Your radiator’s job is to dissipate engine heat. Heat is carried to the radiator inside the coolant, which enters rows of thin aluminum tubes. Air flows through the radiator grille and across the tubes to remove the heat. If your radiator is damaged, the cooling process becomes less efficient. At your Ford dealership, we can fix any of these problems for you. These are some signs that you’ll need a radiator repair.
Broken Water Pump
Your engine works most efficiently between 185 F and 220 F, but higher sustained temperatures can cause damage to vital engine components like seals or gaskets. Coolant slows down or speeds up in response to increases or decreases in engine temperature.
The water pump is responsible for pumping the coolant. A blown fuse, worn wiring, or physical damage can shut down the pump. Without a working pump, the coolant won’t move through your engine, and the temperature will rapidly rise. If your engine is getting too hot, a damaged pump could be the source of the problem. We’ll examine your cooling system and fix the problem.
Cooling System Blockage
Your cooling system operates under high pressure, and this pressure must be maintained to allow the system to work effectively. A coolant leak will drop the system pressure, which then slows down, and your engine can overheat. It’s also possible for the system pressure to drop due to a blockage.
The cooling system is airtight, but air can eventually find its way into the system. If this happens, the air will form a bubble. This bubble will block the flow of coolant, causing the engine temperature to rise dramatically. Our technicians can fix this problem by bleeding the cooling system to remove trapped air.
Rusted Radiator
Rust is a mortal enemy of metal and can quickly form holes and damage its structural integrity. Your radiator can become damaged by rust over time due to either a coolant leak or external conditions. Coolant is a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water, and if it leaks onto the radiator from a faulty radiator cap or a damaged radiator hose, it will rapidly cause rust.
Another source of rust is road salt. During our Minnesota winters, salt is liberally spread across all our roads to melt the snow. When you’re driving, this salt can be flung up from the road on the underside of the radiator. Salt is abrasive and can damage the outside of the radiator, allowing the water in the snow to create rust. We can’t repair a rusted radiator, but we can replace it.
Radiator problems are usually quick and easy to repair, and they will prevent damage to your engine. Call our service department today at Freeway Ford.
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