Car Radiator Problems: The 5 Most Common Issues

The car radiator contributes to maintaining the proper engine temperature, preventing overheating or the risk for a vehicle breakdown. 

A stressful trip to an auto repair shop is the last thing you would want to do on a busy weekday. Similarly, you wouldn't want to devote your entire weekend at the same workshop. 

Therefore, maintaining decent condition of your radiator might benefit in future problem prevention. But how can the most frequent radiator issues with cars be avoided? Dolphin Catalogue, since its establishment has dealt with a diverse automotive issue. Today we manufacture 3000+ products and distribute in multiple countries. Knowledge and experience grow when shared, thus, we have listed below few common issues that every driver faces at least once in their lifetime. 

To solve an issue, one must be aware of the issue. It's crucial to understand some of the more basic radiator issues, how to avoid them, and how to correct them. 

5 Most Common Radiator Problems 

• Leaks 
• Rust 
• Gunk 
• Bad Water Pump or Thermostat 
• Overheating 

Problem 1 - Leaks:

Defective tubes are the most frequent cause of radiator leaks, but the radiator itself can also leak, which can be a bigger issue. There is a lot of pressure created by the coolant flowing continuously from your radiator to your hot, running engine and back again. Your radiator tubes will eventually perish due to that pressure build-up. 

The tubes will eventually deteriorate or become loose, allowing coolant to leak out of the system and eventually causing overheating. Your radiator is leaking if you notice green fluid under your car or nearby and you smell something unusual. Even if your radiator's tubes are in good condition, excessive corrosion can still result in a leak in the radiator's body. 

Problem 2 - Rust:

You will undoubtedly become aware of any outside corrosion on your car. But that doesn't mean it's not happening in your car even if you can't see it. Rust and oxidation are inevitable when metal, liquid, and air are together. Your radiator contains each of those components, making rust a serious hazard. Your radiator may develop holes, leak, or have other problems if it becomes overly corroded. 

Check your radiator for rust if your automobile is running too hot. You should be able to see it clearly from the outside, but you can also detect if your coolant starts to turn brown. You should be extra cautious for corrosion if you drive your car in chilly climates. 

Problem 3 - Gunk:

A build-up of mineral deposits, also known as "gunk," is another common concern with radiators. You may recognize gunk by its thick, slimy, clumpy appearance, which appears to exist for no other purpose than to clog up the process. Your radiator's ability to pump the right quantity of coolant to the engine is hampered by mineral deposits, by products, debris, and other obstructive build-up. If your automobile is overheating or heating up too quickly and you don't notice any signs of rust, leaks, or hose separation, look inside the radiator for any accumulation of gunk. 

Problem 4 - Bad Water Pump or Thermostat 

Keep in mind that your radiator is just one component of a larger, interconnected cooling system, and that for the system to function effectively, all of the other components must also be functioning effectively. The system won't know when to discharge fluid into the radiator if the thermostat malfunctions, and it won't have the pressure it needs to circulate the coolant if the water pump malfunctions. Both of these scenarios will prevent the radiator from functioning as intended. 

Problem 5 - Overheating:

Any issue with the cooling system often manifests as an overheated radiator or engine. However, a broken radiator fan is frequently at blame if the temperature gauge suddenly rises while you're stuck in traffic or idling for any other reason. An electric fan that sucks air into the radiator to keep it cold when you are resting or traveling at a low pace is another component of your coolant system, especially if you have a modern car. The frequent result of this fan breaking is idle overheating. 

How to Avoid These Issues? 

Avoiding Rust and Corrosion Issues:

Check your automobile radiator for rust and corrosion symptoms on a regular basis to prevent extensive rust issues. There will undoubtedly be hidden rust on the inside of the radiator if rust is visible on the radiator's exterior. You should bring your car in for a professional team's inspection if you see any rust. 

Avoiding Gunk Issue:

Make sure that any overheating concerns are examined by a team of experts to prevent gunk or sludge problems for your car radiator. The solution is a thorough coolant flush. The same way that draining the coolant may get rid of rust, it can also clean out your system of all that muck. Because draining won't completely remove the dirt from the system and will instead contaminate your new coolant, it's important to flush rather than simply drain and replace the coolant. 

Avoiding Thermostat Issues:

Although the thermostat is technically not a radiator, it is a part of the car's radiator, and it does have some control over the coolant's flow to the radiator. As a result, any problem with the thermostat could affect the radiator of your car as well as your entire vehicle, resulting in overheating and possibly even a breakdown. 

There are several things you can do to avoid any thermostatic problems with your car. These consist of: 

• Checking the coolant's level and color is important since a low coolant level or discolored coolant may be an early sign of a heating system issue. Rust in the system may need to be flushed out if the coolant is brown or otherwise discolored. 
• Rust inspection of the radiator. In addition to inspecting the coolant for rust, you should also look at the radiator itself. If you notice any rusty indications, schedule an inspection for your car. 

Remember This on Your Fingertips! 

• First, be sure you periodically change the coolant. 
• Second, make sure the cooling system is dust-free and clean. 
• Third, check to see that the hoses are in good shape and are not leaking. 
• Fourth, check to see if the radiator cap is intact and not leaking. 

Conclusion 

Engines are powered by radiators. It is very vital to address radiator problems as soon as possible, since these are matters that need to be addressed quickly. Dolphin is a reputable aftermarket radiator supplier who can help you find the right radiator for your vehicle.  

Dolphin has been providing the highest quality aftermarket radiators for various car manufacturers for more than two decades. Their focus and dedication have helped them become the leader in the radiator and other OEM car parts segment. Dolphin Catalogue can assist you in replacing your car radiator if it has started showing any of the above-mentioned radiator problems. 

Rarely do automobile owners consider their radiator until it is too late. By that time, people are anxiously searching for a bad automobile radiator's signs, symptoms, and fixes. In order for radiators to function properly, sufficient care and maintenance must be given to them. Prevention is always better than cure.