3 Signs You Need Radiator Service 

Your car’s radiator is a vital part of your Toyota’s cooling system. Your engine generates vast amounts of heat, and the radiator acts as a heat exchange where the heat is removed to prevent engine damage. Over time, the radiator can become worn or damaged, and the cooling system will falter. As your Toyota dealer, we want to tell you a few signs you need to visit us for a radiator service.

Leaking Coolant

Coolant is a 50:50 mixture of water and antifreeze. It’s pumped through your engine at high speed, absorbing heat from the hot components as it moves. The heat is transported to your radiator, where the coolant enters rows of horizontal metal tubes. Air flows in through the radiator grille and over the tubes, removing the heat so the coolant can circulate again.

The cooling system operates under high pressure, and worn seals can fail, allowing coolant to escape. As your engine loses coolant, the temperature will rise as the remaining coolant slows down. A coolant leak is easily identifiable, as this liquid is brightly colored pink, orange, blue, or green. If you find a leak, call us ASAP so our technicians can repair it and protect your engine from damage.

Failed Water Pump

The water pump is responsible for pumping coolant through your engine. It varies its speed as needed, speeding up when your engine is too hot and slowing down when the temperature drops. Like any pumping mechanism, the water pump can fail and result in engine damage if it’s not promptly replaced.

If your engine temperature rises for no obvious reason and there’s no sign of a leak, the pump may have failed. Coolant will still be released, but it won’t be able to move, and the engine will start to overheat. We’ll examine the pump and replace it if it’s failed, and your engine temperature will return to normal.

Damaged Radiator Hoses

The radiator is connected to the cooling system by two thick rubber hoses. The hoses are specially designed to carry coolant at temperatures of 300 F or more and do this repeatedly. As time passes, even this tough rubber will lose its flexibility and crack. Cracks in a hose will eventually leak to a leak, and your engine temperature will climb.

Our technicians will examine the hoses and swiftly install new ones, if needed, to fix this problem.

Don’t risk an overheated engine. Contact our service department today at Michael’s Toyota of Bellevue in Bellevue, WA.

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