The best way to determine when your cooling system needs to be serviced is to check your owner’s manual. This will list your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation. Generally, this recommendation is every 30,000 miles. As such, call our shop every 30,000 miles to schedule a cooling system service for your automobile. Here are signs that your cooling system needs some TLC.
The System Is Leaking
If you have coolant spots or puddles on the garage floor, your cooling system is leaking. Coolant can leak out of the radiator, the radiator hoses, the overflow reservoir, the water pump, or the thermostat. It is important to have the leak found and fixed right away to avoid a low coolant level in the engine. If the coolant level gets too low, your engine will overheat.
The System Is Clogged
If your engine is overheating yet you don’t have a coolant leak, it’s possible that the cooling system is clogged. Unfortunately, dirt and sediment buildup inside the cooling system over the 30,000 miles between services. Part of a cooling system service is to flush out the system to remove this dirt and sediment. We can inspect your system to see if it is clogged.
The Water Pump Is Bad
Another sign that your cooling system needs to be serviced is a faulty water pump. This part lasts approximately 100,000 miles before it goes bad. Some pumps last longer than this. Either way, when the pump goes bad, it may be unable to move the coolant through the engine. Consequently, again, you will end up with an overheating engine when you drive your automobile.
The Thermostat Is Bad
The same thing is true if the thermostat goes bad. This is the part that determines the engine’s temperature and opens a valve to let coolant into the engine once the engine gets too hot. The thermostat also has a 100,000-mile lifespan. After this time, you are at a high risk of losing the thermostat to wear and tear. Do not worry. We can replace it.
The Radiator Is Damaged
Finally, your cooling system needs to be serviced if the radiator gets damaged. The radiator is located directly behind your vehicle’s grille. Consequently, this opens it up to damage by road debris. In addition, the bottom of the radiator can corrode over time and start to leak.
Call us today so we can work with your schedule to set up an appointment that is convenient for you. We will inspect your cooling system and repair any problems.
