Overheating

Overheating is one of the most serious issues your engine can face, and it’s something you definitely don’t want to ignore. When your engine overheats, it means the temperature inside the engine is getting too high for it to function properly, which can cause severe damage if left unchecked.

• Low Coolant Level: Coolant is what absorbs the heat from your engine and carries it to the radiator, where it’s cooled off. If your coolant is low, there’s not enough fluid to do the job, causing the engine to overheat.
• Coolant Leaks: If you’re losing coolant due to a leak in the radiator, hoses, or water pump, your engine can overheat quickly. You might notice puddles of coolant under your car or see steam from the engine bay.
• Thermostat Failure: The thermostat regulates the flow of coolant through the engine. If it’s stuck closed, coolant can’t circulate, and the engine will overheat. If it’s stuck open, the engine may not warm up properly either.
• Radiator Problems: A clogged or damaged radiator can’t properly dissipate the heat from the coolant, causing the engine to overheat. Radiators can also leak, further reducing the system’s ability to cool.
• Water Pump Issues: The water pump circulates coolant through the engine. If it fails, the coolant can’t move through the system efficiently, and the engine will overheat.

If your engine overheats and you don’t address it, the damage can get expensive fast. Overheating can warp metal parts inside the engine, damage the head gasket, and even cause the engine to seize up, which could require a complete engine replacement. Essentially, the longer you drive with an overheating engine, the higher the risk of severe damage.

Radiator Leaks

Radiator leaks are one of the most common issues we see when it comes to cooling system problems, and they can lead to some serious trouble if not addressed quickly. Your radiator is responsible for cooling down the engine by circulating coolant, so your engine is at risk of overheating when there’s a leak.

When you bring your car to us for a suspected radiator leak, we’ll perform a pressure test on the cooling system to pinpoint exactly where the leak is coming from. Depending on the location and severity of the leak, we may be able to repair the damaged area, or if there is severe damage or corrosion, we recommend replacing the radiator.

If the leak comes from a hose or clamp, we’ll replace those parts to ensure everything is sealed properly. We’ll also inspect the rest of the cooling system, including the water pump, thermostat, and radiator cap, to ensure everything is in good working order.

Radiator Flush

A radiator flush is an essential part of maintaining your car’s cooling system, and it helps keep your engine running smoothly and at the right temperature. Over time, coolant (also known as antifreeze) can break down, get contaminated with rust, dirt, and other debris, and lose its effectiveness. A radiator flush cleans out all the old coolant and buildup inside your radiator and replaces it with fresh coolant, allowing your engine to stay properly cooled.

Why a Radiator Flush is Important

Your car’s cooling system prevents your engine from overheating. Coolant flows through the engine, absorbing heat, and then goes to the radiator, where it’s cooled down before circulating again. But as coolant ages, it becomes less effective at its job. Contaminants like rust, scale, and debris can build up inside the radiator and hoses, blocking the flow of coolant and reducing the cooling system’s efficiency.

A radiator flush removes these contaminants to ensure your cooling system works at its best. It also helps prevent serious issues like overheating, corrosion, or even damage to your engine or radiator.

When we perform a radiator flush, here’s what happens:

• Draining the Old Coolant: We start by draining the old, contaminated coolant from your radiator and cooling system. This gets rid of most of the debris, rust, and old fluid.
• Flushing the System: Next, we flush the system with a special cleaning solution or water under pressure to break loose and remove any remaining dirt, scale, or sludge stuck in the system. This ensures that all areas of the cooling system, including the radiator, water pump, and hoses, are clean.
• Adding Fresh Coolant: After the flush, we refill the radiator with fresh, manufacturer-recommended coolant. This new coolant will do much better to keep your engine cool and prevent overheating.
• Bleeding the System: Finally, we remove any air bubbles trapped in the cooling system to ensure that coolant can flow freely.