3 Signs You Need A Radiator Repair in Baltimore, MD

To operate efficiently, your Toyota engine runs at a high temperature. Your car has a very efficient cooling system to control engine heat and prevent damage to any of its components. Your radiator is the center point of this system, but it can suffer damage. When you need a radiator repair, your Toyota dealer is here to help you. These are some of the signs that you have a radiator problem.

Broken Water Pump

When your engine gets too hot, liquid coolant is released into the engine. This liquid can absorb heat, and as it’s pumped through the system, it draws in engine heat. This heat has to be removed, and that’s where the radiator comes in. Once the liquid reaches the radiator, it enters rows of thin aluminum tubes, where the liquid is cooled by air flowing in through the radiator grille.

For this system to work, the coolant has to be under pressure and move at high speed. The water pump forces coolant through the system continuously until the engine temperature drops. If the water pump fails, coolant will still be released, but it won’t be able to move through the system. Your engine temperature will rise, and this can lead to overheating.

Damaged Tubes

The thin aluminum tubes, also known as fins, are designed to allow the greatest possible surface area for cooling. They’re made from aluminum to allow for more rapid cooling of the hot coolant. These tubes, however, are delicate. Aluminum is relatively easy to damage, and any grit or other debris that are thrown up from the surface can bend or break them.

Damaged tubes will restrict the amount of coolant that can be cooled at any time, which increases pressure on the cooling system. If enough tubes are blocked or damaged, your radiator won’t be able to cool the coolant. Hot coolant will build up in the cooling system, and this can cause your engine to rapidly overheat. We can’t repair the damaged tubes, but we can replace the radiator to fix the problem.

Jammed Thermostat

Your engine runs most efficiently at a temperature between 185℉ and 220℉, but this temperature has to be controlled. The thermostat is a small valve that will open if the temperature in your engine reaches 180℉ and release coolant. This coolant is pumped through the system by the water pump. The thermostat can fail, and if it does, it will jam open or closed.

If the thermostat jams open, it will continuously release coolant. Your engine will become colder and less efficient, and you’ll use additional fuel. If the thermostat jams closed, it won’t release coolant regardless of your engine temperature. Without coolant, your engine temperature will climb.

If your engine temperature seems to be rising, don’t risk an overheated engine. Contact us at DARCARS Toyota of Baltimore if you have questions about your radiator or schedule a service appointment online. Our experts will examine your car and find and fix the problem before any severe damage occurs.

Tags: Toyota Service
Posted in Baltimore Toyota Service, DARCARS Toyota of Baltimore Service, Tips & Tricks | No Comments »