Even though our days are still warm, it’s time to get your vehicle ready for winter. A vital part that drivers often overlook in winter is the radiator. When it’s freezing outside, the coolant in the radiator expands and contracts, adding stress to the radiator. If cracks and leaks in the radiator go undetected, the end result could be damage to the transmission.
As strange as it sounds, an engine can overheat even during freezing temperatures. Don’t wait for this to happen before thinking about scheduling a radiator repair. Damage to the radiator can cause a ripple effect throughout the car and cause the car to stop running altogether. What could have been a minor repair to the radiator can turn into a major transmission job!
So how can you tell if you have a bad radiator?
- Engine Overheats – The flow of coolant could be restricted due to air inside the cooling system, clogged hoses, or too low of coolant level.
- Leaking Radiator – The constant freezing and expanding of fluid could cause cracks in the radiator unit.
- Hose Leak – A hose from the radiator to the engine allows the coolant to flow and cool off the engine. Over time, these hoses (and clamps) wear our so have them inspected frequently.
- Thermostat Failure – The thermostat regulates the amount of coolant that is recirculated and ensures that the coolant in the engine stays within a specific temperature range regardless of the outside temperature. If the thermostat fails, there will be no flow of coolant and the engine will overheat.
- A Smoking Muffler – Actual smoke coming from the muffler could mean that the head gasket has been damaged from an overheating engine.
Before winter arrives in full force make sure the antifreeze/water mixture in your radiator is still effective. Your mechanic may recommend to flush the cooling system, or simply top it off.
Wondering how can you tell if you have a bad radiator? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about radiator repair and to schedule an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.
Even though our days are still warm, it’s time to get your vehicle ready for winter. A vital part that drivers often overlook in winter is the radiator. When it’s freezing outside, the coolant in the radiator expands and contracts, adding stress to the radiator. If cracks and leaks in the radiator go undetected, the end result could be damage to the transmission.
As strange as it sounds, an engine can overheat even during freezing temperatures. Don’t wait for this to happen before thinking about scheduling a radiator repair. Damage to the radiator can cause a ripple effect throughout the car and cause the car to stop running altogether. What could have been a minor repair to the radiator can turn into a major transmission job!
So how can you tell if you have a bad radiator?
- Engine Overheats – The flow of coolant could be restricted due to air inside the cooling system, clogged hoses, or too low of coolant level.
- Leaking Radiator – The constant freezing and expanding of fluid could cause cracks in the radiator unit.
- Hose Leak – A hose from the radiator to the engine allows the coolant to flow and cool off the engine. Over time, these hoses (and clamps) wear our so have them inspected frequently.
- Thermostat Failure – The thermostat regulates the amount of coolant that is recirculated and ensures that the coolant in the engine stays within a specific temperature range regardless of the outside temperature. If the thermostat fails, there will be no flow of coolant and the engine will overheat.
- A Smoking Muffler – Actual smoke coming from the muffler could mean that the head gasket has been damaged from an overheating engine.
Before winter arrives in full force make sure the antifreeze/water mixture in your radiator is still effective. Your mechanic may recommend to flush the cooling system, or simply top it off.
Wondering how can you tell if you have a bad radiator? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about radiator repair and to schedule an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.
