5 Things to Know About Vehicle Radiator Replacement

5. What Does Your Radiator Do?

The radiator is responsible for keeping your engine cool. Specially formulated coolant is pumped throughout your vehicle's engine where it absorbs excess heat from the combustion process. The now heated coolant is then sent to the radiator where it travels through small, finned tubes to be cooled down by the air flow in front of the car, or the radiator fan if the car is sitting still. Then, the process is repeated. To keep your radiator well maintained, we recommend routine radiator inspections and an occasional flush. Without it, your engine would get so hot, it would become dysfunctional, and possibly require a costly replacement.

4. Where is the Radiator Located?

The radiator is located at the front of the engine compartment, behind the grill of your car where it can best take advantage of airflow to cool things down. When you open the hood of your car, you may find a radiator cap on top of a thin looking tank just behind the hood latch. Never touch that when the car has been running for any period of time because the near boiling contents are under pressure and there is a severe burn hazard if you're not familiar with this part of the vehicle. In most modern vehicles, you'll see an opaque plastic reservoir where you can visually check the coolant level without touching anything. You should see lines for minimum and maximum levels. If the fluid is between those, then you should be good to go. If not, we invite you to have our Toyota-certified technicians take a look.i

3. Causes of Radiator Damage

There are a couple reasons you could end up with a damaged radiator. One of the most common reasons a radiator could show that it's damaged is if it springs a leak. This can be an annoying and dangerous problem and should be addressed as soon as it comes to your attention. Even a small leak can quickly empty the system of coolant once the engine is turned on and the system builds pressure.

Another cause for your radiator to go bad is if it happens to be collecting rust or corrosion. Corrosion, or rust, in your engine's cooling system typically happens after the system has been run with just water instead of properly formulated antifreeze, which won't cause rust. The problem with this is that the small tubes within the radiator, which ultimately results in overheating. If this is the problem with your vehicle's cooling system, there's a chance that the radiator can be repaired. Though, it's more likely that a complete replacement will prove more affordable.

2. How to Tell if Something is Wrong With Your Radiator

Finding out something is wrong with your radiator is concerning. But, how do you know if the problem is the radiator? Well, there are a few signs to look for.

The most common and obvious symptom of a bad radiator is overheating. If you notice your engine becoming too hot, and the temperature gauge reaches the red end of the dial, prepare to pull the car over before that needle does hit the red. Driving with an overheating engine can do a lot of damage to your engine, or even ruin it completely if it doesn't cool down in time.