The radiator is one of the most important parts of your car’s cooling system. As you drive, coolant disperses through the radiator’s fins, releasing heat and cooling down, before flowing back through the engine. If you experience the following signs of radiator trouble, it’s best to have prompt radiator repair at your local Subaru dealer before your engine starts to overheat.
Does Your Subaru Need a Radiator Repair?
You Notice a Buildup of Rust
Radiators are sometimes susceptible to rust. External rust may build up if a car is left unused for prolonged periods. Internal rust can accumulate if the coolant isn’t flushed and begins to degrade.
If external rust on your radiator is too extensive to clean with a good anti-rust product, you may need to replace the radiator. Internal rust will start to change the coolant’s color to a rusty brown. Fresh coolant with strong anti-rust properties can usually resolve internal rust, although you may need to have it flushed and replaced a few times.
Coolant’s Puddling Under Your Car
Radiators can sometimes leak coolant from a loose or cracked hose, pan, or gasket. If your radiator ever leaks, you’re likely to see a puddle of brightly colored fluid under your car when parked.
As coolant is treated ethylene glycol, it also has a strong, sweet smell, which you might notice inside your car. Have a leaking radiator fixed right away before your engine starts to overheat.
Your Radiator’s Fins Are Clogged
When the fins of a radiator become clogged up with dirt, leaves, insects, and mulch, they start to lose their ability to disperse the coolant’s heat. It’s best to check frequently and keep the fins clean.
Your Radiator’s Cracked or Dented
Small stones can sometimes fly in through a car’s front grill, getting trapped in the radiator fins or causing a crack or dent. If you ever notice visible damage to your radiator fins, you’ll probably need a new radiator.
Your Cabin’s Not Heating Up
In many cars, the heat released from the coolant as it flows through the radiator’s fins is collected and used by the cabin’s heater. So if your cabin’s heating system ever fails to warm you up, the radiator might be to blame.
Your Engine’s Overheating
When a radiator falters, your engine won’t be far behind. Without proper cooling, you’ll soon notice signs of overheating. The temperature gauge on your dashboard will shoot up, your engine will lose power, you may hear ticking and knocking noises, and white vapor may start to rise from under the hood.
Your Subaru Dealer Finds a Fault
During your periodical servicing visits at your local dealership, your technician will check your coolant’s level and condition and also look over the radiator. If they suspect a malfunction, they can pressure test every part of the radiator and notify you of any developing problems.
Have your car’s radiator inspected and repaired today at Jim Keras Subaru Hacks Cross. We provide drivers in the Memphis area with great cars, deals, and customer service.
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