Does Your Hyundai Need a Radiator Repair?

Your car’s radiator is a vital part of your engine cooling system. Hot coolant flows into the radiator, the coolant is cooled by airflow through the radiator grille, and the coolant flows back to start the cycle again. Without a radiator, your car would not be able to control the temperature in the engine and it would overheat. To prevent serious damage to your car, as your Hyundai dealer in Little Rock, AR we want you to know the signs you may need a radiator repair.

Radiator Rust

Rust on the radiator is caused by leaking fluid in the engine. The cooling system is pressurized and operates at a high temperature, and any damage to the cooling system can cause hot coolant to spray out onto the radiator. The damage could be from a worn radiator cap, a punctured hose, or even damage to the radiator itself. The coolant will dry in the heat of the engine, but it will cause rust that will start to eat into the radiator.

Rust is easy to check by opening the hood and examining your radiator. If you see patches of rust, we will need to replace the radiator.

Failed Water Pump

The water pump pumps coolant throughout the engine to the radiator and back again. All mechanical parts can wear out, and if the water pump fails it will no longer circulate coolant and the engine temperature will rise dramatically. If your car’s temperature rises rapidly, and it’s accompanied by a grinding sound, the most likely cause is a worn pump bearing.

It is quick and inexpensive to replace the pump, and we advise contacting our service department ASAP. An engine that overheats can result in serious and very expensive repairs.

White Exhaust Smoke

Thick White smoke from the exhaust is a sign of a serious coolant leak. Its caused by coolant leaking into the combustion chamber where it burns up and then billows out of the exhaust pipe. Coolant should never enter the combustion chamber, and its presence there means that your engine has been damaged, for example, a blown head gasket or a crack in the engine block The white smoke from the coolant is also very toxic and dangerous.

We advise calling our service department ASAP if you have a coolant leak of this type. Without coolant, your engine is in danger of overheating and this can cause serious and permanent damage to your engine.

A faulty radiator can lead to serious damage to your engine, but there are always warning signs that your radiator is failing. If your engine temperature is too high and you have any of these signs, call our service center immediately at Crain Hyundai of North Little Rock. Our highly trained and certified technicians have the best diagnostic equipment available. We will make all necessary repairs, and if your radiator needs to be replaced we will do that too.

 

Image via Hyundai.

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