Hello, my name is Roy. For many years, I drove a 1976 Ford estate car around Sydney. The car had belonged to my grandpa. It was passed down to me when I had just passed my driving test at the age of 18. That was in 1986 and the car was already in a pretty bad condition then. Fast forward to 2006 and I was now aged 38 and still driving the same car around. Sometimes the car wouldn't start, white smoke came out of the exhaust and the gearbox made a terrible sound. I did my best to patch it up, but eventually, I had to scrap the car and buy a new one. I decided to start a blog to encourage others to service their cars.
Radiator leaks aren't an unusual problem -- in fact, the majority of truck or car owners can expect to deal with this issue at some point. Your radiator helps your engine temperatures stay stable, so it's especially important that you watch out for signs of a leak. If you can recognise the indicators of a radiator leak early, you can avoid an overheated engine -- and possibly a costly engine replacement. Here are the signs that you should look out for.
You Need to Add Coolant Frequently
Whilst it's normal for your coolant levels to decrease over time, particularly during the warmer months when the air conditioner is in near-constant use, adding coolant constantly is a trouble sign. If you've noticed that the air conditioner isn't blowing as cold as usual and that you need to add coolant every week or two, there's something causing your coolant to drop -- and that's likely a radiator leak.
You See Puddles on the Pavement
Whilst puddles on the pavement can indicate several different kinds of leaks, you can recognise a radiator leak by its colour. Radiator fluid is typically a brilliant green in colour. If you see brown or blackish colour fluid, that's likely a motor oil leak. Reddish colour fluid is usually a transmission leak whilst blue colour fluid is usually windscreen wiper fluid.
The Temperature Keeps Rising
If you keep noticing that your temperature gauge is rising -- even if it doesn't quite reach the "danger" zone -- it means your engine is growing too hot. The most likely cause of this is insufficient coolant, and that usually means that the coolant is being discharged somewhere other than the engine. Whilst a leak inside the radiator is usually the cause, there may also be times when the coolant is leaking out through the hoses that lead to the radiator. You can often identify a hose leak visually, but if the leak is inside the radiator only a professional can do the disassembly and examination to find it.
If you notice any of the indicators above, it's important that you respond straight away. A healthy radiator is absolutely crucial to the operation of your engine -- and to your truck as a whole. The longer that a radiator leak is ignored, the more often that the engine will overheat. Eventually, the engine could be destroyed by a radiator leak if you don't take care of it. If you suspect a radiator leak in your truck, contact your local truck radiator repair provider for help today.
Share13 March 2018
