The radiator is a critical component of your vehicle's cooling system. It is a heat exchanger designed to cool hot coolant from the engine bay. As such, a faulty radiator will cause the engine to overheat. In the excerpt below, you will learn some of the problems the radiator might develop, their diagnosis and repair.

Radiator Leaks

Radiator leaks occur when the radiator gets punctured due to underneath or frontal damage. Old radiators may be prone to cracks caused by rust. In other cases, the radiator hoses will leak due to loose connections. Leaks are easy to detect since you will observe coolant dripping under your vehicle. Loose hoses can be adjusted using pliers. Cracks and holes should be repaired by a skilled mechanic.

Radiator Clogs

If you drive through dusty terrain, your radiator might clog due to the accumulation of dirt. Old coolant will create sediment and rust along the radiator fins. Clean your clogged radiator using heavy-duty radiator flush.

Faulty Thermostat

The thermostat is a device that regulates the flow of coolant inside the radiator. It allows the engine to achieve optimum temperatures within a short period by restricting the flow of coolant when the engine is cold. A faulty thermostat may fail to release coolant, therefore, causing the engine to overheat. Thermostats are cheap and easy to replace.

Air In The Cooling System

Air bubbles in the cooling system will affect the functionality of the cooling system. If you detect an erratic rise and drop in your engine temperatures, the cooling system could have air. Your mechanic will bleed the cooling system to get rid of the air bubbles.  

Faulty Fans

The fans direct cold air through the radiator to cool the hot coolant from the engine. The fan is temperature-controlled. As such, it will only work when the engine attains a specific temperature. A faulty fan will disrupt the engine's cooling mechanism; hence, you may experience overheating.

As a rule, you must keep an eye on the temperature gauge as you drive. If the vehicle is overheating, stop and give the engine some time to cool. Inspect the cooling system for leaks. A hissing sound from the radiator cap indicates a loose or worn out cap. If the radiator does not have any coolant, you could be dealing with a faulty thermostat. Driving a vehicle with an overheating engine could cause severe problems such as damaged gaskets and wrapped cylinders. Preferably, tow the car to the nearest garage for repairs.

Common radiator problems include leaks, clogs, air in the cooling system, faulty thermostats or malfunctioning fans. With the above tips, you should have an easy problem diagnosing these problems and getting the needed car radiator repair.