No driver wants to face an overheating engine. Excessive heat can warp the cylinder heads, blow the head gasket, and cause a variety of damage. Fortunately, there are always warning signs that your engine is getting too hot too quickly. Your friendly Chrysler dealer in Fulton, NY, is here to help you with a radiator repair. These are a few warning signs that your radiator may have a problem.
Loose Hose Clamps
Your radiator is connected to the cooling system by two thick rubber hoses. These hoses fit securely onto the radiator casing, and strong metal clamps ensure the hoses are sealed against leaks. These measures are vital, as the cooling system operates at high speed and under great pressure. The hoses are flexible, as they must accommodate the movement of hot coolant.
Over time, the hose clamps can loosen. Loose clamps can be caused by wear and the constant movement of the hoses as they flex when coolant passes through them. The rubber hoses can also slightly shrink as they age, which loosens the clamps. Loose clamps can allow the high-pressure coolant to escape the system and cause a leak. Our technicians can tighten the clamps or replace them if they’re damaged.
Worn Thermal Switch
The heat produced by your engine is removed by airflow over the radiator tubes. The hot coolant is pumped into these tubes, and the airflow through the radiator grille blows across them to cool the liquid. As your car moves faster airflow increases, and the coolant cools faster. If your engine is idling, however, airflow through the grille is greatly reduced.
When your engine is on and your car isn’t moving, the radiator fan at the rear of your radiator switches on. The fan blows air across the tubes and forces the heat out of the grille. The fan is controlled by the thermal switch, which recognizes the increased temperature and turns the fan on. If the thermal switch fails, the fan won’t switch on, and your engine will start overheating. We’ll replace the worn switch to fix this problem.
Jammed Thermostat
Coolant is released into your engine in response to the increasing temperature caused by combustion. When the engine temperature reaches a preset level, usually around 185F, the thermostat will note the increased temperature and open to release coolant. This small valve can jam, and if this happens, your engine can overheat.
A thermostat that jams closed won’t release any coolant, regardless of the engine temperature. Our technicians can replace a worn thermostat, and your cooling system will work effectively again.
If your engine is getting hot, call us at Longley Bros. Our Chrysler experts will fix the problem.
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