Replacing coolant is not difficult, but it must be done correctly. Improper replacement of coolant is worse than not changing at all. Many shops do the job improperly. Using a new car dealership is also no assurance the job will be done properly. Best is to find a cooling system specialist that uses OEM coolant and distilled water, or do the job yourself.

The two primary symptoms of automotive cooling system failure are leaks and an overheated engine. Corrosion is the most common issue, largely caused by a lack of and improperly done maintenance. Properly replacing coolant is far more complex than most people realize.

Modern engines are designed to run within a narrow range of temperature. Because the metals used in an engine, expand at different rates, excess temperature causes a great many problems. Above a certain temperature, permanent engine damage will result.

Internal combustion engines convert fuel into mechanical energy and a lot of heat. When the heat of an engine is not controlled, by the cooling system, things get out of hand very quickly. At what temperature is an engine considered overheated and what happens when it is?

There are many places that cooling systems may leak, some obvious and others difficult to locate. Accurate diagnosis and repair will keep the problem from expanding drastically.

Years tend to slip by and with cars, this is no exception. It is easy to forget about the radiator. Radiators get rid of heat generated by the engine. When they fail, the results will be very clear.

Most folks realize an engine thermostat can cause a vehicle to overheat. Did you know thermostats are also one of the leading causes of poor fuel milage?

Water pumps are often likened to the heart of the cooling system. When the pump fails, the results are not pleasant. Most water pump failure can be prevented with a few simple measures.

The 4.6L Ford engine has been installed in millions of vehicles over the years. It is the engine of the very popular Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car. These engines use plastic intake manifolds and from 1996 through 2001 there was a problem that can leave drivers stranded.  The problem is a sudden cracking of the intake manifold.

If your General Motors SUV or truck is losing coolant, with no visible signs of a leak, the source may shock you. Worse, allowing the problem to go on may well mean a new engine.

Search the web, and you will find huge amounts of mis-information on engine coolants.  This is especially common in the case of the orange GM coolant, Dexcool.  Statistically, I see no less problems with green, yellow, red or any other coolant on the market.  Properly serviced, all coolants work well.  Improperly serviced all coolants will have problems.

Late model General Motors vehicles have had more than their share of problems with intake manifold gasket failure. Many times these vehicles come to us, leaking again after having had the intake gaskets replaced elsewhere. Any number of things have been blamed, from Dexcool coolant to defective gaskets. I feel neither of these adequately explains the large number of repeat failures suffered by these engines.