6 Common Causes of Car Radiator Leaks
As useful as cars are, they can experience all kinds of issues. According to LookupaPlate, there are about 69 million vehicle breakdowns every year across the US.
Among these causes, one that can be tricky to deal with is a car radiator leak. If you have an issue with your car cooling system, it's something that you'll want to deal with as soon as possible.
Phil's Service provides professional automotive repair in Killeen, TX, and can help you with this. There are several potential causes of radiator leaks which we'll explore in this article. Some of the most common include:
- Corrosion
- A faulty radiator gasket
- Poor service practices
- A Worn radiator cap
- A Malfunctioning water pump
- A Cracked reservoir
Let's dive deeper into these issues and look at how a skilled auto repair shop in Killeen can help you.
1. Corrosion
One of the most common leaky radiator causes is corrosion and rust. This occurs when there's consistent exposure to heat and pressure.
It can lead to cracks forming in the radiator which may grow into holes. Coolant can then start to leak out.
2. A Faulty Radiator Gasket
Between the radiator and the coolant tank, you'll find the radiator gasket. It stops coolant from leaking out, but only while it's functioning properly. It will wear down with time, and when it fails, coolant will rapidly start to escape.
As this happens, the cooling properties of any remaining liquid will quickly decline, leading to various car overheating problems. If this happens, you should immediately seek out auto repair in Killeen. If left, it can cause significant damage to your vehicle.
3. Poor Service Practices
Regular service is vital to keep your car in good shape. You should stick to a schedule consisting of preventative vehicle maintenance in Killeen, Texas. With that said, if this maintenance is done by an unreliable mechanic, it can lead to all kinds of issues.
Poor service practices can result in radiator damage. For example, overfilling the radiator can pead to too much water pressure, and this can cause leaks. You should only hire trustworthy Killeen, Texas, mechanics when you need any work done on your car.
Phil's Service is a great example here. We have a 4.92-star rating based on more than 400 reviews, showing just how happy our past customers are with the work we've done for them.
4. A Worn Radiator Cap
The radiator cap is another component that's vital for correct operation. It locks the coolant inside the radiator while stopping any potential contaminants from getting in.
Like other parts, it will wear down with time due to the heat and pressure it's exposed to. This may not directly lead to a car radiator leak, but it still needs to be in good condition if you want to avoid issues.
Whenever you get a service from a professional mechanic, they should inspect the radiator cap. If it's too worn down, they'll replace it.
5. A Malfunctioning Water Pump
You may be able to get an idea of what's causing a problem judging by the radiator leak symptoms. For example, a malfunctioning water pump might cause water to leak from the bottom of the radiator.
This usually happens if a large bump or debris on rough terrain hits the water pump. Being located on the bottom of the radiator, it's somewhat exposed to such hazards. The hoses that run from the pump to the radiator can also come loose or tear if they're impacted.
6. A Cracked Reservoir
Another component that can fail after wearing down too much is the coolant reservoir. It holds the radiator fluid, and this coolant can leak if a crack appears in the reservoir.
How to Stop a Radiator Leak?
In most cases, professional car repair in Killeen, Texas, is the best option if you have a radiator leak. With that said, there are some simple solutions you could try first.
Radiator Stop Leak Products
Radiator stop leak products are available in various forms and can be quite effective. They usually come as liquids or powders and can seal small holes and cracks that form in radiators.
Bear in mind, however, that these are only suitable for small areas of damage and are a temporary solution. You should still take your car to a professional for a more permanent fix.
Self-Sealing
You can try some other products to seal a radiator leak such as epoxy or a radiator repair kit. Again, these aren't suitable for sizable damage and only serve as temporary fixes. You should only do this in an emergency if you can't get your car to a mechanic immediately.
Professional Repair
While the above radiator repair tips can be helpful, you can't rely just on them. If your radiator is damaged, you'll need to get a reliable mechanic to take a look as soon as possible.
They can assess your vehicle to diagnose the leak and determine the cause. They can then carry out repairs as needed. This is the only suitable option that provides a long-term fix for a radiator leak.
Potential Damages of a Radiator Leak
All parts of a car take some abuse over time, and the radiator is no different. When it's working properly, it will circulate coolant through the engine, dissipating heat and keeping everything running properly.
When this isn't happening, the engine will rapidly overheat. This can cause serious damage, especially during long periods of operation.
Overheating can cause problems with:
- The engine
- Thermostat
- Gaskets
- Cooling system
- Radiator
It doesn't take long for damage to occur, which is why you must take your car to an auto repair shop as soon as you notice an issue.
Dealing With a Car Radiator Leak
If you think you might have a car radiator leak, you need to act quickly. Contact a qualified mechanic as soon as you can to help with the issue.
Phil's Service is the only ASE Blue Seal Certified Repair Shop in Killeen, TX. Our fully qualified mechanics can help you deal with a leaky radiator or any other problems you're experiencing with your car. Schedule an appointment with us today.
