Posted on 1/30/2026
A small coolant leak is one of those problems that can trick you into waiting. The car still starts, the temperature gauge seems steady, and the puddle under the front end looks more like a nuisance than a threat. Then one day, the heater stops working the way it should, the warning light flashes, or the temperature needle climbs faster than you thought possible. If you have been topping off coolant here and there, it is worth knowing what that slow leak can quietly set up behind the scenes. How A Small Coolant Leak Turns Into A Big Problem Your cooling system is designed to stay full and sealed, so it can move heat away from the engine without boiling. When coolant leaks out, the system can lose pressure, and pressure matters because it raises the boiling point and helps coolant circulate properly. Less pressure and less coolant together make it easier for hot spots to develop. Another issue is air getting pulled in as coolant drops. Air pockets can reduce circula ... read more