RADIATOR PROBLEMS CALGARY
What is a Radiator?
Your vehicle’s radiator keeps your engine cool and is the heart of your vehicle’s cooling system. We’ve all seen a vehicle on the side of the road with the hood open and steam pouring out, this could be the result of a broken or leaking radiator. Your vehicle’s radiator is responsible for ensuring your engine stays cool and does not overheat.
When a car’s engine is switched on and running, it generates a great amount of heat, most of which is expelled through the exhaust system. The rest of it sits stagnant in the engine area, and although engines need heat to operate at an optimum level, too much heat will destroy the inner mechanics of your engine. The radiator directs engine coolant into certain areas of your vehicle’s engine to ensure that it does not overheat.
Can I Fix a Radiator Leak?
It is near impossible to fix a radiator leak – most radiators today are made of a plastic compound that is difficult to repair, and if you have a metal radiator the area must be clean and completely dry, before attempting a repair.. Your vehicle’s radiator runs coolant to different engine components through a network of hoses which can make it difficult to identify exactly where the leak is. Once a leak has been identified, the component that is leaking will need to be replaced. Stop-Leak is not a good solution because it gets caught in and plugs up the radiator fins. Plugging or taping around a leak may temporarily fix the issue but if not repaired properly, you will find more leaking problems… Let the expert technicians at Precision ensure that your radiator is fixed properly, so you won’t be stranded with an overheated engine.
How do I Know if My Radiator Needs to be Replaced?
There are several signs to look for when investigating if your radiator is in need of repair. The first and most obvious is if your radiator is visibly leaking fluid. Radiators use liquid engine coolant to prevent your vehicle from overheating, if this fluid begins to leak out of your radiator it prevents it from properly cooling your vehicle. The best way to identify if your radiator is leaking fluid is by keeping an eye on your garage floor or driveway for puddles of liquid or stains. Coolants come in a number of different colors, but leaking fluid will typically look sticky and be bright green, orange or pink in colour. A sweet smell is also common with coolant.
If you notice that your radiator is leaking fluid it is important to bring your vehicle to Precision Alignment and Brake immediately for further inspection. If you continue to operate your vehicle with a leaking radiator you run this risk of overheating your engine and causing severe damage to several engine components.
Another way to easily identify whether or not your vehicle’s radiator is in need of repair is by keeping an eye on your vehicle’s temperature gauge. If you notice that your temperature gauge is consistently rising while you are operating your vehicle there is most likely something wrong with your vehicle’s radiator or cooling system.
Another clear cut sign that your vehicle has a radiator in need of repair is if your vehicle has been overheating frequently. This is a sign that your vehicle’s radiator is in need of immediate repair. Every time your vehicle overheats it is causing damage to several different engine components. If your vehicle is overheating frequently it is important to bring it in for repair immediately to prevent further engine damage.
How do I Maintain My Radiator?
There are several maintenance techniques you can use to ensure that your vehicle’s radiator runs optimally and is less likely to require repairs. The first is to keep a close eye on your vehicle’s coolant levels. Ensuring that your radiator has the proper amount of coolant will not only keep your radiator running properly but also the rest of your engine.
Next you can ensure that you are replacing your engine coolant as often as the vehicle manufacturer recommends. The different vehicle manufacturers vary in their recommendations – some require replacement every 3 years, others every 2 years, and some annually. This ensures you are running clean coolant through your radiator and that your coolant is at the right level. Regularly changing your vehicle’s coolant is a great way ensure that your radiator does not become clogged and cause you issues in the future.
Another important yet simple maintenance procedure to perform on your radiator regularly is to make sure the radiator cap is screwed on properly. If your radiator cap has not been screwed on correctly it can leak coolant.. The cap also helps maintain the correct pressure in the radiator, and if it’s not sitting correctly then the pressure is compromised.
If it’s been awhile since you’ve had your wheels aligned, bring your vehicle to Precision Alignment & Brake in Calgary for an alignment check.
Contact Us to Setup an Auto Repair Appointment Today!
We offer complementary shuttle service for longer jobs of 2h or more, and this would need to be arranged at the time of booking appt.