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The radiator is an essential part of any car, forming an integral part of the cooling system – its function is to ensure that the engine is running at an optimum temperature. If there is a fault in the radiator or the cooling system, it could mean that the engine is at the risk of overheating.
What Is The Radiator and What Does It Do?
The radiator is a component of the engine’s cooling system – it is located at the front of the car and attached to a series of hoses and hose connectors. Its main function is to disperse a mixture of antifreeze and coolant, whilst taking in cool air that it passes to the rest of the engine. Car engines produce a lot of heat due to the nature of the combustion process, where fuel is converted into energy; during this process, spark plugs inside the cylinders ignite the fuel in controlled explosions producing power and propelling the vehicle forwards. The explosions produce intense heat and would quickly cause the engine to overheat without the cooling system to ensure that it remains at the correct operating temperature.
How To Tell If There Is a Leak In The Cooling System?
A Leak Under The Car
A patch of fluid leaking under the car could be a sign of a leaking cooling system. If the leak is caused by the cooling system, the colour of the fluid under the car could be one of many colours, including green, pink, blue, yellow or red.
Leaking engine oil has a distinctly different appearance, it tends to be dark and thicker, typically dark brown or black, sometimes with a tinge of yellow/brown and it often has an iridescent sheen on the surface.
A colourless watery spill may be due to condensation from the compressor on the air conditioning.
Overheating Engine
A dashboard warning light will alert the driver to overheating – this should not be ignored.
Hissing Sounds Or Steam
A hissing noise from the radiator is a sign that coolant is leaking or that the radiator is malfunctioning in some shape or form.
Steam coming out from under the bonnet is also another indication that there is a problem with the cooling system.
A Drop In Coolant Level
Coolant levels should remain the same, if the level drops suddenly, it is a sign that there is a leak.
Causes Of Leaks
Corrosion
This is one of the main causes of issues within the cooling system. During use, the radiator, its hoses, and connectors all collect sediment and debris, which over time can lead to damage.
Cracks
Radiator hoses are subject to wear and tear over time and may become cracked or damaged by the impact of any sudden knocks or jolts.
A Faulty Thermostat
If the thermostat stays in a closed position, it could potentially prevent coolant from flowing into the engine, causing significant damage to the engine.
Overheating
Sometimes the coolant itself is not suitable for the engine and can cause overheating.
Gasket Leak
The gasket that lies between the cylinder and the engine head serves to prevent any fluid such as coolant, engine oil or fuel from leaking into the cylinders.
Lack Of Anti-freeze
Anti-freeze must be added to the coolant at the correct ratio to prevent any damage during cold weather.
Radiator Maintenance
- Ensure that coolant levels are checked regularly, when doing this it is important that the engine is switched off and has had time to cool down.
- The radiator should be cleaned out at intervals – these will be stated in the manual.
- The hoses and attachments should be inspected for signs of leaks or corrosion.
- During a service, the cooling system will be thoroughly inspected. If the coolant needs to be replaced, then the cooling system should be flushed out.
Repairs
Cooling system leaks will need to be identified by a trained mechanic using specialist equipment such as a cooling system pressure tester. It will then be repaired either by using a repair sealant system – this is typically for small leaks.
If, however, the damage is more severe, it will need to be fully drained down and replaced by a qualified technician.
Our Services
Longmynd MOT and Car Servicing Centre is an independently owned, family organisation with years of experience delivering the best in car servicing, general maintenance, and repairs. We are also Bosch accredited car service centre; this means we meet the highest standards possible within the automotive industry. For more information on any of our services, including issues with the cooling system, get in touch today.