Radiator losing water: causes and how to fix it

The water or the engine coolant is very important for keeping the engine at the right temperature. For this reason, it is essential that it stays at the proper levels to prevent engine overheating. However, there may be a moment when a small water leak can be detected, which may indicate a fault in the cooling circuit. This may be something minor, but it can lead to a more serious failure that causes a major engine fault.

There are four main reasons why a puddle of water may appear under the car. Some may be caused by a fault in that cooling circuit, but in other cases it may be due to much less serious reasons that can be resolved without major problems or, directly, not be a fault at all. Let us look at those cases.

Air conditioning condensation

Sometimes we may notice a puddle of water under the car and it may not be a fault. Using the air conditioning can cause water vapour to condense and drip. In this case there is no need to worry about a fault, as it is perfectly normal. How can you tell if this is the case? If the car’s air conditioning has been used and the outside temperature is equal to or above 25 degrees Celsius, this effect usually occurs.

Broken headlight washer circuit

Some car models have a headlight washer system with washer fluid. This system can easily be damaged by knocks to the front bumper. A small impact can damage the circuit and cause the washer fluid to drip onto the ground, creating that stain under the front bumper.

This fault is not serious and can be fixed simply and quickly, but even so, it should be repaired to prevent it from getting worse and causing more serious problems.

Leak in the water pump

This case is already quite a serious problem, with a fault that can lead to serious issues. The water pump is responsible for circulating the coolant throughout the entire circuit and helps keep the temperature under control. This component is made up of other physical parts that are in motion and that can wear out or be damaged by an impact. When this happens, it may stop working properly and even cause a leak of water or coolant.

In this case, you must go to the workshop immediately. A small leak may allow you to drive the car to the workshop while it is running, but it is better not to take the risk and call a tow truck to prevent the engine from overheating and causing a more serious fault.

This problem is identified by engine overheating, as well as noises produced by the water pump, which, when there is no coolant, make strange noises that can be easily heard and detected.

Water loss from the radiator

The radiator is where heat exchange takes place and where hot water loses part of its highest temperature before returning to the circuit. It is also a place where water loss commonly occurs, both in the radiator itself and in the hoses that carry water in and out of it. It should be checked at every maintenance service, and if a leak is detected it must be repaired immediately.

The engine must not be started if a water leak is detected, as a fairly serious fault may occur. In this case, you should call a tow truck and take the car to a workshop.

These are the four main reasons why you may find a puddle of water under the car. There is no need to worry at first if the air conditioning has been used, but if a rise in engine temperature or any strange noise is detected, you should take the car to the workshop to rule out serious faults and, if there are any, fix them immediately.