Before you look at various radiator issues, it helps to know the role of an air conditioning radiator. For you to keep your car’s internal engine temperature at manageable level, the coolant fluid flows around your engine block. If temperature exceeds a particular point, thermostat opens up, enabling coolant to flow in the radiator through the upper entry tube. The fan helps decrease the coolant’s temperature and the fluid goes back to the engine through lower exit tube. This process repeats in a constant manner, which keeps the temperature range of your engine around 190 to 210 degrees.
Your radiator’s daily grind is not an envious one. When compared to the windshield washer fluid system, your coolant system is definitely crucial to keeping your engine running. Given the heat swings, pressure buildup, temperature spikes, and more, it isn’t surprising that your radiator is subject to more pitfalls than each engine part.
A lot of things may go wrong, but is majority comprised of some issues. Below are some of the different problems with a radiator and the ways to avoid them:
Table of Contents
Leaks
Because of extreme pressure buildup, rubber hoses that connect your radiator to the engine will also fail. Moreover, the metal hose clamps may also loosen or rust. Whenever the hoses begin to fail, the leaks are not far behind. If the vehicle has a slightly and sticky sweet-smelling green fluid, it is an indication you have sprung the radiator leak. However, the hoses are not the only reason why there are leaks. Body rust on radiator is also another cause of system leak.
Rust
Never think of rust as something that affects the body of your car. Oxidation happens almost everywhere, particularly with the engine parts, which deal with liquid flow constantly. Rust radiators will overheat, which can cause major engine problems. Other than the exterior appearance, you may also check for the interior rust. Once you see a brown color in your coolant, it means that the radiator rusts from the inside. If there is enough rust on the radiator, expect to see some small holes. Such small holes would turn to bigger holes. The rust problem impacts automobile in harsher climates at high rate compare to some cars.
Overheating
Radiators do not just overheat for any reason. There are some underlying issues that contribute to this problem. Whenever the temperature gauge of your car engine spikes and you have entered the danger zone, make sure to check your coolant overflow tank.
Domino Effect
Because the thermostat, radiator, and water pump have an interconnected dynamic in your coolant system, it is a matter of time before failure in a component means failure for another. Take note, faulty water pump or thermostat will definitely impact the radiator’s performance.
Mineral Deposits or Gunk
Gunk is everywhere even in your radiator. The mineral deposits that accumulated in your radiator may cause components to fail over time. Due to this, the restricted coolant flow makes it challenging for your radiator to distribute the coolant.
