A friend in Yorkshire England emailed me recently asking if the type of coolant he uses in his car really matters. Specifically, he asked if he could use “any type of coolant” to top off his radiator.  He told me he was losing about a pint of coolant every 500 miles. He also said that he did not see any sign of an oil leak. He also said his car was due for a checkup in 6 months and that he was planning to wait for a mechanic’s advice until that time. Of course, I immediately replied that his car should not be losing coolant.

Here was my advice to him:

Interesting! Leaks of that size are typically caused by seeping gaskets. You don’t see a leak because it dries out on the hot engine. In a case like this we add dye and after a few 100 miles check with a black light. This is definitely not a do it yourself job and better left to a certified car mechanic! This process will help properly diagnose the issue so we can see if further monitoring or immediate repairs are required. I also told him not to wait 6 months because waiting too long could lead to an expensive repair.

If the coolant leakage issue is minor, there are alternatives to major repair work. BG products offer an excellent quality anti-freeze conditioner. It enhances the additive package that’s in AF and can stop leaks.

However, don’t use any other product marketed as a “stop leak.” These products can block the heater core and that will cost a small fortune to repair.

I haven’t heard back from my friend. I hope he isn’t ignoring my advice because he might have an unpleasant surprise on the highway when the problem suddenly becomes worse.

When it comes to coolant leaks, proper preventative diagnosis is the best approach. It not only saves money but can improve the safety and reliability of your car.