If you have the radiator in your import serviced every 30,000 miles, it should last at least 10 years. If you keep your import, there will come a point when the radiator needs to be replaced. Do not worry. We can do this here at our shop. We are the best import auto shop in town. Let’s talk below about the signs that the radiator needs to be replaced in your import.
Damaged Radiator
Naturally, the radiator needs to be replaced if it gets damaged. It is easy for the radiator to get damaged because it is located directly behind the grille. If you rear-end someone, you could damage the radiator. Road debris can also damage the radiator. We will talk more about this below. Finally, the coolant resting in the radiator can corrode it and cause it to leak. The radiator can also get clogged.
Orange Coolant
If you see coolant on the garage floor and its color is orange, you probably have a rusted radiator that needs to be replaced. Unfortunately, there is no way to repair this problem. The inside of the radiator is filled with rust because the coolant has been eating away at the metal. Consequently, this changes the coolant from its original color to orange because it is filled with rust.
Leaking Coolant
You will have a coolant leak problem with your import’s radiator. The coolant will leak out of the bottom of the radiator because it has eaten through it. Unfortunately, if you continue to drive your import, the engine may start to run too hot. Ignoring this problem can cause severe engine damage, including a cracked head gasket or a cracked exhaust manifold.
Clogged Inlets
We mentioned above that the radiator can get clogged. The air inlets can also get clogged by dirt that flows through your import’s grille. This prevents the air from flowing into the radiator and cooling off the coolant. Consequently, you may end up with hot coolant circulating through the engine. This will, of course, cause your import’s engine to overheat.
Damaged Inlets
Finally, we mentioned above that road debris can damage the radiator. If a large enough piece of road debris makes its way through the grille, it can dent the radiator or dent the air inlets. If the air inlets are severely dented, air may be unable to flow into the radiator.
Give us a call today if you are having problems with your import’s radiator.