Q: Car is losing coolant
My car is losing coolant somewhere. I keep topping it off so that my car doesn't overheat, and that worked for a while. Now, my car is producing a big cloud of white smoke that disappears after 10 to 15 minutes of driving. Also, the oil is not milky.
Recommended Services
| Coolant is leaking Inspection | $94.99 - $114.99 | Get a Quote |
Hi, it is possible for leaks to occur around the cylinders so that coolant gets into the combustion chamber and burns with the fuel and air. Liquid doesn’t compress at all, so if too much gets into the cylinders, you can cause damage to the internal components. Driving the car with a coolant leak greatly increases the risk of overheating which causes a lot of stress to the engine. A certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, would be able to help you locate the coolant leak and diagnose this issue further.
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
What others are asking
What happens if the battery in my electronic key gets low?
While your electronic key is definitely convenient, it is a battery-powered device. That means the battery will eventually run low and then die. You’ll need to replace it at that point, but how do you tell that the battery is...
What does the hill descent indicator mean?
The hill descent indicator is located on your instrument panel. This light illuminates when the hill descent feature is turned on.
Fuel gauge acting erratically
It's possible that you have a problem with your fuel gauge. The only way to tell is to pull the fuel pump out and check resistance on the sending unit. I would suggest having a certified technician come out and...
Window not working
Hello! That is a problem that several owners of the 350Z have faced. I personally have repaired three 350Z windows, and all three had a malfunction of the driver's side window; in each case, the cause was the driver's side...
Fast idle - 1983 Mercedes Benz 380SL
Hello. There could be a problem with the throttle cable sticking, causing the high idle. There also could be a problem with the throttle position sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/throttle-position-sensor-replacement) malfunctioning, causing a high idle. Sometimes a dirty throttle body (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/clean-throttle-body) can cause...
My car randomly stalls
This may be related to a dirty or failing idle air control valve. The idle air control valve reads the air intake as it is mixed with fuel prior to being injected into the engine at low speeds and at...
Hesitation and smoke
Hello, thank you for writing in. While it is typical for the engine to give off some white smoke upon starting (as it burns condensation that builds while off at night), what you describe sounds more like a coolant leak....
Overheating
Hi there. I would highly recommend completing a full coolant system flush first; as it's possible that you might have a few air bubbles stuck inside the cooling lines that can cause the type of overheating issue you're describing. It's...
Can an overheated engine cause my car to not drive ?
A blown head gasket may cause a number of different symptoms. A head gasket that fails between cylinders will generally cause a misfire and potentially compression leaks from one cylinder into another. Low compression will eventually result in a rough...
Related articles
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe
The The Chevy Tahoe has always been one of the most popular SUVs on the market, and this trend continued in 2012. As always, the vehicle proved to be reliable and powerful, with plenty of space and features that people...
2012 Chevrolet Malibu vs. 2012 Ford Fusion: Which One Should I Buy?
When you want a midsize sedan, you’re looking for something that will offer you the best fuel economy for the size as well as additional safety features that will keep your family safe while you’re driving across town or around...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re a Wedding Planner
As As a wedding planner, the demands placed on your time are going to be significant, even if you’re only dealing with one or two couples. You need to be a master juggler when it comes to your time and...
Browse other content
Services
Maintenance
Estimates