Radiator Repair Services
How Radiators Work
Your vehicle’s radiator helps keep your engine cool. Overheated engines can lead to numerous problems, including eventual breakdowns. Your vehicle’s radiator sits at the front of the engine bay. It’s made up of slim, hollow channels that run between the inlet and outlet tanks. Coolant is pumped through tubes and all around the hot engine and absorbing much of the heat from the engine block. From the hot engine the near boiling coolant goes to the radiator, where the hot flowing liquid is cooled from the cool passing air over the radiator. The cooled liquid cycles back through the engine, where it absorbs more heat and the process is repeated. This cycle allows the engine to keep working at ideal temperatures. If your car is experiencing problems with the radiator, bring it by Sunshine Auto Repair for radiator repair in El Cajon, CA. Give us a call at (619) 444-1696 if you have questions or concerns about your car, or if you need a complimentary tow to our shop.
Do you need a new Radiator?
If your vehicle overheats, you may need radiator repair. An elevated temperature gauge is a big sign that your radiator might be malfunctioning. Puddles of green, yellow or orange coolant under your car could indicate that there is a radiator leak, which could be caused by corrosion. If you notice any of these signs, bring your vehicle to Sunshine Auto Repair so our licensed mechanics can see what’s ailing your cars radiator. El Cajon, CA is not a great place to let your car’s engine get too hot. The repercussions of driving your vehicle around with improperly functioning radiator could cause catastrophic damage to your engine. Our team of experts can fix leaks or replace your radiator so you can get back on the road.
Maintain Coolant Levels
Just by checking your Radiator Coolant Levels and inspecting your car for leaking you can avoid most radiator problems before the metastasize into a bigger and more expensive nightmare. Quite often people simply forget to check for proper coolant levels, this can put significant strain on the radiator and cause it to overheat or corrode the radiator fins. It is always prudent to check for proper coolant levels before a long trip or during your monthly/weekly maintenance check. Older cars should generally inspected more often. It is also recommended that you get a radiator coolant flush every two years. Another problem that arises from time to time is a collapsed bottom radiator hose. A collapsed radiator hose generally occurs when the hose has degraded over time or a slight vacuum has formed due to the expansion and contraction of the coolant.
How long do car & truck radiators last?
Most auto mechanics feel that a properly maintained radiator should last for at least eight to 10 years. Older metal radiators, when well maintained, can last for the life of the car, but modern radiators are mostly made from plastic rather than metal, and plastic expands and contracts as the radiator heats and cools.
Can I put water in my Car’s Radiator?
Water will boil and evaporate in a hot temperature range, coolant DOES NOT! The antifreeze (aka: Coolant) is known to stay in the liquid state at greater temperature variations. This fact alone explains why you can’t replace coolant with water. Emergency driving may warrant it but you are taking your car’s life into your own hands. It is permissable to use A MAJORITY OF ANTIFREEZE AND A MINORITY OF WATER. It’s not optimal, but it will work. Always read the manufacturer’s requirements of your vehicle before attempting any home maintenance. Some coolant concentrates allow you to combine a mixture of coolant and water. Make sure you know what you are buying first.