If your car has survived the hot temperatures of summer, think about the condition of your vehicle as we head into the cooler days of fall. You definitely want your vehicle to be ready for the harsh winter conditions to come. An important component that may be overlooked during a basic maintenance inspection is the radiator!
How do you know if you have a bad radiator before damage occurs to the engine? There are three main issues to consider about the condition of your radiator:
- Antifreeze leaking from the radiator. A puddle under the car where you park, (it could be green, pink, or orange), or an unusual sweet smell, could mean that the radiator unit or a hose has developed a leak. Don’t put off having a radiator repair, as the level of water and coolant can get too low before you start to notice problems.
- Engine overheats and starts to smoke. If the coolant level drops too low, your engine will start to overheat. If you see the temperature gauge rise while driving and a warning light illuminates on the instrument panel, pull over as soon as you safely can and call a tow truck. By catching the problem early on, most engine repair issues can be taken care of with relatively little expense or time. Ignoring the problem means it will only get bigger and more costly, and damage could be taking place in your engine.
- Sludge Build-up. Contamination in the coolant from dirt or engine particles can turn it into a dark rusty or oil color, resulting in the buildup of sludge. If this sludge isn’t kept cleaned out, the engine can overheat, resulting in extensive damage to the engine and transmission.
Vehicle owners should know that radiator repair should be performed by a certified mechanic. This checklist will help you know the things that should be inspected:
- The level of fluids will be checked and topped off or flushed as needed,
- Your mechanic will look for signs of corrosion and oxidation,
- The thermostat and fans are working properly,
- Inspect the belts and hoses for cracks or leaks.
Worried about how do you know if you have a bad radiator? Contact our ASE Certified technicians today at Elk River Tire & Auto for more information about radiator repair and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop in Elk River, MN proudly serves residents in the areas of Zimmerman, and Otsego, Minnesota.
If your car has survived the hot temperatures of summer, think about the condition of your vehicle as we head into the cooler days of fall. You definitely want your vehicle to be ready for the harsh winter conditions to come. An important component that may be overlooked during a basic maintenance inspection is the radiator!
How do you know if you have a bad radiator before damage occurs to the engine? There are three main issues to consider about the condition of your radiator:
- Antifreeze leaking from the radiator. A puddle under the car where you park, (it could be green, pink, or orange), or an unusual sweet smell, could mean that the radiator unit or a hose has developed a leak. Don’t put off having a radiator repair, as the level of water and coolant can get too low before you start to notice problems.
- Engine overheats and starts to smoke. If the coolant level drops too low, your engine will start to overheat. If you see the temperature gauge rise while driving and a warning light illuminates on the instrument panel, pull over as soon as you safely can and call a tow truck. By catching the problem early on, most engine repair issues can be taken care of with relatively little expense or time. Ignoring the problem means it will only get bigger and more costly, and damage could be taking place in your engine.
- Sludge Build-up. Contamination in the coolant from dirt or engine particles can turn it into a dark rusty or oil color, resulting in the buildup of sludge. If this sludge isn’t kept cleaned out, the engine can overheat, resulting in extensive damage to the engine and transmission.
Vehicle owners should know that radiator repair should be performed by a certified mechanic. This checklist will help you know the things that should be inspected:
- The level of fluids will be checked and topped off or flushed as needed,
- Your mechanic will look for signs of corrosion and oxidation,
- The thermostat and fans are working properly,
- Inspect the belts and hoses for cracks or leaks.
Worried about how do you know if you have a bad radiator? Contact our ASE Certified technicians today at Elk River Tire & Auto for more information about radiator repair and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop in Elk River, MN proudly serves residents in the areas of Zimmerman, and Otsego, Minnesota.