As useful as cars are, they can experience all kinds of issues. According to LookupaPlate, there are about 69 million vehicle breakdowns every year across the US.
Among these causes, one that can be tricky to deal with is a car radiator leak. If you have an issue with your car cooling system, it's something that you'll want to deal with as soon as possible.
Phil's Service provides professional automotive repair in Killeen, TX, and can help you with this. There are several potential causes of radiator leaks which we'll explore in this article. Some of the most common include:
- Corrosion
- A faulty radiator gasket
- Poor service practices
- A Worn radiator cap
- A Malfunctioning water pump
- A Cracked reservoir
Let's dive deeper into these issues and look at how a skilled auto repair shop in Killeen can help you.
1. Corrosion
One of the most common leaky radiator causes is corrosion and rust. This occurs when there's consistent exposure to heat and pressure.
It can lead to cracks forming in the radiator which may grow into holes. Coolant can then start to leak out.
2. A Faulty Radiator Gasket
Between the radiator and the coolant tank, you'll find the radiator gasket. It stops coolant from leaking out, but only while it's functioning properly. It will wear down with time, and when it fails, coolant will rapidly start to escape.
As this happens, the cooling properties of any remaining liquid will quickly decline, leading to various car overheating problems. If this happens, you should immediately seek out auto repair in Killeen. If left, it can cause significant damage to your vehicle.
3. Poor Service Practices
Regular service is vital to keep your car in good shape. You should stick to a schedule consisting of preventative vehicle maintenance in Killeen, Texas. With that said, if this maintenance is done by an unreliable mechanic, it can lead to all kinds of issues.
Poor service practices can result in radiator damage. For example, overfilling the radiator can pead to too much water pressure, and this can cause leaks. You should only hire trustworthy Killeen, Texas, mechanics when you need any work done on your car.
Phil's Service is a great example here. We have a 4.92-star rating based on more than 400 reviews, showing just how happy our past customers are with the work we've done for them.
4. A Worn Radiator Cap
The radiator cap is another component that's vital for correct operation. It locks the coolant inside the radiator while stopping any potential contaminants from getting in.
Like other parts, it will wear down with time due to the heat and pressure it's exposed to. This may not directly lead to a car radiator leak, but it still needs to be in good condition if you want to avoid issues.
Whenever you get a service from a professional mechanic, they should inspect the radiator cap. If it's too worn down, they'll replace it.
5. A Malfunctioning Water Pump
You may be able to get an idea of what's causing a problem judging by the radiator leak symptoms. For example, a malfunctioning water pump might cause water to leak from the bottom of the radiator.
This usually happens if a large bump or debris on rough terrain hits the water pump. Being located on the bottom of the radiator, it's somewhat exposed to such hazards. The hoses that run from the pump to the radiator can also come loose or tear if they're impacted.
6. A Cracked Reservoir
Another component that can fail after wearing down too much is the coolant reservoir. It holds the radiator fluid, and this coolant can leak if a crack appears in the reservoir.
How to Stop a Radiator Leak?
In most cases, professional car repair in Killeen, Texas, is the best option if you have a radiator leak. With that said, there are some simple solutions you could try first.
Radiator Stop Leak Products
Radiator stop leak products are available in various forms and can be quite effective. They usually come as liquids or powders and can seal small holes and cracks that form in radiators.
Bear in mind, however, that these are only suitable for small areas of damage and are a temporary solution. You should still take your car to a professional for a more permanent fix.
Self-Sealing
You can try some other products to seal a radiator leak such as epoxy or a radiator repair kit. Again, these aren't suitable for sizable damage and only serve as temporary fixes. You should only do this in an emergency if you can't get your car to a mechanic immediately.
Professional Repair
While the above radiator repair tips can be helpful, you can't rely just on them. If your radiator is damaged, you'll need to get a reliable mechanic to take a look as soon as possible.
They can assess your vehicle to diagnose the leak and determine the cause. They can then carry out repairs as needed. This is the only suitable option that provides a long-term fix for a radiator leak.
Potential Damages of a Radiator Leak
All parts of a car take some abuse over time, and the radiator is no different. When it's working properly, it will circulate coolant through the engine, dissipating heat and keeping everything running properly.
When this isn't happening, the engine will rapidly overheat. This can cause serious damage, especially during long periods of operation.
Overheating can cause problems with:
- The engine
- Thermostat
- Gaskets
- Cooling system
- Radiator
It doesn't take long for damage to occur, which is why you must take your car to an auto repair shop as soon as you notice an issue.
Dealing With a Car Radiator Leak
If you think you might have a car radiator leak, you need to act quickly. Contact a qualified mechanic as soon as you can to help with the issue.
Phil's Service is the only ASE Blue Seal Certified Repair Shop in Killeen, TX. Our fully qualified mechanics can help you deal with a leaky radiator or any other problems you're experiencing with your car. Schedule an appointment with us today.
