Coolant leak - green, orange, or pink puddle

Symptoms

• Green, orange, pink, or blue puddle under the front-center of the car
• Sweet, slightly syrupy smell near the puddle or under the hood
• Coolant level in the overflow tank reads low
• Temperature gauge may run higher than normal or fluctuate

Likely causes

• CommonLeaking radiatorCorrosion or a small crack in the radiator itself, often near seams or plastic end tanks, is a very common coolant leak source.
• CommonLeaking hose or hose clampRubber coolant hoses degrade over time and can crack or loosen at the clamp.
• CommonLeaking water pumpThe water pump has a small weep hole that drips when its internal seal starts to fail.
• PossibleLeaking heater coreUsually causes a sweet smell inside the car more than an obvious puddle underneath, but can contribute to coolant loss.
• Less commonBlown head gasketA more serious cause that may show white exhaust smoke and overheating along with coolant loss.

What to do

1. Check the coolant overflow tank level when the engine is cold and top off with the correct coolant type if low.
2. With the engine cold, visually inspect the radiator, hoses, and their clamps for visible cracks, wetness, or dried coolant residue (often a chalky or crusty film).
3. Look at the water pump area (front of the engine, near the lower radiator hose) for a slow drip, sometimes visible as a stained trail.
4. Never open the radiator or coolant reservoir cap when the engine is warm or hot.
5. Have a pressure test done at a shop if you can't find the exact leak point, since this pressurizes the cooling system to reveal even small leaks.
6. Address the leak (hose, radiator, water pump, or heater core) as soon as practical, since ongoing coolant loss risks overheating.

Tools and parts

• Flashlight
• Coolant funnel

When to call a pro

See a mechanic if you can't find the leak yourself, if the temperature gauge runs high, or if you notice white exhaust smoke along with coolant loss, which could indicate a head gasket issue.

Safety