Spring has arrived so it’s time to think about the condition of your vehicle after surviving harsh winter conditions. An important component to remember when “spring cleaning” your vehicle is the radiator! You don’t want to get stranded somewhere on a hot summer day with an overheating engine looking for an emergency radiator repair.
If you’re anxious about what are the signs of a bad radiator, here are three major signs to watch out for:
- Leaking. If you notice a puddle of coolant (it could be green, pink, or orange) where you park or notice a sweet smell, it is possible the radiator unit or a hose has developed a leak. As soon as possible, head to your auto shop to have them inspected.
- Overheating. If the coolant level drops too low and your engine starts to overheat, the temperature gauge will start rising and a warning light will come on. Don’t keep driving but pull over as soon as you safely can and call a tow truck. Catching the problem early may be taken care of with a relatively inexpensive radiator repair. If you ignore the problem, it will only get bigger and more costly, and could possibly damage your engine as well.
- Sludge. When the radiator starts to go bad, contamination can turn the coolant into a dark rusty or oil color, resulting in a buildup of sludge if not cleaned out. This allows the engine to overheat, and cause extensive damage to the engine and transmission.
Please remember that radiator repair should be performed by a certified mechanic. They will inspect the fluid level, signs of corrosion and oxidation, make sure the thermostat and fans are working properly, check the belts and hoses for cracks or leaks, and look for a build-up of sludge.
Worried about what are the signs of a bad radiator? Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Gary’s Quality Automotive for more information about radiator repair and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE, and Doniphan, NE.
Spring has arrived so it’s time to think about the condition of your vehicle after surviving harsh winter conditions. An important component to remember when “spring cleaning” your vehicle is the radiator! You don’t want to get stranded somewhere on a hot summer day with an overheating engine looking for an emergency radiator repair.
If you’re anxious about what are the signs of a bad radiator, here are three major signs to watch out for:
- Leaking. If you notice a puddle of coolant (it could be green, pink, or orange) where you park or notice a sweet smell, it is possible the radiator unit or a hose has developed a leak. As soon as possible, head to your auto shop to have them inspected.
- Overheating. If the coolant level drops too low and your engine starts to overheat, the temperature gauge will start rising and a warning light will come on. Don’t keep driving but pull over as soon as you safely can and call a tow truck. Catching the problem early may be taken care of with a relatively inexpensive radiator repair. If you ignore the problem, it will only get bigger and more costly, and could possibly damage your engine as well.
- Sludge. When the radiator starts to go bad, contamination can turn the coolant into a dark rusty or oil color, resulting in a buildup of sludge if not cleaned out. This allows the engine to overheat, and cause extensive damage to the engine and transmission.
Please remember that radiator repair should be performed by a certified mechanic. They will inspect the fluid level, signs of corrosion and oxidation, make sure the thermostat and fans are working properly, check the belts and hoses for cracks or leaks, and look for a build-up of sludge.
Worried about what are the signs of a bad radiator? Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Gary’s Quality Automotive for more information about radiator repair and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE, and Doniphan, NE.
