* Coolant Loss: The most immediate consequence is the loss of coolant. The leak will gradually deplete the coolant reservoir.
* Engine Overheating: Without sufficient coolant to absorb and dissipate heat generated by the engine, the engine will start to overheat. This is indicated by the temperature gauge rising significantly, often accompanied by steam or smoke coming from under the hood.
* Engine Damage: Prolonged overheating can cause severe and expensive damage to the engine. This includes:
* Warped cylinder head: The intense heat can warp the cylinder head, leading to a loss of compression and ultimately engine failure.
* Cracked engine block: Similar to the cylinder head, the engine block can crack, resulting in irreparable damage.
* Damaged head gasket: The head gasket, which seals the cylinder head to the engine block, can fail due to the extreme heat, causing coolant to leak into the cylinders or oil to mix with coolant.
* Seized engine: In extreme cases, parts of the engine can seize up due to lack of lubrication and excessive heat.
* Further damage: Overheating can also damage other components, such as the water pump, radiator hoses, and even the transmission.
In short: Driving with a radiator leak is extremely risky and should be avoided. If you notice a leak, stop driving immediately, have the leak repaired, and refill the coolant before driving again. Ignoring a radiator leak will almost certainly lead to expensive engine repairs or even engine replacement.
