The radiator of a car is the most important component of its cooling system. The radiator is responsible for cooling the hot water that has absorbed heat from the engine. Therefore, if the radiator is not working properly, it needs to be replaced. If not replaced in time, it will overheat and cause an engine failure. There are certain signs that you can look for that indicate that the radiator is about to fail.
Leaking Water
If you notice a puddle of water beneath your car every morning, there is a leakage. It is not necessary that the leakage is from the radiator, but that’s where the most leaks are. To check where the leak is you can add dye to the water in the radiator. Leave the water overnight and in the morning you can scan the cooling system for traces of dye. This way you will be able to track the leaking area. If the leak is from the radiator, you should replace it immediately.
Car Overheating
If your car is overheating for no apparent reason, it can be one of two things. The first is an issue with the head gasket. Radiators also fail to cool the coolant effectively after years of use. In this case, it is not necessary that the radiator will leak. Without any apparent leakages, the radiator will not cool the water. This is because over time the internal lines either become clogged or restricted and don’t allow water to run through effectively. The radiator has to be replaced or flushed in this case. If flushing it doesn’t work, you have to replace it.
Rust in the Radiator
Rust in the radiator clogs the cooling lines. It is not uncommon for rust to form. If you notice rust in the radiator, you should consider having it replaced. If the radiator gets clogged altogether, the engine could heat up over the maximum limit, leading to a failure.
The radiator is the heart of a vehicle’s cooling system. To ensure that your engine does not suffer damage from overheating, take good care of your car’s radiator.
Need help? Twin Transmission provides expert radiator repairs and services. Call us today at 704-821-3460 for a free estimate.