What produces heat in a car? Apart from combustion in the engine, its fast-moving parts are also responsible for producing heat. If your vehicle doesn’t provide enough cooling, it can overheat and can even catch fire. It is where the importance of a radiator is observed. A radiator in the car fights against heat and all the heat-producing elements. It is considered a defense against the high temperature of the engine so that the car cools itself and doesn’t overheat.
A radiator may be termed as a heat exchanger in the car. It comprises a coolant that is pumped around the engine. The coolant then sucks up the heat energy, thereby keeping your engine cool. This coolant not only cools in the internal body of the car but its external frame as well.
With time, the radiator of the car, too, faces ablation. The situation calls for immediate repair. Here are the common problems with radiator and how you can fix them:
Overheating:
When you experience that your car is overheating now and then, know that there is some problem with the radiator. The most common sign of overheating is when steam starts to come out from the engine. It is a common sight in the summer season, and therefore, you must keep on checking your radiator’s condition now and then.
The overheating of the car also signals a corroded radiator. You can fix this problem by looking at radiator parts and finding the accumulation of rust, build-ups, or other deposits. This situation calls for replacing the coolant. If that doesn’t work, take your car to a mechanic and inspect the problem.
Leaking coolant:
A leaking coolant is a widespread problem with many vehicles. The coolant in your radiator may leak because of a clogged radiator. Moreover, many people use low-quality coolant or even tap water which makes this liquid drip all over the engine.
Check if there are any cracks or leaks in the radiator. On account of finding the leaks, seal them properly. A local mechanic can help you with fixing this problem. A pressure test is usually performed to determine a broken radiator.
Damaged radiator fins:
A bent or damaged fin of your car’s radiator can prevent the proper flow of the air. An improper flow in the coolant may intrude with the proper cooling of the engine. It may create many problems with the other parts of the coolant as well.
The bending of radiator fins usually happens while cleaning the car’s radiator. Always take care of the fins while cleaning. You can use duckbill pliers to fix out the problematic areas. If the damage is beyond repair, it’s time to replace your radiator with a new one.
Passenger area heater issue:
If your car’s engine is running properly, but you don’t see the heat coming out of the rear heating vents, the problem could be a clogged radiator. Passenger area heater problems are caused when the heater core has a leak or is clogged.
You can inspect the thermostat to ensure that there isn’t a core problem. If the thermostat is operating well, take professional help to check the radiator.
Takeaway:
Other common problems that you may experience with your radiator include collapsed radiator hose, blocked exterior radiator fins, sludge build-up in the radiator, etc. Proper servicing of your car is the finest way to keep all these problems away. Always maintain your car’s radiator. Keep changing the radiator’s coolant from time to time. Lastly, do not cut corners while buying the coolant for your radiator. Take care of all these problems and try to fix them yourself. If not, professional help is always recommended.
