To avoid problems with your car, SUV, or truck’s cooling system, have the system serviced every 30,000 miles. This keeps the system in excellent shape and allows us to check for minor damage that can be repaired before it becomes major damage. If you avoid the factory-scheduled cooling system services, you may have one or more of the following cooling system problems.
Leaking Coolant
An old and unmaintained cooling system can start to leak and most likely will. Coolant can leak out of the radiator hoses once they are too old and crack. Coolant can also leak out of the radiator and its overflow reservoir. Worn seals and gaskets are another place from where coolant can leak.
Clogged Cooling System
Your cooling system can also clog eventually if it isn’t maintained. Dirt and sediment can build up inside the cooling system and cause unnecessary clogs that will block coolant flow. As a consequence, the engine will start to run hotter than it normally does because it is coolant-starved.
Clogged Radiator Fins
Another thing that can clog in an unmaintained cooling system is the radiator fins. These are inlets built into the radiator that allow outside air to flow over the hot coolant to reduce its temperature. The radiator is located right behind the grille, so dirt flows through the slats and builds up on the fins.
Radiator Fan Malfunction
One common cooling system problem that is easy to fix is a malfunctioning radiator fan. The fan also cools down the coolant once it has circulated through the engine. You will hear the fan turn on and off while you are driving your vehicle. It can be replaced relatively easily if it goes bad.
Dead Water Pump
The cooling system relies on the water pump to pump the coolant through the engine. The water pump will last a very long time before it dies. This being said, if your car is 10 years old or older, you may need a new water pump before you know it. The engine will overheat if the water pump is bad.
Dead Thermostat
The engine will also overheat if the thermostat is bad, which can happen after 10 years, as well. The thermostat tracks the engine’s temperature so it can open a valve to release the coolant once the engine needs it. If it dies, you will never have coolant released into the engine.
This, naturally, will overheat your automobile’s engine right away. Call us to schedule an appointment for your vehicle if it is overdue for a cooling system service.