4 Signs Your Chevrolet May Be in Need of a Radiator Repair

You should always visit your Fairfax, VA Chevy dealer when you’re having an issue with your vehicle. We’d love to help you repair any issue that comes up, and this includes radiator problems. However, you’ll need to learn the signs that you need a radiator repair before you swing by, so take a look below to see what those are.

Your Vehicle Is Overheating

Your vehicle will overheat if your radiator isn’t functioning as it should be. The temperature gauge will start climbing if your vehicle is overheating, and you need to keep an eye on it at all times. Pull over if it’s climbing quickly and shut your vehicle off immediately.

Unfortunately, it’s easy to neglect your temperature gauge in favor of keeping an eye on other important driving stats. If this happens, then you’ll notice that you’re overheating when steam starts coming out from under the hood. Now you know you definitely need to pull over. Shut the vehicle off, pop the hood, stand back, and call a tow truck. Be careful not to touch anything under the hood while you wait as your engine is going to be scorching hot.

Your Engine Is Discolored or Rusty 

Rusty or discolored spots are a sign that coolant is squirting out and landing on the hot parts of your engine or radiator. Your engine and radiator are much hotter than the coolant, so the liquid evaporates rapidly, and it leaves the discolored spots in its wake. Seeing these discolored spots is a sign that you have a coolant leak going on.

However, if the spots are rusty, then it means that this leak has been going on for a while. The discolored spots eventually start to rust, so you definitely need to get your vehicle checked out soon.

You Notice a Coolant Puddle

A puddle of fluid near your vehicle is always a sign that you have a fluid leak. Coolant is thankfully easy to recognize, as it’s bright pink, yellow, or green in color. You won’t mistake it for a different fluid in your vehicle. It also smells sweet, and the sweet smell attracts pets and local wildlife. The coolant is toxic if consumed, so make sure you clean up this puddle ASAP.

Call a tow truck to take you to the dealer, as you don’t want to drive when there’s not enough coolant in your vehicle.

You Have a Falling Coolant Level

You can also tell that you have a leak if your coolant level is falling quickly. Checking your fluid levels regularly will ensure you get to know how quickly they usually drop. It’ll be easy to notice a rapidly falling fluid level once you’re used to checking on your fluid levels.

A rapidly falling coolant level can indicate other issues with your radiator, too, so don’t assume that a leak is your only problem. Get your technician to check out the cooling system in full. You want to work with a technician who’s caring and thorough, and our dealership has plenty of expert technicians with those attributes.

Schedule a service appointment at Jim McKay Chevrolet in Fairfax, VA when you have an issue with your Chevrolet’s radiator. We want to get your vehicle back in perfect working condition!

Posted in Fairfax Chevrolet Service | No Comments »