Anti-freeze leaking out of my car, why?

Question

I just purchased a 191 Chevy Beretta from a private owner about a month ago, and there were no p[roblems with it until the third week I had the car, I started the car up and it said low coolant, and I had just recently put coolant in the car three days before. So i filled the car back up with coolant, and three days later it said low coolant again, I checked under the hood and all the anti-freeze coolant had leaked out on the ground, and it's a lot of snow here in Chicago, so I couldnt look under the car to see exactly where it was leaking from, but it doesn't like while the car is hot, only when the car is cool or parked overnight. The anti-freeze stays usually about 3 to 4 days then my car says low coolant because all the coolant would leak out by day three, so I was wondering if anyone may know whats causing the anti-freeze to leak out on the ground from the car? and whatever it may be, what is the price to get it replaced or fixed?

Answer 1

Lets work backwards to find your questions answer.

First, IF I or ANYONE else could tell you where the leak is--could YOU then fix it yourself?

Do you have good tools, experience, insurance, parts?

By the pure nature of your question, I already KNOW you probably have little or no experience troubleshooting engine leaks or you would not be here asking the question.

Accordingly, if you are NOT the one who will be doing the actual work once someone tells you EXACTLY what is wrong, then whatever ANYONE tells you, including me, without checking out the engine is just pure guess work and DOES NOT MATTER ANYWAY! What YOU need is a good mechanic!

Plan on spending several hundred $$ minimum.

My suggestion is to take your car to a GOOD RELIABLE auto repair shop and let a real pro tell you how much $$ to plan for.

I suggest getting several quotes before you select the person to repair it.
Good Luck Bucko----

Answer 2

I would first check the easy things first before you spent any money. Make sure all the hoses leading to the radiator are tightly connected. If that doesnt fix it i would look for leaks in the water pump gaskets, maybe a head gasket, or a leaking radiator. If the car blows white smoke out the exhaust it is usually a head gasket but if its not blowing white smoke and overheating you should be alright. A radiator can be anywere from 75 to 150$ at a junkyard if you want to replace it yourself. Hoses can be around 10-20 $. Water pumps can be around 100. Leaking thermostates can be about 10. Hope that helps...

Answer 3

There are only a few for for coolant leaking.

Check the hoses and clamps first (most common cause is a split hose or loose clamp; don't forget to look at the heater hose). (Probably cost a few dollars - the clamps are only about five to ten dollars and the hoses probably cost $ 20 - $ 30, depending upon which hose has gone south; this is a "do-it-yourself project").

Next have the radiator pressure checked (need a mechanic to do it properly). (This will be the most expensive - could cost around $ 300 - $ 400, depending upon whether a rebuilt radiator is used, plus installation).

If all the previous check out OK, then have the water pump checked (could be a crack in the housing or a bad gasket; whichever, it's going to cost you a few dollars - like at least
$ 250 give or take a few dollars, depending on labour cost in your area).

Answer 4

There are a number of possible causes. Fortunately, the most likely is also the cheapest to fix: a bad coolant hose. Another possibility is a leaking radiator; if that is the problem, you will probably have to replace the radiator. Only way to tell for sure is to get the car indoors and look for drips.

Answer 5

> do the general visual check area such as clamps, hose (not soft by squeezing), water pump, cylinder head, heater core in side the car, radiator core..is it soft, passing the finger over the radiator does the core surface flake off (time to change the core or the whole radiator)
> if all lolooks ok...start the engine and check the exhaust for white smoke with the smell of antifreeze...if it smells your engine head gasket is leaking...bad news. Cylinder head gasket has to be changed
> please do not put any stop the leak substance in the radiator..it will block the passage
> a pressure check could reveal the leak..try a new radtior cap if was not changed recently

Answer 6

It could be coming from anywhere in the cooling system. Are you checking the fluid level in the radiator or in the reservior? I have seen the reservior leak setting off the warning light with plenty of fluid to keep the radiator full.

If it is leaking from the heater core you would be able to smell it inside the car.

Just about anywhere it could leak, it would leak when hot because heat pressurizes the system. I would really check the coolant reservior it just sounds like the likely culprit to me....

Answer 7

Could be leak in radiator, hoses, or leaking around water pump, cause the pump is going out and bearins are bad. Yeah what the girl said above me only it shouldn't be that expensive water pump should run bout 35-100 dollars hoses bout 20 and radiators would be the most expensive running between 120 and 300.

Answer 8

The cause is a hole. Either in a hose, the radiator, or the engine freeze plug. If you are REAL lucky, a new radiator cap will cure it. Try that first. It's cheap. Change when the engine is cooled off.

P.S. forgot to mention the water pump, which can start leaking prior to failing completely.

Answer 9

Could be as simple as a leaky or cracked hose. When the temp drops metal and other materials contract. This may cause the fluid to leak. You wont know for sure untill you are able to get under there and find the source of the leak.

Answer 10

that happened to me 3 months ago.. your water pump is going out.. you can't have any foreknowledge it just happens. Get over to Meinchke or a trusted mechanic make an appointment and get it replaced. If you run that car too far with no coolant you will have no car at all!! It cost me like 100-150.. if its a hose it will be less but it get it done today!