It’s time to think about the condition of your vehicle after making it through the harsh winter weather! Now would be a good time for some vehicle spring cleaning, including your radiator. You will want to make sure you don’t get stranded somewhere on a hot summer day with an overheating engine. Prevent an emergency radiator repair with regular radiator service.
Why is radiator repair important? The job of the radiator is to keep the engine cool with the right mixture of coolant and water. The coolant absorbs the heat produced by the engine, passing it through the radiator, which cools it off. This cooled coolant is then recirculated through the engine. This is why fresh clean coolant is so important.
So if you’re wondering how to know if you have a bad radiator, here are three major signs:
- Leaking. Check the floor of your garage or under the car where you park. If you notice a puddle of coolant (it could be green, pink, or orange) or notice a sweet smell, more than likely a leak has developed in the radiator unit or in a hose. Don’t just keep refilling your coolant, but have the radiator and hoses inspected as soon as possible.
- Overheating.If the coolant level drops too low and your engine starts to overheat, you will see the temperature gauge rising and a warning light come on. If this is a consistent problem, your radiator is probably going bad. If you catch this problem before it gets too bad, a relatively inexpensive radiator repair may be all that is needed. However, if you ignore the issue, it will only get bigger and you will be looking at a radiator replacement. Don’t keep driving if your engine is overheating. Pullover as soon as possible and call a tow truck.
- Buildup of sludge. As the radiator goes bad, contamination will turn the coolant into a rusty or oil color, eventually turning into sludge. This buildup of sludge is unable to drain out, thus preventing the cooling of the engine. This can cause extensive damage to the engine and transmission.
Remember: Please note that any type of radiator repair should be performed by a certified mechanic.
For more information about how to know if you have a bad radiator, contact our ASE-certified technicians at Express Auto Service & Repair for more information about radiator repair and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop serves vehicle owners in Mankato, MN, and the neighboring communities of North Mankato, MN, New Ulm, MN, and St. Peter, MN.
It’s time to think about the condition of your vehicle after making it through the harsh winter weather! Now would be a good time for some vehicle spring cleaning, including your radiator. You will want to make sure you don’t get stranded somewhere on a hot summer day with an overheating engine. Prevent an emergency radiator repair with regular radiator service.
Why is radiator repair important? The job of the radiator is to keep the engine cool with the right mixture of coolant and water. The coolant absorbs the heat produced by the engine, passing it through the radiator, which cools it off. This cooled coolant is then recirculated through the engine. This is why fresh clean coolant is so important.
So if you’re wondering how to know if you have a bad radiator, here are three major signs:
- Leaking. Check the floor of your garage or under the car where you park. If you notice a puddle of coolant (it could be green, pink, or orange) or notice a sweet smell, more than likely a leak has developed in the radiator unit or in a hose. Don’t just keep refilling your coolant, but have the radiator and hoses inspected as soon as possible.
- Overheating.If the coolant level drops too low and your engine starts to overheat, you will see the temperature gauge rising and a warning light come on. If this is a consistent problem, your radiator is probably going bad. If you catch this problem before it gets too bad, a relatively inexpensive radiator repair may be all that is needed. However, if you ignore the issue, it will only get bigger and you will be looking at a radiator replacement. Don’t keep driving if your engine is overheating. Pullover as soon as possible and call a tow truck.
- Buildup of sludge. As the radiator goes bad, contamination will turn the coolant into a rusty or oil color, eventually turning into sludge. This buildup of sludge is unable to drain out, thus preventing the cooling of the engine. This can cause extensive damage to the engine and transmission.
Remember: Please note that any type of radiator repair should be performed by a certified mechanic.
For more information about how to know if you have a bad radiator, contact our ASE-certified technicians at Express Auto Service & Repair for more information about radiator repair and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop serves vehicle owners in Mankato, MN, and the neighboring communities of North Mankato, MN, New Ulm, MN, and St. Peter, MN.
