You don’t need Auto Correct Car Care to tell you that a leaking radiator can spell disaster for your engine. The radiator is tasked with keeping the engine cool and if your engine overheats, you could end up with irreparable damage, such as a cracked head gasket. Well, a cracked head gasket can be repaired but it’s expensive. Why is your radiator leaking? Here are six common causes of radiator leaks.
Radiator Cap
If your radiator cap is cracked or broken coolant will leak out of it. Your radiator cap keeps the radiator system pressurized, and a broken cap releases that pressure and allows the coolant to spurt out. You’ve seen this happen if your vehicle has overheated to point of the cap exploding.
Reservoir
Your radiator has a coolant reservoir. You can see it easily when you open the hood. The reservoir can crack over time or road debris can hit it and punch a hole into it. It might also crack if you’re in an automobile accident. Thankfully, the reservoir is easy to replace.
Hoses
Your radiator hoses will crack over time, as well, or they may break off or get holes in them for one reason or another. Checking the hoses is crucial to ensure they remain in good shape. This is part of a radiator service visit. Old hoses will be replaced at that time.
The Radiator Itself
A radiator is not rust-proof and this is the most common cause of a radiator leak. Rust eats through the radiator and fluid leaks out of the holes. If you notice the radiator fluid leaking onto your garage floor is orange, a rusted radiator is likely the culprit.
Water Pump
The water pump is connected to your engine via gaskets and valves that can leak. As with many of the other parts discussed above, the leaks are usually the result of aging. Nothing lasts forever in your automobile, and the water pump can also leak radiator fluid.
Head Gasket
Radiator fluid will mix with oil if your engine has a blown head gasket. This is disastrous, as it can cause severe engine damage. Signs of a blown head gasket include overheating, misfiring, and as mentioned previously, radiator fluid in your engine’s motor oil.
If you suspect your radiator is leaking, call Auto Correct Car Care right away. You can reach our Finksburg, MD, shop today. We’ll set up an appointment that is convenient to your schedule and inspect your radiator system to isolate and repair the leak.