All
of the moving parts of your vehicle's engine create a lot of friction.
That friction, combined with the internal combustion process, generates a
large amount of heat. The coolant system is critical to protect your
vehicle's engine from heat damage. A typical engine can run at well over
200 degrees, and the combustion process can generate over 4,500
degrees. Those are significant numbers, and that's why you need to keep
things cool.
At the heart of your car's coolant
system is the radiator. After the coolant flows through the engine,
absorbing its heat, it enters the radiator. Cool air from outside of the
engine flows over the radiator to take the heat out of the coolant,
which then cycles back through the engine to continue cooling it. If the
radiator is not doing its job well, or if it springs a leak, the entire
cooling process is disrupted. We can help protect your car's engine
with radiator and coolant system services. We work on both foreign and
domestic radiators and can offer help with most vehicles.
Common Problems with Radiators
What
kinds of problems could you have with your radiator? As with all
components of your vehicle's engine, there are some common issues that
can arise that you should be aware of. Some of these include:
Leaks –
Leaks often come from hoses, but the radiator itself and also leak. If
you notice a green tinted liquid pooling beneath your car, you have a
coolant system leak that needs to be investigated.
Rust –
Air, metal, and liquid are all found in your radiator, which means it
can develop rust. Too much rust can cause a hole to develop. To see if
you have rust, look for a brownish tint to the coolant.
Obstructions –
Mineral deposits can also build up in your radiator. Our mechanics like
to refer to this as "gunk," and it looks like a thick, goopy substance
in the coolant. This can prevent the coolant from flowing
Radiator Fan
– If the radiator fan stops working, then it won't cool the radiator
and the coolant inside. This can allow the engine to spike a hot
temperature while sitting in idle or driving at a low speed.
If
you're noticing any of these problems, bring your vehicle in right
away. You will need to repair the radiator or coolant system before
driving it, or risk catastrophic engine damage due to overheating.
Radiator Maintenance Services
One
way to protect your radiator and prevent some of these problems is with
radiator maintenance. A coolant flush, which removes the old coolant
and refills the system with clean coolant, costs very little and can
reduce the risk of damage from rust or obstructions. Our team of
mechanics is ready to help you keep your radiator working at its best
with a regular coolant flush. In addition, make sure you're checking
coolant levels regularly to ensure your radiator is always supplied with
the coolant it needs to do its job.
Radiator and Coolant System Repair
Sometimes,
even with the best maintenance, your radiator is going to need to be
replaced or repaired. Our team is ready to assist, with expert
diagnostics and fair pricing for repairs. Whether you need a hose
replaced to stop a leak or need a new radiator, you can trust that our
mechanics will give you fair, honest answers to help you get your car
back up and running again.
If you are noticing a leak from your radiator or suspect rust or other damage, don't wait. Visit our shop for help today.
Services
Radiator
