How Can You Tell If You Have A Bad Radiator?

Although our days are still warm, it’s time to get your vehicle ready for winter.  An important part that drivers often overlook in winter is the radiator.  When it’s icy outside, the coolant in the radiator expands and contracts, adding stress to the radiator.  If cracks and leakages in the radiator go unnoticed, the end result could be damage to the transmission.  

As strange as it sounds, an engine can overheat even during cold temperatures.  Don’t delay for this to happen before thinking about scheduling a radiator repair.  Damage to the radiator can cause an undulate effect throughout the vehicle and cause the vehicle 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 limited due to air inside the cooling system, clogged hoses, or too low of coolant level. 
• Leaking Radiator – The constant icy 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 wear our so have them checked frequently. 
• Thermostat Failure – The thermostat regulates the amount of coolant that is recirculated and ensures that the coolant in the engine stays within a particular temperature range regardless of the outside temperature. A failing thermostat prevents the flowing coolant to the engine.
• A Smoking Muffler – Actual smoke coming from the muffler could mean that the head gasket has been broken from an overheating engine.

Before winter come to full force make sure the antifreeze/water mixture in your radiator is still effective.  Your Auto mechanic may recommend flushing the cooling system, or easily topping it off.  

Are you wondering how can you tell if you have a bad radiator?  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 car owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

Wondering how do you know if a radiator is bad?

It’s time to think about the radiator in your vehicle!  You will want to make sure you don’t get stuck out in cold weather and road conditions with an overheating engine and steam coming from underneath the hood of your car.  By knowing how do you know if a radiator is bad you can avoid an emergency visit to your auto shop to replace a radiator.  

So how do you know if a radiator is bad?  Schedule an inspection by an ASE certified mechanic if you notice these two main signs below:

• Leaking:  You may notice a puddle of coolant (it could be green, pink, or orange) on the garage floor under your vehicle. You could also notice a sweet smell.  There could be a crack in the radiator unit.  Radiator leakages and cracks should be repaired by an ASE certified mechanic.
• Warning Light:  If the coolant level drops too low, a low coolant light will come on and you will see the temperature gauge increasing, indicating that your engine is overheating.  If you notice your engine is overheating while driving, pull over instantly and call a tow truck.

Remember:  To prevent the necessity of replacing your radiator and for your vehicle to remain a trustworthy source of transportation, have the radiator checked periodically for leaks or cracks.  

For more information about how do you know if a radiator is bad, call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, and to make an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto shop has proudly served car owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

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 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.