Most drivers have heard that keeping the radiator in good condition is vital for the overall operation of their car. But they may not understand why! You know that the engine produces extreme heat and if you were to lift the hood of your car, you can definitely feel that heat. The main job of the radiator is to keep the engine from overheating. The coolant in the radiator absorbs the heat as it circulates through the engine and then returns to the radiator to be cooled off.
With the extreme temperatures in the final days of summer in many parts of the country, the radiator has had to work extra hard to keep the engine cooled. So it is definitely time to schedule a radiator service to make sure you are ready for the cold temperatures of winter ahead. You want to make sure that the radiator is in good condition, with no leaks, and that the coolant/antifreeze mixture is at the correct level.
So what happens when the radiator goes bad? Any of the problems listed below can cause damage to the engine and transmission:
- Overheating Engine – The temperature gauge on the dash panel may start rising if there isn’t a sufficient flow of coolant to the engine.
- Leaking coolant – Cracks in the radiator unit (even tiny ones) will allow coolant to leak out.
- Cracked hoses – The connecting hoses from the radiator to the engine can crack, allowing coolant to leak.
- Thermostat Failure – The flow of coolant to the engine is controlled by the radiator’s thermostat. If it isn’t working properly, it won’t know how much coolant is needed to cool the engine and you may see steam coming from the radiator.
- A smoking muffler – If the engine overheats on a continual basis, the head gasket may have been damaged resulting in excess smoke coming from the muffler.
A Word of Advice: The radiator serves as the major component of the cooling (and heating) system. Thus, regular radiator service is crucial for the smooth operation of your vehicle!
Wondering what happens when the radiator goes 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.
Most drivers have heard that keeping the radiator in good condition is vital for the overall operation of their car. But they may not understand why! You know that the engine produces extreme heat and if you were to lift the hood of your car, you can definitely feel that heat. The main job of the radiator is to keep the engine from overheating. The coolant in the radiator absorbs the heat as it circulates through the engine and then returns to the radiator to be cooled off.
With the extreme temperatures in the final days of summer in many parts of the country, the radiator has had to work extra hard to keep the engine cooled. So it is definitely time to schedule a radiator service to make sure you are ready for the cold temperatures of winter ahead. You want to make sure that the radiator is in good condition, with no leaks, and that the coolant/antifreeze mixture is at the correct level.
So what happens when the radiator goes bad? Any of the problems listed below can cause damage to the engine and transmission:
- Overheating Engine – The temperature gauge on the dash panel may start rising if there isn’t a sufficient flow of coolant to the engine.
- Leaking coolant – Cracks in the radiator unit (even tiny ones) will allow coolant to leak out.
- Cracked hoses – The connecting hoses from the radiator to the engine can crack, allowing coolant to leak.
- Thermostat Failure – The flow of coolant to the engine is controlled by the radiator’s thermostat. If it isn’t working properly, it won’t know how much coolant is needed to cool the engine and you may see steam coming from the radiator.
- A smoking muffler – If the engine overheats on a continual basis, the head gasket may have been damaged resulting in excess smoke coming from the muffler.
A Word of Advice: The radiator serves as the major component of the cooling (and heating) system. Thus, regular radiator service is crucial for the smooth operation of your vehicle!
Wondering what happens when the radiator goes 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.
