Wondering How Often Do Radiators Need To Be Replaced?

A vital part of our vehicle that we often overlook is the radiator. Your radiator was stressed during winter’s cold temperatures as the coolant froze, expanded, thawed, and then froze again.  This can lead to cracks and leaks, resulting in damage to the transmission.   Before heading out on a summer road trip, schedule a vehicle checkup and avoid an emergency radiator repair in a strange town.  

Your radiator is working any time the engine is running. This is because coolant constantly cycles through to prevent overheating. It’s still technically on the job even when the engine is off, too, as it holds a significant amount of the coolant in the engine.  Without a working radiator, your engine would quickly overheat, probably causing catastrophic damage to your vehicle

So, how often do radiators need to be replaced?  Radiators’ do have a limited lifespan, but there’s no set number of years. A lot will depend on how well you maintain the coolant system. It should last for many years. 

Knowing the signs of a failing radiator can help prevent an urgent radiator repair, including:

• Coolant leaking on the ground under the radiator (this could also indicate a leak at a hose, the drain cock locations)
• Damaged fins on the radiator
• Temperature gauge rises quickly past normal operating temperature (this can also indicate low coolant, the air in the lines and other issues)
• Rust in the coolant
• Cracks in the plastic (many modern radiators are plastic, rather than metal)

Damage to the radiator can cause a ripple effect throughout the car, resulting in damage to the engine.  What could have been a minor radiator repair could turn into a major engine job!

Wondering how often radiators need to be replaced?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about radiator repair and to make an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

Wondering what are the Signs of a Bad Starter?

You head out the door to work and your car won’t start.  Is it an issue with the battery, the alternator, or the starter?  How do you know which one?  You wish you had paid more attention when your mechanic had discussed the signs of a bad starter with you a few weeks ago. 

The starter system was designed for repeated use under a variety of weather and road conditions. But the wear and tear of daily use, extreme conditions, and poor maintenance can all create issues.  

Though, your starting issue may not be the starter. It could be that the battery is not holding the charge wanted to start your vehicle, or maybe you left your headlights on all night. Or maybe the battery has reached the end of its life and just wants to be replaced.  

Another reason for your car not starting could be a bad alternator that’s not keeping the battery charged.  A big sign that your alternator is bad is if the warning light on your instrument panel is on. Your vehicle is possibly running strictly off the battery which will cause it to go dead in no time.

There are some signs of a bad starter: 

1. Your vehicle cranks slowly or labors to crank when starting.
2. Your vehicle won’t start at all.
3. Starting issues are intermittent.
4. The interior lights dim when you try to start the car. 
5. You hear grinding noise when the car is starting or running.
6. A burning smell or smoke is coming from underneath the hood. 
7. The starter is soaked with oil. 

Don’t’ take a chance of getting stranded somewhere, but ask your mechanic to check your car’s starter, battery and alternator as soon potential.

Want to know more about what are the signs of a bad starter?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about batteries, starters, and alternators and to make an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served car owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.