If the coolant is draining out of the expansion tank quickly, look under the car after parking overnight. Perhaps there are traces (drops, puddles of antifreeze), by the location of which you can determine where the antifreeze flows from the cooling system. It is there that the restoration of tightness is required.
Necessary
Dry mustard powder, polymer sealant, special soldering iron, solder, "cold welding", a set of hoses and clamps, a radiator and, if necessary, other parts of the cooling system for replacement
Instructions
Step 1
Determine exactly the location of the antifreeze flow. If fluid leaks around the hoses and radiator connections, tighten the clamps.
Step 2
If microcracks appear on different elements of the cooling system and you need to travel, and the service is far away, use the old recipe for temporary sealing. Dissolve some dry mustard powder in antifreeze and pour the mixture into an expansion tank or radiator. Mustard will reduce or even close up small leaks. After a ride, thoroughly flush the cooling system so that the mustard does not block the gaps in the radiator pipes and the stove.
Step 3
Use modern polymer sealants instead of mustard. Remember, they are designed for quick repairs on the go, not preventive maintenance. Because sometimes those passages that do not need to be blocked are narrowed, and they form plaque on the inner surfaces of the cooling system parts. Pour the polymerizing agent into the radiator or coolant reservoir. Warm up the engine. After a while, the heated sealant, under the influence of air, will create an airtight polymer film in the area of the leak, if the hole size is not more than 1.5-2 sq. mm. These are small cracks, holes, delamination of soldered parts, joints, gaskets, pipes, seals.
Step 4
In case of major defects, repair parts of the cooling system. Drain coolant and remove damaged parts. In a copper radiator, solder the holes with a special soldering iron with a high heat capacity so that its power is sufficient to melt the solder and heat the surface. For an aluminum radiator, use "cold welding" - heat-resistant sealants-adhesives, similar in structure to plasticine. Cover the gap with glue. Let it harden and set before further use of the radiator. Do everything carefully, observing the technology so that the radiator maintains operating pressure.
Step 5
At the first opportunity, replace the parts that have lost their tightness with new ones. Change the cracked hoses, put high-quality clamps on the loose connections, install a new radiator and, if necessary, all other elements: the cooling system pump, the heater tap, etc.
