Worried About What Causes a Radiator to go Bad?
You may be worried about your vehicle surviving the hot temperatures of summer that are here to stay a while. You understand that the primary job of the radiator is to keep the engine from overheating by circulating coolant through the engine to absorb the heat, and then back to the radiator to be cooled off. Because the radiator plays such a major role in the cooling system, it is important that the right radiator service is performed fairly frequently.
But you may be wondering what causes a radiator to go bad? How much heat can it take? And what kind of radiator service is needed? These are all helpful questions to ask your auto mechanic.
A properly maintained radiator should last for the life of a vehicle. There are some circumstances however where you may need to replace the radiator sooner than that to keep your car running safely. Here are some issues that could cause extensive damage to the radiator, resulting in a costly replacement:
- Cracked or damaged hose will allow coolant to leak out of the radiator, resulting in overheating of the engine and radiator.
- If metal bits and other debris builds up in the radiator, it will become clogged, preventing the flow of coolant through the engine.
- Electrical current caused by modifying or adding electrical aftermarket accessories.
- Low annual mileage so that coolant loses its effectiveness when just sitting and not circulating.
- The radiator can become corroded from frequent exposure to salt from the ocean or the roads.
- The radiator is made from aluminium and plastic instead of copper and brass.
Regular radiator service will ensure that any of the issues above that cause problems can be taken care of before extensive damage occurs and you find yourself paying for a costly radiator repair. Damaged hoses or other parts of the cooling system can be replaced promptly if they show signs of wear and also make sure that the coolant is at the correct level.
Have more questions about what causes a radiator to go bad? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive for more information about radiator service and to schedule an appointment. Since 1997, our auto shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN, and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN..
You may be worried about your vehicle surviving the hot temperatures of summer that are here to stay a while. You understand that the primary job of the radiator is to keep the engine from overheating by circulating coolant through the engine to absorb the heat, and then back to the radiator to be cooled off. Because the radiator plays such a major role in the cooling system, it is important that the right radiator service is performed fairly frequently.
But you may be wondering what causes a radiator to go bad? How much heat can it take? And what kind of radiator service is needed? These are all helpful questions to ask your auto mechanic.
A properly maintained radiator should last for the life of a vehicle. There are some circumstances however where you may need to replace the radiator sooner than that to keep your car running safely. Here are some issues that could cause extensive damage to the radiator, resulting in a costly replacement:
- Cracked or damaged hose will allow coolant to leak out of the radiator, resulting in overheating of the engine and radiator.
- If metal bits and other debris builds up in the radiator, it will become clogged, preventing the flow of coolant through the engine.
- Electrical current caused by modifying or adding electrical aftermarket accessories.
- Low annual mileage so that coolant loses its effectiveness when just sitting and not circulating.
- The radiator can become corroded from frequent exposure to salt from the ocean or the roads.
- The radiator is made from aluminium and plastic instead of copper and brass.
Regular radiator service will ensure that any of the issues above that cause problems can be taken care of before extensive damage occurs and you find yourself paying for a costly radiator repair. Damaged hoses or other parts of the cooling system can be replaced promptly if they show signs of wear and also make sure that the coolant is at the correct level.
Have more questions about what causes a radiator to go bad? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive for more information about radiator service and to schedule an appointment. Since 1997, our auto shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN, and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN..
