Your car may be overheating because your radiator needs to be replaced. The radiator generally lasts approximately 10 years. After this time, it is wise to install a new radiator to ensure the coolant’s temperature is reduced after each engine circulation. This is the primary responsibility of the radiator.
You can extend the life of the radiator by having it serviced every 30,000 miles. If your automobile is overdue for this service, or the radiator is over 10 years old, you may start to have problems with your vehicle overheating every time that you drive it. Let’s talk more about this below.
A Clogged Radiator
The coolant is stored in the radiator until it is released by the thermostat to the water pump so it can be circulated through the engine. The radiator is made of aluminum that is in constant contact with the liquid coolant. Consequently, this can corrode the inside of the radiator and clog it. If this happens, the coolant may not be circulated out of the radiator to flow through the engine.
A Leaking Radiator
In addition to clogging the radiator, the coolant can also eat through the aluminum and cause the radiator to leak. As the coolant corrodes the bottom of the radiator, rust will start to feast off of the aluminum. Consequently, you may end up with a low level of coolant circulating through the engine because it is leaking out of the bottom of the radiator onto your garage floor.
Damaged Radiator Fins
As we mentioned above, the radiator cools off the coolant. It does this by using fins that create openings on the side of the radiator through which air flows. The radiator utilizes the outside air that flows through the grille to reduce the coolant’s temperature to prevent it from overheating. If the fins get damaged or clogged, you will not have any airflow over the coolant.
Damaged Radiator Fan
When you stop your automobile, the radiator fan turns on to keep air circulating over the coolant. When you start up again, such as when a red light turns green, the fan turns off because the airflow into the radiator is restored. Your engine may overheat if the radiator fan is damaged. It can be damaged by road debris or there may be an electrical system problem with your automobile.
We are here to help. Schedule a service appointment with us today so we can inspect your radiator and cooling system and make any necessary repairs to prevent your vehicle from overheating.