The radiator’s job is to remove excess heat from your engine. Combustion and hundreds of moving parts generate immense quantities of heat. This must be removed to prevent your engine from overheating. In time, the heat and pressure can damage the radiator. As your Chevy dealer, we’d like you to know a few signs that you need to visit us for a radiator repair.
Signs You Need a Radiator Repair at Your Chevy Dealer
Coolant Leak
Liquid coolant is continually pumped through your engine. As the coolant flows over hot components, it absorbs the radiating heat and transports it to the radiator. The coolant enters rows of thin aluminum tubes in the radiator, and the heat is removed as cool air passes over the tubes. Once the heat is removed, the coolant circulates through the engine again.
Coolant is brightly colored to easily distinguish it from other engine fluids. If you spot pink, orange, blue, or yellow fluid underneath your car, you have a coolant leak. A coolant leak will very quickly cause your engine to overheat. We’ll investigate the cooling system to find the source of the leak, then we’ll permanently seal the hole.
Rusted Radiator
Your radiator is made from metal and plastic. Like almost all metal, the radiator is susceptible to rust. If rust forms on your radiator, it will quickly eat through the metal and your radiator will fail. If your radiator fails, your engine will rapidly start to overheat. Rust can only form due to a water leak inside the engine, as the radiator is protected against external liquid damage by the hood and the radiator grille.
Coolant is a 50/50 mixture of water and antifreeze, and it’s the only water source in your engine. If your radiator shows signs of rust, you must also have a coolant leak. We can’t fix a rusting radiator, but we can replace it. We’ll also trace and repair the coolant leak.
Damaged Water Pump
The water pumps coolant, not water. When your engine temperature reaches a pre-set level, coolant is released into the engine. The pump will start up and move the coolant through the engine at high speed. The pump’s speed will vary depending on the engine temperature. When you accelerate, for example, the engine produces more heat, so the pump will speed up in response to enable the coolant to remove the heat faster.
A failed water pump can cause serious engine problems. If the pump doesn’t work, the coolant won’t move through your engine, and the temperature will go up. If the temperature gauge on your dash is rising, your pump might have failed. We’ll examine the pump and install a new one if required.
Overheating can lead to serious and even permanent engine damage. Call our service department ASAP at Cheraw Chevrolet.
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