Three Signs Your Radiator Needs Help
Summer may be coming to a close, but there are still plenty of days of heat ahead of you and your car. If you have noticed that your air conditioning isn’t functioning as well as it used to, or feel like your engine is overheating quickly, your radiator might not be functioning as well as it should. The best way to avoid costly repairs to your radiator and other crucial components of your car is by being proactive and taking your car in for a servicing at the first sign of a problem. If your car is experiencing any issues, or if you have noticed anything out of the ordinary about your vehicle, come into your local Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers today. Our staff of expertly trained and experienced automotive service technicians will properly diagnose any issues to get you back on the road in no time.
How Your Radiator Works
Your radiator is made out of a series of narrow pipes that run along your car’s grill. It essentially functions as a heat exchanger, using coolant to transfer heat away from the engine and safely dispersing that heat through the grill. The radiator pipes actively transport hot coolant away from the engine and cool the fluid with the air hitting your car as you drive. The refreshed coolant is then pumped back into the engine and the cycle begins all over again. The system functions extremely efficiently unless an issue or a breakdown had occurred. Without a properly functioning radiator, your car’s engine could easily superheat and melt plastic seals, burn up oil and fluids, and even cause serious damage to your manifold and other steel components.
Signs And Symptoms Of Problems
The first sign that your radiator is malfunctioning is if you notice that your car is regularly overheating. A properly functioning radiator with fresh coolant should be able to easily keep most engines cool, so if you have old coolant or an issue with your radiator itself, you could notice huge temperature spikes while driving your vehicle. The second most common symptom of a malfunctioning radiator is if you notice that your car is leaking coolant. The coolant should be spotted easily as most brands are a vibrant yellow, green, or red liquid. Your coolant could be leaking from a hose or pipe, or the radiator itself. A pressure test is required to figure out the extent of the leak and where it is located, which should be performed by a reputable and professional automotive service and repair shop. The last symptom of a radiator issue is if you open up your coolant tank and see an extremely low level of fluid or heavily discolored fluid. If your coolant level is low, you may need to replenish your coolant supply; however, it could also be a symptom of a leak somewhere along the coolant line. If your coolant is discolored, you need to take your vehicle to a professional automotive service and repair shop right away. Any foreign material in your coolant can cause serious damage to your engine and internal systems.
Choose The Right Service Technicians
The most important decision you will ever make about your vehicle is to which shop you will take it to when the time comes for necessary automotive service and repairs. Smaller mom & pop shops oftentimes promise a quick and cheap fix, or simply treat the symptoms of the issue but not the problem itself. Keep your vehicle running great on the road. Count on the expertly trained and experienced ASE-certified technicians at all Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers locations to handle any factory-scheduled, routine, and preventive maintenance on your car, light truck, or SUV. No matter how complex the repair, you can count on Dobbs to do the job right – the first time.
