replaced. The head gasket forms a seal between the crankcase and the engine block, and can cause catastrophic damage to your engine if a leak develops.