Written by the Pro-Enviro Team
Providing spill response and cleanup, along with the FleetEasy Company of Family
Pro-Enviro has offered compliant spill response services to fleets in Washington State for over a decade. We help drivers and fleet managers when a mechanical failure or accident causes a fuel, oil, coolant, or other hazardous fluid spill. As part of the FleetEasy Company of Family, we provide a one-call solution for incidents that require spill cleanup, on-site repairs, towing, or all three.
In this article, we’ll share a story about a tractor-trailer that had a blown radiator while hauling through Tacoma.
Case Study: Blown Radiator Leads to Three FleetEasy Services
Dripping coolant from the radiator.
What happened
A driver of a Freightliner Cascadia hauling food products through Tacoma, Washington, saw a warning flash on his dash. It was suggesting an engine protection shutdown. He pulled over, looked under the truck and saw a coolant leak from a blown hose.
He called Motorplex by FleetEasy for an on-site repair and to check what was happening to his truck. Because our divisions all work together, our operator arrived representing Pro-Tow and Pro-Enviro as well. Our all-in-one fleet services family of companies allows us to offer any service a driver might need when stuck on the side of the road.
Once there, the technician completed a thorough inspection of the tractor and determined that the radiator had blown. The failure was in the radiator core in the mid/lower area of the rad closest to the passenger side. All other hoses seemed to be in good condition. The tech also inspected the reservoir for visual cracks, and it was A-OK.
The tech put some pressure on the system, but couldn't get it to hold. The tech determined the unit needed to be towed and was not safe to drive. A Pro-Tow truck was called to hook up and bring the unit back to its yard.
What FleetEasy services were required
One-Site Fleet Inspection & Repair: First, we were called to perform an on-site fleet repair. We sent our mobile repair unit to the scene to inspect the truck and run diagnostics. We found the root cause but couldn't complete the repairs on site.
Spill Containment & Cleanup: The coolant spill was minor, but still required containment and spill cleanup. Our technician knew to contain the spill immediately, as it was still actively leaking when we arrived. We put down absorbent pads and ensured contaminants were removed from the scene.
Heavy-Truck Towing: Pro-Tow was called to tow the truck after we determined it couldn’t be repaired on site and was unsafe to drive. Once the radiator was sealed off to prevent further leaks, we hooked it up and towed it back to the customer’s yard.
Should You Clean Spilled Radiator Coolant?
This truck left a pretty large puddle of coolant, but sometimes a coolant leak can be very minor. Should you still clean it up? Absolutely.
Proper radiator coolant spill cleanup is vital to protect human and pet health, prevent vehicle damage, and avoid harming the environment.
It’s unsafe for animals and people. Even a small amount can smell sweet to pets and other animals, and ingesting it can cause severe illness or death. Direct contact can also cause skin irritation and laboured breathing.
Rain and runoff can spread it. A pool of coolant can easily wash into storm drains or soil with the rain, harming water systems and wildlife. Proper collection and disposal of spilled vehicle fluids also helps you comply with local environmental regulations.
It can damage your vehicle. If you drive around with a leaky radiator or hose, that coolant can get into drive belts. Even a small amount can make them slip and cause issues. Plus, residue near electrical connections can cause corrosion or short circuits.
If you’re responsible for a vehicle fluid spill, even a small one, report it and take the next steps toward remediation.
When Mechanical Failures Cause Spills, Pro-Enviro is There
Pro-Enviro is a trustworthy, customer-centric company that focuses on environmental protection. When your fleet vehicle fails and causes a fuel, oil, or coolant spill, we’ll ensure fast cleanup that complies with local law. Our highly competent technicians and spill response units have the experience and tools to get the job done.