Tips to Identify Coolant Leaks in Your Nissan

Maintaining your Nissan through regular care and inspection is essential in order to keep your vehicle running in superior condition. With a proper maintenance schedule, you can continue the longevity of your Nissan while also improving your protection against common brand-associated problems such as radiator coolant leaks.

This article will cover the most common indications of a coolant leak, and the best courses of action to take in the event of one.

Look for Common Indicators

In the interest of preventing damage to your Nissan as a result of a coolant leak, it is vitally important that you frequently observe how your Nissan is running. Any indications of a coolant leak should be dealt with immediately, because if left unchecked, a seemingly harmless leak can quickly develop into critical damage and unnecessary costly repairs.

Radiator coolant leaks can irreversibly damage both your engine and your transmission, so catching it early can help greatly reduce your cost of repairs. The following are some of the most common indicators that will alert you to a coolant leak:

Puddles Under the Hood

Any strange liquids leaking onto the ground from under the hood of your Nissan should be promptly investigated. If the liquid in question is coolant, it will most likely be yellow, green, or sometimes pink in color, slimy to the touch, and give off a faintly sweet smell.

After determining a coolant leak, use a flashlight to check under the hood for signs of wetness or apparent leaks. Some key areas to focus your search on are the seams along the top and bottom of the radiator, the hoses that carry coolant throughout the engine, and the head gaskets, as these are common places where leaks occur.

Dashboard Warning Lights

If your Nissan is leaking coolant, eventually its reservoir will begin to run low. While it’s normal for your vehicle’s coolant levels to slowly diminish over time, a sudden decrease is often evidence of a leak. Typically, the first dashboard indication of this occurring will be when the low coolant light comes on.

Without enough coolant, your Nissan’s engine is at risk of overheating, which can cause expensive and sometimes irreversible damage. It is vitally important that you promptly take your Nissan to be inspected by a mechanic in the event of either the low coolant indicator light or high engine temperatures.

Stains on the Radiator

Frequently, leaks will cause coolant to splash onto the radiator while the vehicle is running. Discolored stains can then appear as a result of the coolant quickly evaporating off of the hot radiator. Over time, these spots eventually will turn into rust and can further damage the radiator.

Checking under the hood for discoloration and/or rust should be a standard part of your regular vehicle maintenance. You should take your vehicle to a mechanic if you ever see any of these tell-tale stains on your radiator.

Pink “Milkshake”

This problem is somewhat unique to Nissan. Several models have seen a particular issue with leaks causing the coolant to mix with transmission fluid. This toxic concoction results in a frothy, pink liquid that is severely damaging to your engine. It has been coined the “strawberry milkshake of death.”

This coolant leak poses two distinct threats to your Nissan. Typically, if a leak has occurred in a way that would cause these chemicals to mix, the radiator is no longer able to cool your vehicle’s transmission. This can lead to damage related to overheating.

Additionally, the mixture of coolant and transmission fluid chemicals can prove devastatingly corrosive to many different vital components of your vehicle’s transmission. This can lead to total engine failure and a need for rebuild.

How to Respond to the Coolant Leak

Once you have confirmed the existence of a leak, it is important to act quickly if you wish to contain the problem and prevent any further harm from coming to your Nissan. Occasionally, a coolant leak near a clamp can be easily fixed by gently tightening the clamp with a screwdriver. However, due to the expensive nature of damages that often occur as a result of a coolant leak, it is highly recommended that you consult with a trained Nissan mechanic whenever a leak is discovered. More often than not, leaking coolant is too complicated of an issue to be safely dealt with in any sort of DIY manner.

Euro Plus Automotive is Here to Help

While coolant leaks can occur in any vehicle, they are enough of an issue in Nissans that frequent monitoring and inspecting of your vehicle’s radiator and related equipment is crucial.

Our ASE-certified technicians at Euro Plus Automotive are equipped with the latest technology available to provide the absolute best service to you and your Nissan. We are the go-to shop for Japanese imports in the area, and we serve clients from all throughout Canoga Park, Woodland Hills, the San Fernando Valley, and Los Angeles County, CA.

At Euro Plus Automotive, we strongly believe in preventative care for your Nissan. Therefore, it is through the combination of regular check ups and scheduled maintenance that we have been able to provide the most cost-effective, quality automotive service in the area for the last 30 years.

If your Nissan is in need of repair or you want to learn more about our technicians’ qualifications for working on your Nissan, please reach out to us at your earliest convenience. We look forward to providing you with unprecedented service and value.