In your living room, a radiator is something that keeps you warm. But in your car, the radiator has the opposite effect. It cools down the coolant which constantly flows through your engine, keeping it from overheating. A malfunctioning car radiator can quickly lead to catastrophic engine problems, so if you notice any of the following signs of trouble, visit your local Kia dealer for radiator repair as soon as possible.
Your Engine’s Overheating
An overheating engine will rapidly break down, sometimes
irreparably. Never ignore indications of overheating, which might be caused by
a faulty radiator.
The temperature gauge on your instrument panel will usually be the first sign
of overheating. If you see the dial suddenly rising, pull over, allow your
engine to cool down, and call a mechanic for advice. Other signs of an
overheating engine include loud ticking noises from the engine, a smell of
something burning, and a hood that’s hot to touch.
Your Coolant’s Leaking
Coolant rarely leaks but when it does, the source is often
one of the joins of the coolant hose to the radiator. If your radiator’s
leaking coolant, you’ll probably notice a brightly colored, sweet-smelling
liquid under your car when you pull away from parking.
You can check your coolant by popping the hood and checking the fluid level in
the coolant reservoir. You might also be able to detect the source of the leak
by running your fingers over the radiator and hoses. Of course, wait until the
engine is cold before you do this. Any coolant leak will most likely need a
technician to fix it properly.
Your Coolant’s Contaminated
Fresh, clean coolant should be red, green, blue, or yellow
in hue. If your coolant has lost its color, looks rusty, has things floating in
it, or has thickened into a sludge, then you might have a buildup of
contaminants inside your radiator. To fix this, the old coolant will need to be
flushed out, and the radiator’s pan will need to be removed and cleaned.
Your Radiator’s Rusting
Just like any metal components of your engine, radiators are
susceptible to rust in cold, wet, or humid conditions. While examining your
radiator, keep an eye out for signs of brownish rust. If you check regularly,
you’ll usually catch the first signs of rust and be able to scrub it away with
a proper cleaning solution.
But if rust is allowed to develop over time it can seriously corrode your
radiator, leading to leaks or other problems. In this case, you’ll most likely
need a new radiator.
How a Kia Dealer Examines Your Radiator
A technician will inspect your entire cooling system, radiator included. After checking your coolant levels, they’ll search each part and hose for signs of malfunction, corrosion, or leaks. They’ll also run pressure tests on the thermostat, fan, radiator cap, and other components. If this reveals any problems, they’ll repair or replace the faulty part.
Have your radiator inspected, repaired, or replaced today by certified technicians at Crain Kia of Bentonville. We’re a family-owned dealership that’s been dedicated to providing outstanding value and service to our customers since 1966.
Image via Kia.
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