Signs You Need a Radiator Repair at Your Ford Dealer

The radiator’s job is to remove the heat generated by your engine to prevent overheating. Radiators work under extreme heat and pressure conditions, and this can eventually lead to wear or damage. Your Ford dealer in Secaucus, NJ, can perform any type of radiator repair you may need. These are some signs that your radiator could be damaged.

Engine Temperature Increasing

The temperature gauge on your dash allows you to see the engine temperature at a glance. Your engine will always have a high temperature, usually between 185 F and 220 F, which is normal. Constant movement and friction by the engine components will always generate heat, as will the controlled explosions of combustion.

Your Ford’s cooling system is designed to speed up when the temperature rises and bring the temperature down again. If your temperature gauge doesn’t show a drop in heat after a few minutes something is going wrong. The problem could be a lack of coolant, a blockage in the cooling system, or even damage. We’ll find the cause of the issue, and your cooling system will work efficiently again.

Cracked Radiator

As we’ve seen, the radiator operates under constant high pressure and at high temperatures. These stresses can damage the radiator casing over time. A radiator is made from aluminum and plastic to reduce weight. Cracks can form in the plastic as your radiator ages, and these cracks can widen and turn into leaks.

Leaking coolant causes a drop in cooling system pressure and reduces the amount of coolant available to absorb heat. These twin problems will cause a rapid rise in your engine temperature if they’re not repaired ASAP. You’ll usually see evidence of a leak as a pool of blue, green, pink, or yellow liquid under the front of your car. We can’t repair the plastic radiator casing, but we can fit a new radiator to fix this problem.

Air in the Cooling System

The cooling system is designed to be airtight, as air in the cooling system will cause serious problems. Air will form bubbles and can block the flow of coolant necessary to control your engine temperature. Some signs of air in the cooling system include temperature fluctuations through the cabin air vents and the engine temperature rising and then falling when your engine starts.

Air can enter the system through worn or cracked seals, and it will continue to be a problem until its removed. We can easily solve this problem by bleeding the radiator to remove the air. Once the air has gone, your cooling system will return to normal.

If you suspect you have a radiator problem, call us right away at United Ford.