As a car owner, it’s up to you to notice when things are wrong with your vehicle and take the appropriate steps to get problems fixed before they get any worse. Some issues can be hard to spot, but often, when something is up with your car, you’ll notice some warning signs beginning to appear. This guide will list some of the common signs that tend to show up when your car needs radiator repair at your local Kerrville, TX GMC dealer.
1. Steam
It can be quite scary to suddenly see big puffs of steam flowing out from under the hood of your car as you drive around, but this is exactly what can happen when your radiator fails. The radiator’s job is to prevent the engine from overheating, but if it stops working somehow, the engine will get hotter and hotter, eventually giving off steam and putting you in a very dangerous position. If you see steam, stop the car right away and turn off the engine.
2. High Temperatures
You can keep track of your engine’s temperature by monitoring the temperature gauge on the dashboard. This gauge is quite easy to read, as it has a hot section, which is usually depicted as red, and a cool section, which is usually blue. While driving around normally, the arrow on the gauge should point somewhere in the middle. If you see the arrow in the red section, it means that the engine is excessively hot, and this is a clear sign of radiator failure.
3. Rust Spots
It’s a good idea to lift the hood and take a look at your car’s radiator from time to time. Check for any spots or patches of rust. If you see any rusty areas, you may be dealing with a coolant leak. While driving, coolant may spray out onto the radiator, burning up due to the high temperatures and leaving those little spots behind. Dealer mechanics can help you identify and fix any leaks.
4. External Leaks
If coolant is leaking due to some sort of radiator damage, it may actually start leaking out externally, with small pools of this fluid appearing under your car. It’s usually quite easy to identify a coolant leak, as the coolant has a distinctive sweet smell and is usually brightly colored pink, green, or yellow. If you see anything like this in your garage or driveway, you have a leak that needs to be fixed.
5. Contaminated Fluid
Even if coolant isn’t leaking out, it could get contaminated due to other damages in the system. To check for this, lift the hood and inspect the coolant inside your radiator. It should be clear and either pink, yellow, or green. If it looks dark and sludgy, like oil, it has been contaminated and needs to be flushed out and replaced.
If you notice any of the problems on this list, it’s highly likely that your car has some sort of radiator issue. The friendly, expert technicians at your local dealer will help to identify the problem and resolve it, getting you back on the road without any fuss or inconvenience. Call Crenwelge Motors GMC today to arrange radiator checks and repairs.
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