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Constant moving parts, friction between components, and the heat from the combustion chamber all help to raise your engine’s temperature. To protect your engine from overheating, the heat from the engine is removed by a liquid coolant. This coolant flows into the radiator where the heat is expelled into the outside air. Your radiator can suffer wear, and without maintenance, it can fail. As your Acura dealer, we’d like you to know the signs you may need a radiator repair.
3 Common Signs That You Need a Radiator Repair at Your Acura Dealer
Blocked Exterior Fins
Your radiator is placed behind the radiator grille as that allows it to easily receive the maximum possible airflow. The thin horizontal tubes in the radiator carry the hot coolant into the radiator for cooling. The airflow through the grille blows over the tubes as your car moves and reduces the coolant temperature. These fins are delicate and they can become blocked or damaged which can damage your radiator.
Air blowing through the radiator grille contains debris and dirt which can clog the outside of the tubes and reduce their cooling ability. This is an easy fix, as you can simply clean the fins with a garden hose. The dirt and debris, because it is moving at speed, can also damage the tubes, and reduce or block coolant flow. When enough tubes are damaged, the hot coolant cannot move through the radiator, and your engine temperature will rise.
Coolant Leak
Your radiator operates in a highly-pressurized and very hot environment. The coolant absorbs heat from your engine, and the liquid is pumped into the radiator when it is cooled and then recycled to start the process again. The heat and pressure in the system can, unfortunately, cause damage to the radiator and its components.
The rubber hoses that connect to your radiator can also suffer damage. They are strongly made, but they can wear and over time the rubber becomes brittle and leaks can develop. The clamps that attach to the hoses can also wear and loosen. Coolant is yellow, green, or pink and if you find a pool of any of these colors under your car, you have a coolant leak.
Engine Temperature Too High
It’s normal for your engine temperature to rise while your car is moving, and your cooling system will intervene to reduce the temperature. If you notice that your temperature gauge is consistently rising, this is a cause for concern. A rising engine temperature is a sign that there is a problem with your cooling system. Your radiator may be damaged, you may have a coolant leak, or there may be a blockage in the cooling system.
Most radiator problems can be fixed if they are investigated and repaired quickly. If you have a problem with your radiator, call us ASAP at Ed Martin Acura.
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