Vehicles five years and older are prime
candidates for cooling system troubles, troubles that could strike when
least expected. NARSA experts report that cooling system service is most
frequent on vehicles with more than 50,000 miles. However, NARSA experts
note that the mileage on a vehicle is not as big a factor in the maintenance
of a cooling system as is the vehicle's age.
An aging vehicle has been exposed over time
to environmental factors that can harm a car's cooling system. Salt from
ocean air, road salt, debris and other chemicals tend to break down the
metal in a radiator core.
The radiator, an integral part of the
cooling system, is designed to protect an engine from the destructive
forces of too much heat. Heat is produced every time a vehicle is driven.
That's why it is so important to have your car's cooling system, especially
the radiator, checked at least once every two years.
Radiator and cooling system specialists
offer a variety of services, including flushing out radiator and cooling
systems, repairing leaks and other damage to copper/brass and
aluminum/plastic radiators, checking thermostats and fixing broken hoses or
cracked belts. They can check for corrosion and debris and often may spot
and address potential problems, helping to prevent emergency car repairs
down the road.
A
vehicle's cooling system is designed to protect the engine from the
destructive forces of too much heat. If the system isn't in good repair,
simple tasks such as sitting idle in rush-hour traffic can cause a vehicle
to overheat even when temperatures drop below the freezing mark.
However, if you do get caught in traffic
and you notice the temperature gauge beginning to rise, the National
Automotive Radiator Service Association (NARSA) says there are some things
you can try to keep your vehicle from overheating.
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Give it a
little gas. This will enable the vehicle to get rid of some of the
engine heat. |
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Turn on the heater. The
heater will draw some of the heat from the engine to the inside of the
vehicle. |
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Turn off the vehicle.
Once you safely have pulled off of the road, turn off the vehicle to
let the engine cool down. |
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Finally, have your
vehicle inspected by a radiator specialist. Radiator specialists have
expertise in targeting cooling system problems, which could range from
a clogged radiator core to low engine coolant to an inoperable engine
fan. |
A
car's engine generates enough heat to destroy itself. The cooling system,
however, protects against damage by keeping the engine within the correct
operating temperature range. That's why preventative cooling system
maintenance is essential in helping to ensure your engine's life.
The National Automotive Radiator Service
Association (NARSA) recommends that motorists have a seven-point
preventative cooling system maintenance check at least once every two years.
The seven-point program is designed to identify any areas that need
attention. It consists of:
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a radiator
pressure cap test to check for the recommended system pressure level |
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a thermostat check for
proper opening and closing |
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a pressure test to
identify any external leaks to the cooling system parts; including the
radiator, water pump, engine coolant passages, radiator and heater
hoses and heater core |
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an internal leak test
to check for combustion gas leakage into the cooling system |
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a visual inspection of
all cooling system components, including belts and hoses |
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a system power flush
and refill with car manufacturer's recommended concentration of
coolant |
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an engine fan test for
proper operation |
By performing regular checks, NARSA
radiator and cooling system specialists can help motorists prevent problems,
emergency repairs and/or replacements, effectively saving the consumer time,
trouble and money.
.
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Flush and repair. The radiator is removed from the vehicle,
cleaned externally using a powerful spray gun and flushed internally.
It is then pressure tested, inspected and repaired as needed. |
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Clean and
repair. In this procedure the radiator is removed from the
vehicle, cleaned externally and flushed internally by immersion in a
specially formulated industrial-strength cleaner. It is then flushed a
second time, pressure tested, inspected and repaired as needed. |
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Rod-out and repair. The radiator is removed, cleaned
externally and flushed internally by immersion. It is then pressure
tested, inspected and repaired as needed. One tank is removed and a
rod is inserted into each tube to remove debris. Once complete, the
radiator is reassembled and tested. |
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Newcore or recore. This technique brings a radiator up to or
as close as possible to its original operating condition by using
restored existing parts in combination with new, rebuilt or
unimpaired parts. It always requires the installation of a new core. |
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Plastic radiator tank and gasket replacements. In this
procedure the radiator is removed from the vehicle and placed in a
special fixture to detach the damaged tank and/or gasket. The tank
and/or gasket is replaced with a readily available new or restored
part. Afterward, the radiator is reassembled and tested. |
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