The Ford Mustang is an iconic American muscle car, and generations of Mustangs have been turning heads for decades. Mustangs are typically reliable vehicles even though they perform at a high level, but like any car, they can develop issues over time.
As a leader in auto repair and service in the San Jose area, our team has worked on many high performance vehicles over the years, including countless Mustangs. We employ a team of well-educated, friendly, and customer-focused technicians, and many of them specialize in sports cars.
We can take on any issue you might have with a Mustang, but in today’s article we will discuss a problem which should always be addressed quickly: a coolant leak. Coolant helps to regulate engine temperature, so leaks can cause major issues. Read on to learn the most common reasons for coolant leaks in Mustangs, and how we can fix them.
Water Pump Leak
The most common place for coolant to leak from in any vehicle, not just the Mustang, is from the water pump. The name “water pump” is a relic from when cars were cooled with actual water. Modern vehicles pump coolant through the engine, and the water pump houses this coolant. Over time, the seals in the water pump can degrade, leading to a loss of coolant. These leaks are often more visible than others, with coolant leaving residue under the hood or even leaking onto the ground under the car. When a water pump is leaking, we can typically perform a replacement or repair quickly.
Damaged Coolant System Components
As we said earlier, the water pump forces coolant through the engine. This coolant has to travel through various hoses and tubes which are held in place by clamps. As the car ages, the components of the coolant system can weaken, crack, or otherwise become damaged. When this happens, small leaks can occur as coolant travels through the system. These leaks can be harder to detect since the cracks might be very small or the leaks happen infrequently. We can use UV light and fluorescent dye in the coolant to examine the entire system and easily find the leak. Once we do, we can replace the damaged components and ensure there are no further leaks.
Internal Coolant Leaks
The scenarios described in the previous sections are examples of external coolant leaks: situations where coolant leaks onto the outside of the engine components or onto the ground. These external leaks are the most common type of coolant leaks, but occasionally coolant can leak into the car’s engine oil or the combustion chamber. This is a sign of a larger, more complex issue such as a cracked cylinder head or engine block. If this is happening, you wouldn’t see any coolant but instead might experience engine misfires or the car’s oil might change consistency/color. If you suspect this is happening, bring your car in as soon as possible for a full diagnosis.
If you’re having coolant issues with your Mustang, we can help. Call us today with questions or to schedule your service.
