3 Signs You May Need a Radiator Repair at Your Chrysler Dealer

The radiator in your Chrysler has the important job of removing heat from your car’s engine. The hot, pressurized environment of your engine can lead to radiator damage. When you need a radiator repair, your Chrysler dealer can help you. These are a few signs that you may need a repair.

Damaged Radiator Cap

The radiator cap fits on the top of your radiator. The cap serves to control the pressure in the cooling system and prevent a coolant leak. The cap is secured in place by two seals. The cooling system operates under high pressure and at high speed. The liquid in the system can be extremely hot. If the pressure in the system rises too high, the cap opens to bleed off some of this pressure, and then it closes.

We routinely check the cap and seals as part of your car’s scheduled service. In time, the seals can wear and this can lead to a leak. Pressurized coolant can escape from the cap and leak into your engine. The water in the coolant can cause rust in your engine. Our technicians can check the cap and seals, and replace any parts that are damaged.

Damaged Radiator Fins

The heat generated by your engine is absorbed by the coolant and is then taken to the radiator to be cooled. When the fluid reaches the radiator, it’s pumped into rows of thin metal tubes. These aluminum tubes, however, can be easily damaged.

The air that flows in through your radiator grille contains dirt, grit, and other materials. The thin aluminum tubes can be damaged by even a small piece of grit. As more tubes are damaged, your radiator will have increasing difficulty cooling the hot coolant. The damaged tubes will also prevent the coolant from leaving the radiator.

Worn Hose Clamps

The radiator has two strong rubber hoses that connect it to your cooling system. These hoses are secured onto the radiator by strong metal clamps. These clamps ensure that the hoses remain attached to the radiator despite the constant flow of hot, pressurized coolant through the hoses. Without the clamps, the movement of the hoses would cause the hoses to separate from the radiator.

Over time, these clamps can rust or suffer metal fatigue. They can also loosen due to the constant movement of the hoses. A loose or worn clamp can lead to coolant loss if they fail to keep the hoses in position. Hot, pressurized coolant can then spray into your engine and cause damage.

If your radiator isn’t working as well as it should, call our service department right away at Pearl CDJR.

Tags: Car Radiator 101, How Do I Know When I Need A Radiator Repair?, Pearl CJDR, Peotone IL, What To Look Out For
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