Your car’s radiator is designed to regulate the temperature of your car’s engine in order to keep it operating at its maximum potential. As with any other type of vehicle, your car is made up of hundreds of parts that work together to keep it in proper working order. If your radiator has an issue, it can quickly affect other parts of your vehicle and put you in danger while on the road.
Take a look at these common issues we see with car radiators:
Leaky Radiator Hose. Radiator hoses link your radiator to the engine itself and allow for the safe transport of coolant from one to the other. These hoses should be replaced periodically in your vehicle, even if they haven’t caused any damage yet. Over time, they become worn and are prone to leaks that inhibit the proper flow of coolant into and out of the radiator and engine.
Failed Water Pump. Your car’s cooling system uses a pump to transport the coolant throughout the engine to regulate engine temperature. Water moves from the radiator, to the pump, to the engine and back to the radiator. If your water pump fails, the water can no longer circulate properly and will cause the car to overheat.
Obstructions in the Cooling System. Body damage to your vehicle, as well as scale buildup, can cause blockages within your car’s cooling system. Like the previous issues, this makes it more difficult for coolant to move efficiently through the radiator, hoses, pump, and engine.
Air Trapped in the Cooling System. If air becomes trapped in your car’s cooling system, it can also lead to restricted coolant flow, reducing efficiency. A professional can bleed the cooling system in order to remove any air bubbles from the system.
Failed Thermostat. The thermostat isn’t part of the radiator itself, but it controls the amount of coolant that is allowed to flow into and out of the radiator. This helps regulate engine operating temperature, so when the thermostat fails, your car is very likely to overheat.
Failed Radiator Fan. The radiator fan is there to pull a specific amount of air into the radiator in order to keep your vehicle cool at low speeds. If you find your vehicle riding smoothly on the highway but overheating when idle or in traffic, the radiator fan is likely the issue.
Looking for a radiator repair shop in Maryland? Contact us at Hillmuth Auto Care to schedule a repair or maintenance appointment with one of our experienced technicians today.
