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Your Ford’s radiator has the important job of removing engine heat. An engine is extremely hot due to combustion and the movement of hundreds of fast-moving parts. If this heat isn’t removed it will damage your engine. The radiator takes in the heat from your engine and exchanges it for cooler outside air. If your radiator is damaged, your Ford dealer can repair or replace it. We’d like you to know some signs that you need a radiator repair.
Signs You Need a Radiator Repair at Your Ford Dealer
Leaking Coolant
Coolant is essential for your engine as it absorbs heat and takes it to the radiator where it’s cooled. This liquid is pumped through the engine at high speed and under high pressure. Once the coolant enters the radiator, it flows into parallel lines of radiator tubes. Air flows over the radiator tubes and cools the hot coolant inside them.
Any damage or wear to the cooling system can result in a leak. A coolant leak is usually easy to see as coolant is pink, yellow, green, or blue. Any loss of coolant will reduce the pressure in the cooling system and increase the temperature in your engine. We can trace a leak and permanently seal it to fix this problem.
Worn Radiator Cap Seals
The radiator cap screws into the top of the radiator and has two seals to provide an airtight fit. This cap controls the pressure in the cooling system and prevents coolant from leaking out. If the pressure rises too high, the cap will open and bleed off some of the pressure and then close again.
We check the radiator cap seals during your scheduled services. If the seals aren’t checked, they will gradually shrink due to the heat and pressure. Worn radiator seals allow coolant to escape. Escaping coolant will decrease the pressure and slow down the cooling system. You can see evidence of a coolant leak in the white streaks below a failed radiator cap. We will replace the seals to fix this problem.
Blocked Radiator Tubes
The radiator tubes are made from aluminum and are arranged in parallel lines in the front of the radiator. As we’ve seen, hot coolant flows into the tubes and is cooled by airflow. Twigs, leaves, and other debris can also blow in through the radiator grille and block the spaces between the tubes.
This debris acts as an insulator, keeping the heat inside the tubes and preventing its removal by cooler air. We can easily clean the tubes to remove this debris, and the cooling system will work effectively again.
Don’t risk your engine overheating. Call our service department today at Cloninger Ford of Salisbury.
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