Radiator

You have probably heard the term radiator thrown around when your vehicle’s maintenance schedule is being discussed. But, what is a radiator and why do you need to keep it in good health? The rest of this page gives you the essential information. You may also want to contact Ethan’s Honest Auto with any other questions. Radiator maintenance and repair can seem daunting. Our experts are here to simplify the process for you.  

The radiator is a heat exchanger. Its job is to cool your engine, and it works in combination with the engine coolant. Without a working radiator, your engine will overheat and become damaged. The radiator cools the engine by taking away the heat from the coolant. The coolant is pumped through the engine where it is heated. It is then pushed through the radiator where the heat is removed and circulated via a fan. 

Understanding how the radiator works is important, but it is more crucial to remember that the radiator keeps your engine cool. If you suspect any radiator problems, you will want to bring your vehicle into Ethan’s Honest Auto. We will assess any issues or damage and give you a fair quote for the work you need to be done. You can trust us, the honest is right there in our name. 

How do I know if I need my radiator serviced? 

You may be wondering how to tell if you have radiator problems. Unless you look under the hood of your vehicle often, it may be hard to catch the early warning signs of a radiator problem. However, often the problem will get to the point where it can no longer be ignored. 

There are a few telltale signs of a radiator problem. These are: 

• Leaking or low coolant: If you see a brightly colored liquid on the ground under your vehicle, your coolant is likely leaking. You can also check the radiator or watch for the low coolant light on your dashboard. If the coolant levels are low, there is a radiator problem that needs to be addressed. 

• Discolored coolant: Coolant is either yellow, green, or red. If it looks oily or has black or brown throughout it, there is a problem with your radiator. You want your coolant to be bright and uniform in color. 

• An overheating vehicle: Probably the most recognizable sign that you have a radiator issue is an overheating vehicle. You know that your engine is overheating if the hood is hot, there is a ticking noise, smoke or steam, and/or engine thumping. An overheated engine does not work as efficiently, so there will be a decrease in engine power as well. 

What goes into radiator repair? 

Radiators can break in many ways. There are a few different repairs that may be needed to completely fix the issue. The specialists at Ethan’s Honest Auto will check for the following common problems. We will let you know exactly what radiator parts have failed and what is needed to repair them. 

• Not working thermostat.
• Radiator and radiator hose leaks
• Failed water pump
• Failed fan
• Air in the radiator system
• Obstructions

Why is radiator maintenance and repair important?  

Without a working radiator, the probability of engine damage due to overheating increases. There are air-cooled engines, but if yours is not one of these, it can be dangerous to run the car for more than a few minutes without a radiator.  

If there is a problem with the radiator or coolant and your vehicle overheats, you can cause a variety of damage. The biggest problem that can occur because of an overheated engine is with the head gasket. If your head gasket cracks, that can be a very expensive repair or even replacement. Don’t cost yourself thousands of dollars, call Ethan’s Honest Auto today to have your radiator checked out.