Coolant Leak Repair

Coolant, also known as antifreeze, is the most integral part of the engine cooling system. The engine would overheat or freeze without it and more than likely break. Coolant can last for up to three years or longer, depending on the kind of coolant you purchased: Inorganic Acid Technology (IAT), Organic Acid Technology (OAT) or Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT). Antifreeze is generally a mixture of ethylene glycol and water, or sometimes propelene glycol and water. Because of the chemical mixture, the liquid coolant is able to absorb the heat from the engine as it passes through the water jackets within the engine cooling block, and either travels directly back to the water pump, to the radiator or to the heater core, which transfers the heat of the coolant to the interior of your vehicle. And, because of the chemical mixture, it won’t freeze and expand in the winter, causing your engine to break under very low temperatures.  It is crucial to change your antifreeze and check its consistency. Unchecked antifreeze can cause a lot of damage to your vehicle’s engine. Here are a few ways you can maintain your engine cooling system and know when to replace your coolant.