You’re reading this article because your radiator is faulty and you are looking for car radiator repair assistance. Well, we are going to provide you with all the information you need to know on how to fix car radiator issues. To get started, let’s briefly consider some car radiator problems that warrant repair.
Common Car Radiator Problems
Your radiator is one of those pieces of your car that you don’t give much thought to until it breaks down. When it wants your attention, though, it usually has no trouble doing so.
Your automobile’s cooling system is made up of the radiator, thermostat, and water pump, and if there’s a problem with it, the incredibly high temperatures of your running engine can cause the car to overheat and eventually fail. Your engine runs hot — around 200 degrees Fahrenheit — and without a way to cool it down, that heat may cause havoc with the other components beneath the hood.
The radiator protects the engine from overheating by cooling the fluid that circulates around the block and distributes the heat generated by the engine. When you observe smoke rising from the radiator, it means the radiator has failed to perform its function and the automobile has overheated as a result.
As a result, it’s critical to understand some of the most frequent radiator issues, as well as how to avoid and remedy them, in order to keep your automobile as healthy as possible. The following are some of the common car radiator problems.
Radiator Leaks
Leaky hoses are the most common cause of radiator leaks, but you can also have leaks in the radiator itself, which can be a bigger issue. The pressure created by the coolant traveling from your radiator to your hot, running engine and back causes a lot of stress. Your radiator hoses will finally succumb to the pressure buildup.
The hoses will either deteriorate or break free, enabling coolant to exit the system and causing overheating. It’s an indication your radiator is leaking if you notice green fluid under your car or near it and smell something pleasant. Even if the hoses are intact, a leak in the body of your radiator can occur if it is severely rusted.
Rust
You’ll see rust on the outside of your car. But just because you aren’t aware of it doesn’t mean it isn’t occurring in your vehicle. Oxidation and rust are unavoidable when air, metal, and liquid are together. Because all of these elements are present in your radiator, rust is a genuine possibility. Your radiator may develop holes, leak, or otherwise malfunction if it becomes too corroded.
Check for rust in your radiator if your car is running too hot. On the outside, it should be obvious, but if the color of your coolant turns brownish, you can tell. If you drive in cold weather, you need be extra cautious of rust.
Obstructions and Mineral Deposits
A buildup of mineral deposits, sometimes known as gunk, is another common radiator issue. You’ll recognize muck because it’s a thick, ugly, goopy stuff that appears to exist primarily to block things up. Mineral deposits, by-products, dirt, and other obstructive buildup in your radiator make it difficult for it to pump the correct quantity of coolant to the engine.
Check inside the radiator for sludge accumulation if your automobile is overheating or getting hot too rapidly and you don’t notice any rust, leaks, or hose detachment.
Bad Thermostat Or Water Pump
Remember that your radiator is just one component of a larger coolant system, and all of the components must function properly to keep your engine cool. If the thermostat fails, the system won’t know when to discharge fluid into the radiator, and if the water pump fails, the system won’t be able to circulate the coolant. The radiator will not function properly if either of these things occurs.
Overheating When Idle
Any malfunction with the cooling system usually results in an overheated radiator or engine. A failing radiator fan is a common culprit if the temperature gauge climbs while you’re stuck in traffic or idling for any other reason.
An electric fan sucks air into the radiator to keep it cold when you are idling or traveling at low speed, which is a part of your coolant system, especially if you have a new car. Idle overheating is a regular side effect when this fan fails.
Car Radiator Repair: How To Fix Radiator Leak
Radiator leaks are a common issue in a variety of vehicles, and they must be addressed as soon as possible. A low coolant level in the radiator, a dry overflow reservoir, or an overheating engine are all signs of this problem.
Often, a radiator repair is all that is required, rather than a replacement. You might not even need to take your car to a mechanic. Aside from learning how to tell if your radiator is clogged, you should also learn how to fix simple leaks. After all, this can save you money in the long run by preventing costly repairs.
Identify the Source Of The Leak
It is not always necessary to take your vehicle to a service center if you see a coolant drip on your garage floor or driveway. It’s likely that all you have is a faulty drain valve, a leaking hose, or a reservoir that’s overflowing.
As a result, the first step is to pinpoint the cause of the radiator leak. Examine the bottom of your radiator, as well as the radiator hoses, reservoir, and drain valve. You’ll notice coolant drips accumulating in one of those areas.
Check the Intensity Of The Problem
If you discover that the coolant is running rather than slowly draining from your radiator, the leak is likely to be more serious. The damage may be too extensive to be rectified with a simple remedy in this scenario. It’s critical to look closely at the leaking area and see if the reservoir or hose has a major break in it. If you believe the leak from your radiator is not dangerous, you have a number of alternatives for halting it.
Use a Radiator Stop Leak Product
A radiator leak stop can plug microscopic gaps in your vehicle’s cooling system. It can frequently be used to stop a little leak in your radiator, hose, or overflow reservoir. This product can be found in an auto parts store or a budget retailer. Simply follow the container’s directions.
Typically, the procedure is dumping the contents into your vehicle’s radiator. However, make sure the radiator is completely cool before removing the cap. In some circumstances, the leak halt can only provide a temporary solution. As a result, it’s wise to be realistic about your expectations.
Monitor Your Vehicle’s Cooling System
Although the leak stopper may have remedied the problem, it is always possible for a tiny leak to become larger. So, especially during the summer, remember to keep an eye on your car’s temperature gauge. A coolant flush should be performed on a regular basis to keep the radiator in good working order.
Furthermore, periodically inspecting the surface beneath the radiator will be beneficial. If you observe any additional leaking, it’s time to call a mechanic. They should be able to determine if there are any other difficulties, such as power steering troubles or possible brake system damage, among others.
Watch video here for more information on how to stop radiator leak:
What Is The Cost Of Radiator Maintenance?
Radiator hose replacement expenses typically range from $150 to $200. A coolant flush can cost anywhere from $35 to $100, but if you do it yourself, you can reduce the cost to simply the flush solution and antifreeze. A new thermostat should cost between $200 and $250, while a new water pump can cost anywhere from $300 to 750 dollars, depending on how labor-intensive the replacement is. The cost of replacing a radiator fan can range from $500 to $750.
