Your radiator works to keep your car operating at an optimal temperature, an improperly functioning cooling system can cause major and possibly unrepairable damage to your engine. We offer inspection and maintenance services to your cooling system and are able to replace your radiator should the need arise. Living in Australia, some drivers might argue that a car's cooling system is one of its most important functions.
Your cooling system is extremely important for your car as it removes excess heat from the engine so it does not overheat. Regular servicing of your car's cooling system is vital to maintain reliable performance and to avoid costly engine repairs.
Common cooling system issues and warning signs
Some of the signs that there are problems with your cooling system include:
- Car overheats (see engine temperature gauge).
- Puddle of (greenish or brownish) cooling fluid under the car.
Cooling system repairs
Coolant can lose its properties when it gets old and it begins to allow the water to corrode your engines internal parts. Water pumps fail, radiators fail and more. These failures can lead to disastrous engine problems. Additionally, if there is a leak in your cooling system, you risk the same problems.
Our trained technicians will carefully examine and test your cooling system and highlight any areas that require work or replacement components. Maintenance and repair work on your cooling system should always be carried out by a trained technician.
Cooling system components
A car's basic cooling system is made up of the radiator, radiator hoses water pump, heater core, thermostat and a cooling fan. Each has a different function:
- Radiator: Coolant that's passed through the engine is then pumped through the radiator tubes, cooled off and continually recirculated through the system.
- Radiator hoses: Rubber hoses transfer the coolant fluid from one location to another and need to be checked regularly and replaced before they become brittle and cracked.
- Water pump: This water pump circulates the coolant through the system. The pump is usually driven by either a drive belt or sometimes by the engine's timing belt. The water pump requires regular inspection for signs of corrosion, bearing operation and seal leaks.
- Thermostat: The thermostat controls the coolant circulation rate to ensure your engine maintains a constant operating temperature. If the thermostat fails to operate correctly, it could cause increased engine wear, poor fuel economy or even an overheated engine resulting in costly repairs
- Cooling fan: These are used for either primary or added cooling. The fan draws air through the radiator when you aren't moving fast enough to maintain the optimum engine operating temperature. You'll often hear the fan when parked in traffic or when the air-conditioning is switched on, as the cooling system requires constant air movement to operate efficiently.
