Radiator & Cooling
System Service
Your radiator protects your engine and air
conditioning condenser from overheating. It also plays an
important role with the computer controlled system. An
engine temperature sensor actually tells the computer what
the engine temperature is so the computer can adjust the air
and fuel mixture and engine timing. The efficiency of the
radiator directly effects the efficiency of your engine.
That's why flushing the cooling system and
pH balancing the coolant is recommended at least once every
two years.
Our coolant system power flush removes contaminates.
 We pressure test the cooling system
for leaks, clean the recovery bottle and pressure test the radiator cap. The system is then refilled with the
proper mix of coolant and water for optimal protection.
We’re often asked questions about the
cooling system – the system that cools your engine
and keeps it at the proper operating temperature. Let’s examine
the topic in two areas: first the coolant itself and, second, the
parts that make up the cooling system.
The
coolant in
your car or light truck is the mix of water and
antifreeze that
circulates through the engine to draw off heat. First, you need to
have the proper amount. If you don’t have enough coolant it can’t
keep your engine cool.
You also need the
right
kind of coolant. Different makes of sedans and other
vehicles require different coolant formulation to
protect
against corrosion.
Finally, your coolant needs to be fresh. Over time and miles, the
anti-corrosion additives in the coolant are depleted and the
coolant can actually start to eat away at the cooling system
parts. Your owner’s manual and our
service adviser can help you with the
recommended coolant replacement schedule and make
sure you’re getting the right type of coolant.
Now let’s talk about the
cooling system components. These will all eventually wear
out and need to be replaced.
Starting with the
radiator, we see them coming into the shop with leaks or
clogged with deposits. Depending on the damage, we will clean,
repair or replace. We also see radiator pressure caps
that can no longer hold the proper pressure. We recommend
replacing pressure caps when you change your coolant to avoid this
problem.
We see
leaky water pumps and
hoses in our area that need to be replaced, too.
There’s also a part called the thermostat that
opens and closes to regulate the flow of coolant. Sometimes they
stick open or closed and the cooling system won’t work
properly.
Engine damage from overheating
can be very expensive to fix so it’s important to maintain your
cooling system properly with scheduled
coolant replacement and periodic inspections of the cooling
system. Certainly come in if you suspect a leak and have us take a
look.
Summer Can Be Tough on Cars
The cooling system works harder during hot temperatures to prevent
overheating of the engine. To keep the cooling system working
effectively, the coolant and distilled water mixture for a
vehicle’s radiator should be 50:50. As a reminder, never open a
hot radiator cap when checking the coolant level in the reservoir.
As a rule of thumb, the coolant should be changed annually on most
vehicles. This will keep the cooling system fresh and clean
inside, which helps prevent corrosion and assures that the coolant
has the proper boiling point and protection. A pressure test,
thermostat test, a cooling fan test and a visual inspection for
leaks and corrosion should also be done annually. Hoses and drive
belts should be checked for cracks, bulges or frayed edges.
The radiator should be kept clean by periodically using a garden
hose and a soft brush to carefully remove bugs, dirt and debris.
THE BASICS BEHIND COOLING SYSTEM FLUSH & FILL
SERVICES
In your vehicle, fuel is converted into heat energy, which means
the internal temperatures in your engine compartment can increase
dramatically in a short period of time. If your engine overheats,
it can cause major damage to various components and cost you a
significant amount of time and money to fix. The efficiency of a
cold engine is low in comparison to a warm engine, and cold
engines are prone to pollution. Your vehicle’s cooling system
helps maintain a constant internal temperature. Ethylene glycol is
mixed with water to make antifreeze, which is used in cooling
systems to regulate your engine’s temperature. Your engine’s
coolants must be capable of withstanding cold temperatures without
freezing and warm temperatures without boiling. Aside from
maintaining constant engine temperatures as it passes through the
cooling system, antifreeze prevents corrosion and lubricates
engine components to ensure that everything moves and performs
properly. A cooling system flush is necessary for maintaining
proper performance levels.
WHY SHOULD YOU HAVE COOLING SYSTEM FLUSH & FILL SERVICES
Since antifreeze helps regulate your engine’s internal
temperature, it is important to check antifreeze levels often.
Coolant levels should only be checked when the engine is
completely cool, because engine coolant can be hot enough to burn.
Significantly lowered coolant levels usually mean you have a leak,
or your engine is running too hot. Driving your vehicle on old
engine coolant is a leading cause of cooling system failure. The
purpose of any cooling system flush is to rid your vehicle of its
old antifreeze. Our service staff can drain antifreeze from your
radiator, flush out your cooling system, and add new antifreeze to
your radiator. We are happy to do cooling system flushes on
vehicles of all makes and models, and our knowledgeable service
staff will approach your cooling system flush and fill with
complete competence to deliver quality repairs.
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