Wondering what are the Signs of a Bad Radiator?

It’s the middle of summer and most people have either been on a summer road trip or are getting ready to head down the road.  If you have not already taken care of servicing your radiator and cooling system, it’s not too late.  It is wise to know the signs of a bad radiator so that you are not left stranded on the side of the road with an overheating engine, looking for a mechanic that can replace radiator.

Need to know what are the signs of a bad radiator?  Here are three common issues to watch for: 

• A hot engine – Overheating will occur when the coolant cannot get to where it needs to go to cool the engine.  The hoses could be clogged, or the level of coolant is too low.  If this is happening, there should be a warning light on the dashboard, or the temperature gauge will rise to the hot zone.  Get your car off the road immediately to prevent damaging your engine.
• Leaking coolant – If there is a cracked hose, or the radiator is corroded with rust, you may notice the smell of antifreeze or a tell-tale puddle on the garage floor.  You may want to replace radiator at this point.
• A smoking car – If there is smoke coming from under the hood, it may simply be coolant that has leaked onto the motor and is being burnt off. However, smoke coming from the muffler could mean that the head gasket has been damaged by the engine overheating.

Routine radiator inspections are important.  Ask your mechanic to inspect the hoses and radiator unit for leaking and to make sure the antifreeze/water mixture is still effective.  A flush of the cooling system may be suggested, or the coolant level may simply need to be topped off.