Coolant puddles under your car (green, orange, or pink with a slightly sweet smell), a temperature gauge that runs higher than normal, or a reservoir that needs topping off repeatedly are all signs of a cooling system leak. What looks like a minor seep can leave you stranded within days if a hose fails completely, and low coolant is the leading cause of roadside overheating. Common sources include the water pump weep hole (a design feature that signals seal failure before it fails catastrophically), radiator hose connections, the radiator core itself, or in more serious cases, a head gasket. A pressure test of the cooling system is the fastest and most accurate way to find where the leak is originating.
We pressure-test your cooling system to precisely locate the source of the leak—often finding failures that aren't visible to the naked eye, like a pinhole in the radiator core or a seeping water pump seal. Once the leak source is confirmed, we explain exactly what's failing and why before quoting any repair. Many coolant leaks are straightforward hose replacements; others point to the water pump or radiator. We'll give you an honest assessment of which components are near their end so you can make one repair visit instead of two. Learn more about our Water Pump Replacement service.
From diagnosis to repair, we keep you informed every step of the way.
Call or text us to describe what you're experiencing.
Bring your vehicle in for a thorough inspection.
We explain what we found and quote before any work begins.
Experienced technicians complete the repair with quality parts.
We test drive and verify the repair before returning your car.
The most common sources are the water pump weep hole (a designed warning that the internal seal is failing), radiator hose connections where clamps have softened, the radiator core itself from corrosion or impact, and in more serious cases, the head gasket. A pressure test of the cooling system finds leaks that aren't visible to the naked eye.
A small seep can leave you stranded within days if the hose fails completely or if coolant level drops low enough to overheat the engine. Low coolant is the leading cause of roadside overheating. A leak that's actively dripping or growing warrants same-week attention at minimum.
Stop-leak products can mask a minor seep temporarily, but they don't solve the underlying failure. They can also clog the water pump impeller, radiator passages, and heater core—turning a simple hose or water pump replacement into a much larger cooling system overhaul. We don't recommend them as a solution.
These are the most common reasons drivers experience this symptom.
The water pump weep hole leaks when the internal seal fails—a designed warning before complete failure.
Cracked, softened, or loose hose clamps are one of the most common coolant leak sources.
Corrosion from old coolant or physical impact can crack the radiator core or end tanks.
A failing head gasket can leak coolant externally or allow it to mix with engine oil internally.
Not sure if this is your issue? Browse other common problems we fix.
Contact Scott's Auto and Clutch today for honest service and expert repairs.
144 W Crystal Ave, South Salt Lake, UT 84115