Your car’s radiator is the heart of its cooling system, and its primary job is to prevent your engine from overheating. A malfunction can quickly lead to serious and expensive engine damage, so knowing the warning signs is essential for every driver.

This guide will walk you through the common symptoms of a failing radiator and explain how our professionals diagnose the problem at our Sunshine North workshop.

5 Common Signs Your Radiator is in Trouble

Your car will usually give you clear signals when the cooling system is under stress. Be vigilant and look out for these red flags:

1. Engine Overheating: The most obvious sign. If your temperature gauge is consistently creeping into the red zone, it’s a clear indicator that the radiator is not dissipating heat effectively.
2. Coolant Leaks: Bright green, orange, or pink puddles under your car are a tell-tale sign of a coolant leak. This could come from the radiator itself or one of the connecting hoses.
3. Discoloured or Sludgy Coolant: Healthy coolant is brightly coloured. If the coolant in your reservoir looks rusty, brown, or sludgy, it indicates internal corrosion in the cooling system.
4. A Sweet Smell: Coolant has a distinct sweet odour. If you smell this around your car, especially when the engine is warm, you likely have an external leak.
5. Constantly Low Coolant Levels: If you have to top up your coolant frequently, it’s escaping from the system somewhere and needs immediate attention.

What You Can Check at Home

You can perform a quick visual inspection yourself. When the engine is completely cool, check the coolant level in the overflow tank. You can also visually inspect the radiator and its hoses for any obvious cracks, corrosion, or signs of leaks. However, many cooling system issues are not visible to the naked eye.

How Our Mechanics Perform a Professional Diagnosis

To accurately find the source of a problem, our qualified mechanics use specialised equipment at our workshop. This includes:

• Cooling System Pressure Test: This is the most effective way to find leaks. We use a tool to pressurise the system. If the pressure drops, it confirms there is a leak, which we can then pinpoint.
• Thermostat and Fan Check: We ensure the thermostat is opening correctly and that the radiator fans are activating when they should, as failures here can mimic radiator issues.
• Flow Test: We check that coolant is circulating properly through the entire system, ensuring there are no internal blockages.

Is It Time for a Radiator Replacement?

A radiator replacement may be necessary if we find significant physical damage or corrosion, persistent leaks that cannot be repaired, or internal clogging that restricts coolant flow. As radiators typically last 8-10 years, an older unit showing signs of wear is often a candidate for replacement to ensure future reliability.

Expert Radiator Service in Sunshine North

Don’t risk the health of your engine. If you suspect an issue with your radiator or any part of your cooling system, bring your vehicle to the experts. The team at Justfix Automotive has the tools and experience to diagnose and repair any cooling system problem.

Contact our Sunshine North workshop today to schedule an inspection and keep your car running smoothly!

Call: 0447 188 140 or Email: info@justfixautomotive.com.au