Your radiator has a very important function – running coolant through your engine. Without that, your engine will overheat and the car won’t run. Check for coolant leaks, most commonly caused by corrosion but also possibly stemming from cracked or loosed hoses or a tear in the radiator. Here is what your radiator service will include and how we can help you.
What is the Radiator?
Essentially, the radiator is Grand Central Station for an engine’s cooling system. The mixture of antifreeze and water that cools the engine continually passes through the radiator. From there, it discharges some of the heat it gathered from the engine and takes in cooler air before it circulates again around the engine. A spur line sends warm coolant to the heater core to generate heated air for the interior when required.
A water pump circulates the coolant around the engine, and a thermostatically controlled fan behind the radiator turns on as needed to bring more air through the radiator to help cool the antifreeze/water.
Today, most radiators are made of aluminum and plastic and can typically prevent rust, however, sometimes the metal can still corrode. Antifreeze has rust inhibitors that can break down over time. When this happens, corrosion can occur and cause damage to cooling fins inside the radiator and rust to occur from the inside and result in leaks.
Due to all of this, this is why vehicle manufacturers recommended changing the engine coolant and flushing the system periodically. Some manufacturers suggest this every 100,000 miles or more, while others say the coolant doesn’t ever need to be changed and it’s levels only need to be checked periodically.
Common Radiator Problems
Unfortunately, the radiator is a part of the car that you have to think about even when it’s not having any issues. The radiator, thermostat, and water pump are what makes up your car’s cooling system. When a problem happens, it can cause high-heat temperatures within the engine and can lead to your car overheating — and possibly failing. Your car’s engine is typically around 200 degrees Fahrenheit, but when it isn’t being cooled down, the heat can cause problems with all sorts of parts under the hood.
