A car’s engine generates immense heat as it burns fuel, and this heat has to be removed or critical parts of the engine can be damaged. Your radiator’s function is to remove that heat and keep your
car at a safe operating temperature. The radiator will age and start to fail. These are some of the signs to look out for that you may need a radiator repair, and as your Mazda dealer, we will fix it for you.
How to Tell If Your Mazda Needs a Radiator Repair By Your Mazda Dealer
Trapped Air in the System
Your engine needs a huge amount of airflow to cool it down. It is possible that air can get into the cooling system, and if that happens it can slow the flow of coolant through the engine. A reduced flow of coolant will result in the engine temperature rising. Our technicians will investigate, and bleed the air out if that is the issue.
A Broken Water Pump
The water pump circulates coolant under high pressure through the cooling system. As with any mechanical part, it may fail and if it does coolant will no longer flow through the engine. A buzzing or whining sound from the engine could be a sign that the pump pulley has a problem or that there is a loose bearing in the pump itself. A water pump is easy for us to replace, and it will help to prevent engine damage.
Contaminated Coolant
Old, unchanged coolant or rust in the radiator can contaminate the coolant. This will lead to a sediment buildup, and the coolant will turn into sludge which can block the cooling system. We would, unfortunately, have to replace your radiator but this will prevent more serious damage to your engine. One of the ways to prevent this contamination is to ensure that the coolant is changed regularly according to your car’s service schedule.
Malfunctioning Thermostat
The thermostat is a regulator that usually sits between the radiator and the engine. It is designed to release coolant when the engine temperature reaches a certain preset point. This coolant will flow through the engine and reduce the temperature. A worn thermostat will fail, and can then stick in either an open or closed position. If it is in the open position, coolant will continually flow through your engine which will keep it colder than it should be and you will use more fuel. If the thermostat is closed, it won’t release any coolant and your engine temperature will rise into the redline very quickly.
The thought of being stuck on the side of the road with steam billowing from the engine is a very scary one. As you have seen some of the signs of a potential radiator problem, this is now unlikely to happen. If your engine temperature rises too high, call us immediately at Tom Bush Mazda. Our technicians are perfectionists, and we will ensure your car is safely and speedily repaired for you.
Connect with us
