Posted on 1/30/2026

Coolant leaks don’t always announce themselves with a puddle and steam. A lot of them start as a slow seep that evaporates on a hot engine, then leaves behind a smell or a crusty residue that’s easy to ignore. The problem is that a small leak can turn into overheating, and overheating is one of the fastest ways to create expensive engine trouble. If you catch the early clues, you can usually deal with it while it’s still a straightforward repair. Why Small Coolant Leaks Are Easy To Overlook The cooling system is pressurized when the engine is hot. That means a tiny crack or weak seal can leak only under pressure, then look dry once the car cools down. On top of that, coolant often lands on hot surfaces and burns off, so you don’t see a drip on the ground. People end up topping off the reservoir once in a while and hoping it was a one-time thing. If you’ve had to add coolant more than once, it’s not a coincidence. The system is se ... read more