Dec 10, 2021

The radiator is a key component of your car’s cooling system, and it’s vital for the overall health of your vehicle. It works to cool down the engine, preventing it from overheating. However, just like other car parts, radiators don’t last forever. They can break down over time due to damages or general wear and tear, and it’s important to seek radiator repair from your local Frankston, TX Chevy dealer if you sense that something is wrong. Here are some signs to watch out for.

Radiator Repair Frankston, TX

Does Your Chevy Need a Radiator Repair? 5 Signs to Visit the Chevy Dealer in Frankston, TX

1. Smoke or Steam from Under the Hood

One of the clearest signs that your radiator is broken is the sight of smoke or steam coming from underneath the hood of your car. This only usually happens when the engine is overheating and the radiator isn’t doing its job correctly. It’s also very dangerous when you’re driving and start to see steam flowing up from your car, so the best thing to do is pull over as quickly as possible and turn off the engine to let it cool down.

2. White Smoke from the Exhaust

Another smoky sign of radiator trouble is when you see white smoke coming from your car’s exhaust pipe. When this happens, it usually means that coolant from your car’s radiator is leaking out and getting burned up in the combustion chamber. You’ll need to get a technician to take a look at your car, find the source of the leak, and repair it.

3. High Temperature Gauge

The main role of the radiator is to keep your car’s engine cool, and you can see how well it’s working by looking at the temperature gauge on your car’s dashboard. The gauge should have a hot section and a cool section, and when you drive, the arrow should point somewhere in the middle, halfway between the two extremes. If the arrow is pointing towards the hot section, it means that your engine is overheating and the radiator isn’t working.

4. External Coolant Leaks

One of the most common issues people have with car radiators is coolant leaks. This is when coolant starts to drip out of the system, often due to some sort of damage to the hoses. In the case of an external leak, the coolant will actually leak right out of your car, onto the ground of your garage, driveway, or parking space. You should be able to notice this, as coolant is a brightly-colored liquid, usually pink, yellow, or green.

5. Internal Coolant Leaks

In some cases, you might not notice a build-up of coolant below your car, but the liquid may still be leaking out on the inside. To check for this, lift the hood and inspect your radiator’s coolant levels. If the level of coolant keeps dropping and needs to be topped up regularly, it’s likely that you have a leak. You may also notice patches of rust around the radiator, which could be caused by leaking coolant that is burning up as it sprays out.

Driving around with a broken radiator isn’t a great idea, as you could risk serious engine damage due to overheating. So, if you notice any of the signs or symptoms listed above, head to a trusted local dealer and get your car fixed as soon as possible. Call Bacon Chevrolet today to arrange radiator servicing and repairs.