Engines are complex machines and any minor problem can cause malfunctions. Your radiator is a very important part of your engine, and it should be one of the highest maintenance priorities. You know how hot your engine gets if you’ve ever opened the hood of your car after driving it for an extended period of time. The radiator circulates coolant through your vehicle’s engine to keep it from overheating and maintain a steady temperature. However, if the radiator fails and the engine overheats, you may be in for some big (and costly) repairs. To avoid a more catastrophic problem, be aware of the warning signals that your car needs radiator repairs.
Your Engine Is Overheating
Of course, this is the most obvious indicator of a radiator problem, and if your engine is overheating, you should pull over immediately and let it cool down. White steam coming from beneath the hood is a sign of an overheated engine. If you keep driving while your car is hot, the engine may seize or the piston may melt and fuse with the cylinder, necessitating a complete engine replacement.
Your Indicator Shows a Temperature Increase
After your automobile has warmed up, your dashboard instrument panel features a temperature indicator that displays your engine’s temperature. Generally, it is roughly halfway between cold and hot. Unless something is wrong, it should never rise over the middle. If the needle on your temperature gauge is creeping toward the hot end of the scale, have your radiator inspected right away. You may only require extra coolant, but you do not want to risk irreversible harm by driving it while it is hot.
Rust Is Beginning To Appear On Your Radiator
Because your car’s radiator is constructed of metal, it will rust if it is exposed to moisture for an extended period of time. If your radiator has rust on it, there could be a leak in the radiator hose or the radiator itself. The coolant could squirt out of the hole and onto the radiator due to the leak. Despite the fact that the fluid will burn off rapidly owing to the heat, moisture spots will remain, which will rust.
Brightly Colored Liquid Is Leaking
If you detect a bright green, yellow, or pink fluid under your car, you most likely have a coolant leak. This could be due to a leaking radiator hose or the radiator itself. It must be fixed before all of your coolant runs out and your car overheats. Not only that, but coolant keeps your engine from freezing up in the winter.
Low Coolant Levels
Checking your coolant level (and other fluid levels) on a regular basis might alert you to potential concerns if the level is low. If you have an external coolant leak, you’ll notice a pool of colorful fluid on the ground; however, the sole sign of an internal coolant leak is a lower-than-normal coolant level. Add enough coolant to your radiator, but also take it to a service center as quickly as possible to locate and correct the leak.
Schedule Repairs Today!
Any of these indicators mean that you should take your vehicle to a repair center for a radiator inspection immediately. If you notice any of these problems, schedule an appointment with Quality Star Imports & Domestic in Las Vegas to get it fixed as soon as possible!