What is the difference between engine coolant and radiator coolant? Will a general coolant work in both areas?

Question

My car overheated the other day and I checked the radiator coolant, which was empty. I refilled it but it overheated on me today. Does it need engine coolant as well? And if so would that be the same as radiator coolant? Or any other ideas what might be going on? (I am on cool climates and do not drive far between work and home)

Answer 1

they are the same thing different name. Depending on the mileage of the car you could have one of three problems. 1. a leak 2. a bad thermostat or 3. a bad water pump. the cheapest to fix is the thermostat. how many miles on the car?

Answer 2

Both are the same, but if your car has the orange color coolant, make sure you use it or one of the new coolants that is for all cars. If you mix the orange and the old time green you get slime. You either have a leak either in the radiator or a hose or if you have one of those plastic overflow jugs with the screw on top, you might need a new top cause you can be loosing it there if the rubber gasket is worn. Also water pump being bad can cause fluid loss. When you put coolant in, park somewhere you can see where it leaks out so you can tell mechanic about where he needs to look.

Answer 3

Radiator Coolant

Answer 4

They are the same. The anti-freeze will raise the boiling point of the coolant and will help carry away the heat. Along with the pressurized radiator cap.

The important thing to do, is to find out why the car is overheating. Is it a leaking radiator, or hose? Is it a stuck thermostat. Is it a problem with gaskets on the engine?

With winter fast approaching, correct the problem now and get the car ready for winter with the 50/50 solution of water and anti-freeze.

good luck.

Answer 5

Bad news , if the coolant reservoir is emptying too often , then it means coolants leaking,and the over heated engine confirms that the leak is internal , look for these signs
1) foamy choclate shake colored oil on the oil dipstick
2) white smoke from the exhaust at the engine start
3) oil in coolant reservoir .

I bet its the blown head gasket , DO NOT DRIVE YOUR CAR , take it to the auto repair at once , before you destroy your engine completely , you are looking for @ 500-600$ worth of expenses.

sorry but thats the truth

Answer 6

Possibilities:
► Rad plugged - inside with corrosion or outside with bugs
► Water pump faulty
► Belt tension
► Thermostat
► Head gasket

Engine coolant & rad coolant are the same thing.
50/50 mix antifreeze/water.

→ █ ←

Answer 7

All one in the same, you might have a clogged radiator or a bad thermostat or possibly an air bleed screw near the thermostat. If so it might have an air bubble causing false readings. Next time it overheats check to see it the radiator is also hot, if not the coolant is not circulating.

Answer 8

Engine and Radiator coolant are the same. I would say you have a leak

Answer 9

They are one in the same. General coolant is fine. comes pre-mixed or concentrated in which case you add 1 gal water to 1 gal coolant. check your thermostat and water pump are working. let her run for a while and get hot and open the hood. look for any steam or leaks. fix any leaks or broken thermostat or water pump.

Answer 10

Anti-freeze just does what it says in the tin, it protects the system from freezing. It normally comes "neat" and needs to be diluted in the right proportions according to what temperatures you expect. You've bought ready-mixed coolant which usually does not only that but also helps protect the system from corrosion - very important. It may not protect from freezing down to as low a temperature as specific anti-freeze could, but is more than adequate for UK temperatures. Being ready-mixed it doesn't need diluting.