Our guide to saving both you and your mechanic time in diagnostics
The moving cogs that make up everything driving your car forward generate a lot of heat, which at a certain point can become dangerous to the machine as a whole – particularly your engine. Enter the radiator; this auto part is responsible for keeping the engine operating at a healthy temperature, making sure that it works efficiently and for as long a time as it possibly can.
The radiator doesn’t have moving pieces, but even as relatively simple as it is, it can still have issues along the way that in turn wind up costing you time and money to repair before your engine really suffers. Normally, problems with your radiator stem from overheating, which can eventually lead to melted pistons, cracks in the engine itself, and other consequences that can be much more difficult to fix. The real question becomes, what caused your radiator to overheat in the first place?
Getting started
Before you do anything else, we recommend retrieving the manual for your vehicle. Not only will it help you identify some of the key components under the hood, but it could have some notes on particular problems and procedures for your make and model. Once you’ve got that on hand, see if you can scan your car’s computer for any trouble codes and think about the issues you’ve been having.
- Is it too much heat, a loss of coolant? Have there been any leaks?
- Are there any strange noises or other signs that have started happening recently?
- Is the problem constant, or do you only notice it at certain times? For example, some fixes might manifest themselves when your car is idling, as opposed to coasting on open road.
- When was the last time you replaced fluids?
Common culprits
While we can’t guarantee that the trouble with your radiator will result in an easy fix, we can clue you in on some of the more frequent offenders in that area of your car and help you troubleshoot them before you even transport it to a mechanic. In doing so, you’ll likely save yourself and the professional time and resources, and get yourself back on the road that much sooner.
Low or old coolant
One of the simplest maintenance items for an overheating radiator leads back to coolant. Sometimes, you just need to add more or get rid of the contamination caused by old fluids. Consult your vehicle manual for the safest and most efficient method of checking your coolant level and quality. If the amount is right, but the color of the coolant is off, then you’ll know that it’s old or contaminated in some way. You can buy testing strips to find out if there is acid build-up or a problem with the coolant’s strength, and proceed from there.
Coolant leak or obstruction
Other regular occurrences that can cause problems with your car’s radiator include coolant leaks or obstructions in its circulation, or flow. Even if you haven’t noticed any puddles around your car, we recommend breaking out a flashlight and doing a quick search under the hood. The smallest of cracks in any part of the radiator could be the cause of the leak.
If you don’t find any leaks, but you’re still having problems, remove the radiator cap (if your car is a model that has one) and start the engine. Once it’s warmed up, you should be able to see whether it’s flowing steadily or not through the opening. If it isn’t, then you’re likely dealing with a failed water pump or thermostat, or an obstructed core.
Blocked core
Everyday driving and atmospheric influences like dirt and debris can build up and stick to the back end of the radiator, which in turn blocks airflow. This circulation pattern is what your radiator needs to properly remove coolant heat and protect the car’s engine. If the radiator grille is dirty, all you need to clean it off is a water hose. Or, you can get a specific radiator cleaning tool from your local auto shop.
Faulty radiator cap
It may sound like the cap just exists to seal the radiator, but it also helps maintain the right amount of pressure to regulate temperature, or serves as an escape valve when things heat up a little too quickly. When the engine is cool, remove the radiator cap and take a look at the seal for any damage. This could be the reason your engine has been overheating, in which case all you need to do is find the proper replacement for your car’s cooling system.
For more at-home fixes and troubleshooting tips, stay tuned to our handy Resource Center!