The radiator is a vital part of your Ford, as it is responsible for removing heat generated by combustion. Removing the heat is essential, as an engine temperature that’s too high can cause major damage to your engine. In time, the radiator can become damaged, and it’s time to visit your Ford dealer for a radiator repair. These are a few signs that your radiator needs to be fixed.
Signs You Need a Radiator Repair at Your Ford Dealer
Coolant Leak
One of the most obvious signs of a radiator problem is leaking coolant. Coolant is a mixture of antifreeze and water, and its job is to transfer engine heat to the radiator for dispersal. When your engine temperature reaches a predetermined point, coolant is released and pumped through the engine at high speed. As the coolant passes off hot components, it absorbs the heat radiating from them.
Coolant leaks are most commonly caused by worn or damaged seals. They can also happen due to a rusted radiator, or a damaged radiator hose. Leaking coolant will drop the pressure in the cooling system, which slows down the movement of the remaining coolant. The consequence of this is that your engine temperature will rise sharply. We will fix this problem by finding the source of the leak and repairing it.
Jammed Thermostat
As we saw above, coolant is released when the engine temperature reaches a certain level. The thermostat monitors the engine temperature and opens to release the coolant at the set temperature. Once engine temperature drops below the preset level, coolant is withdrawn from your engine and the thermostat closes again.
A worn thermostat can jam in an open or closed position. If the thermostat is jammed open, it releases coolant regardless of the engine temperature. In this case, your engine temperature will be lower than it should be for peak performance. As a result of this, your engine will use more gas. If the thermostat is jammed closed, no coolant will be released, and your engine temperature will soar. Once we replace the thermostat, your engine temperature will return to normal.
Broken Water Pump
The water pump function is to pump coolant through your engine. The pump starts up as soon as coolant is released, and it continues to work until the engine temperature falls below its set temperature. The pump will also vary its speed to ensure the engine temperature is kept under control.
A broken water pump is serious. If the pump isn’t working, the coolant won’t be able to move. Without fast-moving coolant to keep the engine temperature in check, your engine will overheat. We can easily replace the water pump to fix this problem.
Any radiator problem can cause long-term engine damage. Call us ASAP at Oliver Ford, and we’ll fix your radiator.
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