6 Symptoms Of a Faulty Radiator

Apr 7
02:00

2022

Emily Sara

Emily Sara

  • Share this article on Facebook
  • Share this article on Twitter
  • Share this article on Linkedin

Ignoring bad radiator symptoms might result in wasted time and money. Hence it is recommended to complete a radiator repair and replacement if required. An overheated engine is caused by a malfunctioning radiator. Failure to pay attention to these warning signals might result in engine failure or severe damage.

mediaimage

Faulty Radiator Symptoms: What Causes Them and How to Avoid Them

Your engine produces heat while it runs. As a result,6 Symptoms Of a Faulty Radiator  Articles the radiator aids in the cooling process. The coolant in a vehicle's engine absorbs the heat generated by the engine (engine fluid). The radiator pipe then transports this heated fluid to the radiator. It returns it to the engine once it has cooled.

This process repeats itself, allowing the engine to function at its ideal temperature and avoid overheating. However, if your radiator is damaged, this cooling cannot take place correctly.

Not only can identifying a faulty radiator save you money, but it will also save you time. Once the problem has been found, call your local technician, who will be able to do a comprehensive diagnostic check on your vehicle as well as radiator repair and replacement.

Symptoms Of a Faulty Radiator

Let's take a look at some of the most frequent symptoms of a faulty radiator:

Engine Overheating

Your engine utilises coolant to absorb heat. When the coolant becomes too hot to handle, the hose transports it to the radiator for cooling. Then return it to the engine. If your engine overheats, it's because the coolant isn't getting to where it needs to cool. A warning light or a fluctuating temperature gauge, depending on the model of your vehicle, may indicate that your engine is overheating. If you notice this, pull over to the side of the road and phone for assistance.

Coolant Leakage

Rust on the radiator is caused by the use of low-quality coolant and normal tap water on a regular basis. These rusts accumulate over time, clogging the radiator. As a result of the blocked radiator, the cooling fins develop small fractures or holes. When these cracks expand enough, your vehicle may begin to leak coolant onto the ground. Your coolant level lowers when this coolant level declines, enabling your engine to overheat. A radiator coolant top-up may be required in this scenario. Also, have a professional inspect and treat the source of the leak.

Blocked outside radiator fins

Radiators require enough airflow for efficient cooling. As a result, small fins tubes for conveying hot coolant are installed on the front of the radiator. As a result, as you drive, the fins assist in pushing hot air out. This lowers the temperature of the coolant before it returns to the engine. Dirt and other factors can sometimes obstruct these fins. When this happens, the airflow becomes obstructed, preventing the coolant from cooling properly. To clear any residue clogging the radiator's front, you'll need a spray nozzle and a garden hose in this case.

Radiator fins bent or damaged

Similar to debris trapped in front of the radiator, bent or damaged radiator fins can limit airflow. Radiator fins are made of a soft material. As a result, any moving item that collides with these fins may bend or damage them. Damage can also occur during the installation procedure or during cleaning the dirt off the fins. When a sufficient number of fins are destroyed, the radiator becomes clogged, resulting in engine overheating.

Passenger side heater not working

The heater on your passenger side is directly connected to the cooling system. When you turn on the heater, heated air passes through the heater's core and is blasted into the inside of your vehicle. If it's not operating properly, it might be due to a lack of hot air. This might be due to a broken radiator, a malfunctioning thermometer, or other problems.

Fluid discoloration

Normally, the fluid in a car has a gleaming orange, gold, green, or yellow colour. It can also be pink or red depending on the situation. It travels smoothly from your vehicle's radiator coolant to the coolant channels in the engine. A faulty radiator can pollute the coolant with dirt and sludge. The colour of the coolant changes as it becomes polluted. As a result, you may need to inspect the colour and quality of your coolant. Examine your coolant's overflow tank to do so. The coolant in a polluted system may look thicker than usual, making it harder to flow correctly. And when it can't flow properly, it clogs the radiator. If nothing is done at this point, your engine will overheat and stop working properly. In this case, having your radiator drained could be a smart idea.