There aren’t many things more anxiety-inducing than driving along and suddenly noticing your temperature gauge is creeping up, hotter and hotter. You might say to yourself:
- “Oh no! Why is my car overheating?”
- “Do I have a radiator leak?”
- “Do I need a radiator repair?”
- “Should I try to make it to an auto repair shop, or pull over and have my car towed?”
As experienced mechanics, we can tell you a car overheating problem isn’t something to ignore, as you could seriously damage your engine. Here’s more advice on looking out for radiator issues, like a radiator leak, and reasons you may need a radiator repair.
Looking Out for Radiator Leaks to Prevent Car Overheating
When the temperature gauge on your dashboard reads high, or a temperature warning light comes on, you have a cooling system problem that may be caused by a radiator leak. Some radiator leaks are easy to spot, i.e. a hole from road debris, but others not so much, as in the case of a pinhole-size leak. And because leaks can occur in many different parts of the radiator and can be difficult to find, we don’t recommend trying to repair a radiator leak on your own. The proper functioning of your cooling system is vital for your car, and it’s easy to miss the root cause of a leak. Rather, keep an eye out for puddles near your vehicle that could indicate a radiator leak, and if you see anything, fill up your coolant (with the correct coolant), and get to an auto repair shop as soon as possible.
Radiator Problems Requiring Radiator Repair
One of the most common reasons car overheating occurs is a radiator leak caused by a crack. If you find green liquid under your vehicle, then you need to have your radiator inspected to identify the area where the radiator leak is present. Take your car to an auto repair shop, and a mechanic can perform a pressure test to determine the source of the leak, and—if the radiator leak isn’t too big—it’s possible to do a radiator repair and patch or replace the broken part. A radiator hose can also be the source of a radiator leak. To keep your radiator (and your car) running smoothly, it is important to replace radiator hoses on a regular basis.
Trust Us to Help When Car Overheating Has Got You Down
If you notice your car is overheating, turn the heat on in your car, as this will help move hot air away from your engine, and bring it to a mechanic right away. Procrastination is not an option when it comes to car overheating—you could cause your engine system to fail, which can mean thousands of dollars in auto repairs. Tend to that radiator leak now, get the radiator repair you need, and thank yourself later