Coolant is an essential fluid that should be regularly checked as your vehicle tacks on miles. Periodically inspecting the coolant can find potential problems before they turn into severe damage. If you pop the hood and check the coolant, it should be pollutant-free and sweet-smelling. Healthy engine coolant is typically green and pink. Coolant in an unhealthy engine is milky-looking. Milky coolant can appear grey, dull, dark, or white. Coolant that is milky and dull in color can indicate a significant issue with the head gasket that needs immediate attention.
A vehicle’s head gasket is fitted between the engine block and cylinder head. It’s usually made of copper or steel material. The head gasket has numerous functions, but its primary job is to keep the coolant and motor oil separate from the combustion chamber. If this function fails, the coolant can become diluted with oil. Diluted coolant will not be able to adequately cool the engine, eventually leading to the engine overheating. In extreme conditions, contaminated coolant can cause excessive engine temperatures that result in a blown head gasket.
Signs to look out for:
• Engine overheating
• Jolting or vibrating engine
• Frequent engine stalls
• Coolant leaks
• Milky coolant or engine oil
• White smoke coming from the engine
Cooling System Maintenance in Solana Beach, CA
Don’t wait until you notice a milky coolant inside the cooling system reservoir. Milky coolant indicates a foreign liquid has seeped inside and contaminated the coolant. By the time the coolant turns a milky color, major damage may have already occurred. If you need a cooling system repair or maintenance, DRIVE AutoCare is here to help. We have expert ASE certified technicians, plus we were voted #1 Auto Repair for general maintenance services for all vehicle makes and models! Give us a call at 858-252-1755 for our location off of N. Cedros or 858-252-1185 for our site off of Hwy 101. Or get to the front of the line on our schedule by clicking here to schedule an appointment.