The radiator prevents the coolant from overheating by cooling it down after it has circulated through the engine. It also stores the coolant until the engine needs it. There will come a point after about 8 to 10 years of service when the radiator needs to be replaced. Let’s talk about the signs that the radiator is clogged, rusted, or leaking and it is time for a new one.
Rusty Brown Coolant
One of the things about a rusted radiator is it rarely rusts on the outside. As such, your radiator may be rusted and you won’t know about it. The radiator rusts on the inside because the liquid coolant comes in contact with the aluminum out of which the radiator is made. Unfortunately, this corrosion can eat through the radiator and cause it to leak.
You may see the rust in the coolant if it has turned a rusty brown color. If your radiator is old, it is a good idea to check the coolant on a regular basis to make sure it has not turned orange or brown. Do this only when the engine is cold. Checking the coolant when the engine is hot could leave you with severe burns as the scorching coolant may blow out of the radiator.
Leaking Coolant
As we mentioned above, the rusted radiator can start to leave coolant on the garage floor. This will, naturally, lower the level of coolant that is circulating through the engine. If you back out of the garage and see spots for puddles on the floor, turn off the engine right away before it has a chance to get hot and check the coolant level.
Overheating Engine
Unfortunately, a low level of coolant circulating through the engine is going to cause it to overheat. In addition, as we mentioned above, the radiator can get clogged by corrosion. This, too, will cause the engine to overheat as will clogged radiator hoses.
Visible Damage
There may also be visible damage that is a sign that the radiator needs to be replaced. For example, if the radiator fins are dented or broken, the radiator needs to be replaced. You may also see visible damage on the radiator if a piece of road debris managed to get through the grille and dent it.
If you have not had your cooling system service in 30,000 miles, call us to schedule an appointment. It is crucial to have the system serviced every 30,000 miles to make sure the radiator is healthy and to replace the engine coolant.
