Coolants are supposed to keep your engine working at a normal temperature. But what happens if you spilled coolant on engine? Will it cause engine damage?
Engine coolant or antifreeze is a cooling compound that is mixed with water to keep a car’s engine at an optimum temperature to prevent overheating or freezing.
When you are pouring coolant into your car, it can happen that some of the coolant spills onto the engine. What do you do then? Is there some damage done by the coolant on the engine?
Let us tell you about some of the troubles you might run into if you spill coolant on your engine and what you can do about it. So read on to find out.
What Happens If You Spill Coolant On The Engine?
In a car, the coolant runs through the coolant pipes around the engine to keep the system from not heating up too fast or not freezing when kept in the cold.
When you are pouring the coolant, spilling can be a very common problem, though not something to be too concerned about.
In most cases, spilling some amount of coolant in the engine bay will only be an extra thing to clean up and not cause any damage.
There is a chance of damage to the engine only when you are pouring the antifreeze on an already heated engine.
There are, however, certain situations when you have to worry about the coolant on the engine. If you find yourself adding coolant frequently, it can be a sign of a leak in the engine.
You need to check the temperature of your engine and add coolant before you start driving.
When Can A Coolant Spill Destroy The Engine?
There are specific circumstances under which a coolant spill can cause permanent damage to the engine.
It can interfere with the functioning of an engine and the surrounding electrical component, which in turn can be a cause for trouble to the engine.
This is why the cleanup and disposal of antifreeze are essential after use.
There are a few problems you have to be aware of when you are faced with a coolant spill on your engine.
Heating and Contraction Of The Engine
When an engine is running actively, the temperature is as high as 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
If any kind of cooling liquid is poured into this high-temperature metallic component, it will start contracting quickly.
The sudden contracting in the structure can cause a crack in the metal, or sometimes it can result in the engine braking.
Repairing or replacing an engine can be a huge headache for any vehicle owner. It includes a very expensive metal repair, and your car can be out of service for a long time.
The coolant should only be added to the engine at room temperature to avoid major damage.
Damage To Electrical Components
A coolant leakage can become a major problem for electrical components surrounding your engine. If the liquid spills into the wiring system, it can affect the spark plugs, fuse, or battery.
This could be because of the reaction of the liquid with the electrical system, often causing the car not to start at all.
This is why it is necessary to clean up the spill on the engine.
Permanent Stains
The engine coolant in a car evaporates with time when spilled on a surface. This is why a coolant spill causes nothing more than a mess that needs to be cleaned up.
However, even after evaporation, there is some residue left behind, which creates ugly, powdery spots on your car.
These are mostly cosmetic damages and can be cleaned up from exterior surfaces.
You need to be worried when you see the dried coolant stains on the mechanical components of your car.
This can occur when there have been a number of spills that haven’t been cleaned up.
How To Clean A Coolant Spill?
Working with cars, spills can become a part of your regular maintenance days.
This is why you need to know the right tricks about cleaning up the mess and preventing any kind of damage to the car, especially internal components.
Talking about coolant spills, there can be a few easy ways to manage the mess made by the spill.
All you need to do is make sure there is no coolant leak from the pipes that can affect the engine over a long period of time.
The cleaning process for coolant spill depends on how major the problem is. If you have spilled a tiny amount of coolant on the engine or engine bay, wipe it up with a cotton rag or paper towel.
If it is a hard-to-reach spot, make sure to use small pieces of paper towels to clean it up and clear up any residue.
If the spill is higher in density in an area, it is suggested to use a garden hose to wash off the liquid.
You need to let the car’s engine cool down to a fairly low temperature and spray it with a hose to remove the antifreeze solution.
Over time, when the water evaporates from the engine and its surroundings, it will help to remove the excess liquid.
When cleaning the engine, you have to take extra care about the electrical components.
This includes the alternators, connectors, and battery terminals that run through and around the engine to get the car’s system working.
Do not soak any of these components in too much water for too long; otherwise, you are surely risking damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if you spill antifreeze on the ground?
The main chemical component in antifreeze is ethylene glycol, which is highly toxic to any kind of organic thing.
If the liquid leaks and spills on the ground, it can create toxic spots. On plants, the chemical is known to have a harmful effect, hindering their growth.
Is antifreeze toxic after it dries?
If there is antifreeze residue on your car’s surface, it is usually not toxic. The residue, if left unattended for a long time, will create a stubborn spot on the car that will become difficult to remove.
Spilled coolant on engine smoking?
If smoke is caused by spilled coolant on a car engine, it is the steam from the water loss.
The water in the system reacts with the coolant, and as the temperature goes down, steam is formed to release the excess heat. It could also result from a very hot engine or leaky exhaust system.
Is it OK to wash down your engine?
A car’s engine can be washed down with a common garden hose as long as the electrical components are saved.
Washing the engine can become important when one is trying to deal with an oil spill or coolant spill.
However, the water needs to be allowed to evaporate, and there should be no moisture around the electrical parts that can cause a short circuit.
Conclusion
The antifreeze liquid is absolutely necessary for any vehicle owner, which is why you must ensure it is used diligently.
The liquid keeps the car moving safely on the road but can also be toxic when not checked in levels.
Therefore, if you spill any of the contents on the car, you have to make sure that you are cleaning it up properly.
Thank you for reading!
