Why there is no coolant in the radiator & the reservoir tank is full?
Please keep in mind that this article is about liquid cooling systems only.
The liquid cooling system in a vehicle is made up of several components. The radiator is mostly made of aluminium, as are the hoses, a water pump or coolant pump, a radiator cooling fan, a heater core, a bypass system, head gaskets, and a few other components.
The liquid cooling systems transport the coolant through a passage in the engine blocks and heads. The coolant absorbs heat as it circulates through the engine. A rubber hose transports the heated coolant to the radiator. The heated coolant flows through the radiator's thin tubes and is cooled by air flowing into the engine compartment from the car's grill. The liquid is instantly cooled. It returns to the engine to cool it down.
The engine cooling system is vital to the engine's efficient operation in all vehicles. Vehicles can be either liquid-cooled or air-cooled, but air-cooling systems are uncommon.
As a result, we will concentrate on the symptoms of no coolant in the radiator despite a full reservoir tank, the causes of no coolant in the radiator despite a full reservoir tank, and how to resolve this issue either yourself or with professional assistance during a car service in Reading.
The radiator shows no signs of coolant, but the reservoir is full
When there is no coolant in your vehicle's radiator, you will notice the following 12 symptoms, regardless of whether your reservoir tank is full:
1. The engine will overheat
This is a common indication that something is wrong with the cooling system. It could be the result of a faulty radiator, a faulty thermostat, or other related problems. This problem can severely limit the vehicle's functionality due to the engine's poor performance. Overheating the engine will produce smoke and may cause the engine to fail suddenly.
2. The heater may be broken
If your car's heater does not work, it is a sign that there is insufficient coolant in the radiator. The hot fluid that circulates through the core powers the heater. As the hot fluid circulates, it generates hot air, which is blown into the vehicle.
3. Coolant leakage
Coolant leaking from under your car is another sign that there is no coolant in the radiator. It could be the radiator or the hoses. When the radiator is punctured or completely damaged, the coolant level drops, causing the engine to overheat due to a lack of coolant to absorb the temperature.
4. Coolant discoloration
This can occur when there is a lack of coolant in the radiator, causing the coolant to change colour. The majority of vehicle coolant is green, yellow, or pink. When contaminated, this colour can change to a thick brown-like hue. This can obstruct the flow and clog the radiator.
5. The engine check light will illuminate
If the radiator runs out of coolant, the engine temperature will drastically shoot up, causing the engine check light to illuminate to warn the driver that there is a problem that must be resolved in order to avoid total vehicle damage.
6. Persistent odour
You may notice a sweet, pleasant smell whenever you are near or inside your vehicle. Coolant odours are described as sweet. As a result, smelling this type of odour could indicate a coolant leak under your car. It's best if you keep looking until you find out what's causing the problem.
7. Engine smoke
If you notice a puff of white smoke coming from the exhaust of your vehicle. It indicates that the coolant level in the radiator is extremely low and that it should be refilled.
8. A faulty radiator cap
The radiator cap plays an important role in the operation of your vehicle's cooling system by preventing coolant from escaping and keeping the coolant inside the radiator at the proper pressure. If your radiator cap is damaged, coolant will leak, causing a coolant shortage in the radiator. A damaged radiator cap can also break the hoses by creating high pressure in them, allowing coolant to escape through another channel. A faulty radiator cap can cause the coolant reservoir to overflow, resulting in overheating of the engine system.
9. Damaged radiator hose
Radiator hoses will eventually wear out and tear if they are constantly transporting hot fluid. Your car's hoses will wear out quickly, especially if you use it for long trips on a daily basis. The hoses could even blow up, allowing coolant to flow freely. Coolant not flowing from reservoir to radiator as a result of a leak could be caused by a faulty radiator.
10. Faulty head gasket
A faulty head gasket will cause the engine check light to illuminate. The head gasket in your car is in charge of creating a seal between the cylinder and the engine block. It also improves oil and coolant flow. A blown head gasket can cause the fluid in your vehicle's combustion chambers to burn, which is extremely dangerous.
11. Intake manifold gasket failure
This component is found on the engine's side or on top. The gasket on the intake manifold directs fuel and airstream to the burned cylinders, resulting in power. A gasket is located inside the intake manifold, where it connects to the engine. This gasket at the engine connection point can wear out, causing coolant leakage in your vehicle.
12. A faulty radiator or water pump
The radiator cools the heated coolant as it circulates through its metal tubes, keeping the engine from overheating. The water pump maintains a constant temperature in the system by allowing coolant to flow freely through the radiator and engine block hoses. Damage to these components can cause a large leak in the cooling system.
How do you solve this issue?
These tips will help you protect your vehicle while also preparing you to deal with any of the problems listed above.
If your radiator cap is damaged, you will need to replace it with a new one. You can do it with the right toolbox if you know how, but you must ensure that the engine is cool and that the correct radiator cap is purchased for your vehicle. If you are unsure how to proceed, you should seek the help of a mechanic to help you resolve the problem.
Going about it incorrectly may cause additional damage to your vehicle. Radiator caps are reasonably priced, depending on the type you require.
Assume you have a worn or torn radiator hose issue. You must park your vehicle on a dry surface and let it cool. If possible, let the vehicle rest for several hours. Then you can look beneath your vehicle to see if there is any coolant leakage. Check to see if there is any liquid on the surface of the hoses. If you notice a leak, tighten the hose clamp; if it works, you don't need to replace the entire radiator hoses.
If you discover a problem with your vehicle's radiator or water pump, you must take it to a car mechanic as soon as possible. This type of problem necessitates the attention of a trained mechanic because the coolant must be drained. It is necessary to replace the radiator or the water pump. The mechanic must then resolve the issue of no coolant in the radiator by refilling it.
A blown head gasket is a major issue that is expensive to repair. This is extremely dangerous if it occurs in your vehicle. If you find yourself in this situation, you must decide whether the car head cylinder is worth repairing due to the high cost of repair. To resolve this issue, a mechanic will need to replace some costly components.
If the problem is limited to the intake manifold gasket, the mechanic can replace it. This is a much less severe issue than a blown head gasket.
If you notice that there is no coolant in the radiator, you should try refilling it. Coolant levels in the radiator can drop over time, so keep an eye on it after refilling. If you continue to notice a significant drop in the radiator's coolant level in the absence of normal coolant loss, Please take your vehicle to one of the best car repair garages for a thorough examination, as this problem could be caused by a variety of other issues.