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ARE YOU HAVING RADIATOR PROBLEMS OR OVER HEATING ?
Mr. Tire And Wheel can also replace or repair your radiator and diagnose your cooling sytem for potential problems. If you live in the Anderson SC area come visit us at 722 Hwy 28 Bypass Anderson South Carolina 29625
To properly diagnose your overheating problem we need look at a few basic things.
First: Is there enough coolant/antifreeze in the radiator? Don't just look inside the plastic overflow bottle, but remove the radiator cap MAKE SURE THE ENGINE IS COOL and look inside the radiator. You should be able to see the fluid level if it is at its proper level. Most cars and trucks will hold 1 1/2 or 2 gallons of coolant and water mixture. If you have to add more than a pint of fluid you should have the cooling system pressure tested for a leak. If you see any obvious fluid loss on the ground or in the around the engine compartment, you should also have the system tested for leaks.
Second: If no coolant leak or low fluid level is present, then determine when the overheating problem occurs.
If the engine overheats while at a stop or idle only:
Most front wheel drive cars use an electric cooling fan motor located in front or behind the radiator. The function of the cooling fan is to improve airflow across the radiator at stops and low speeds. The fan is controlled by sensors that regulate the engine temperature and additional load that might be placed on the engine.
The air conditioning compressor will require the cooling fan to operate at idle as long as the compressor is on. A quick way to check the cooling fan operation is to turn on the air conditioner. The cooling fan should come on with the air conditioner compressor. Some cars will have two electric fans, one is for the radiator and the other is the air conditioner ( condenser fan ). Usually the radiator fan is closer to the middle of the radiator. The radiator fan is responsible for engine cooling, and the condenser fan is responsible for increasing air conditioning efficiency at idle and low speed keeping you a/c cold
If your vehicle does not have an electric cooling fan on the radiator it will have a belt driven fan blade and fan clutch. This fan should be pulling a large amount of warm to hot air across the radiator onto the engine. What you want to determine with either fan situation is that there is ample airflow across the radiator at idle. The radiator is the primary heat exchange for the engine, and airflow is crucial. it helps keep the engine cool and not running hot if your radiator fan is not working proberly or the fan cluth is week you will have proper air flow . a fan cluth going out will sound like a jet engine .
What if the engine overheats while at high speeds on the freeway?
Again, airflow and coolant circulation are crucial. At 55 MPH we can assume you have ample airflow across the radiator, so proper antifreeze circulation is the thing to inspect. At 55MPH the water pump is pumping a large amount of hot antifreeze throughout the cooling system.
If there is a restriction in the system like a kinked radiator hose, a restricted radiator, or a stuck thermostat. Rust and water calcification can accumulate in the radiator and drastically reduce the flow of coolant at high speeds. Removing the radiator from the vehicle for disassembly and cleaning or radiator replacement are the only two real cures for a clogged radiator.
Using a can of "radiator flush" additive might help as preventive maintenance, but will probably just be a waste of time and money trying to correct a restricted radiator. the best thing we can do is have the radiator flushed out or even boiled out in a acid bath . if the radiator is to bad to have these steps done than we will be stuck replacing the radiator .
If you have any more question please give Mr.Tire & Wheel a call at 864-261-3609 or just come see us at 722 Hwy 28 Bypass Anderson SC 29625
