Cooling system failure is the most common mechanical failure in vehicles according to one automotive source. Fixing it can range anywhere from a miniature cost to very expensive. It is an important part of vehicle maintenance  to regularly check and replace coolant and have inspections on your cooling system. Regardless of the cost of fixing your cooling system, it can still be an avoidable inconvenience for any driver.

Before you can look for or recognize any problems with your cooling system, it is important to know its basic features which are a radiator, fan, water pump, thermostat, a sensor or two, an overflow tank, water, coolant, and a series of belts, clamps and hoses to connect it all together and make it run. The system works by directing fluid past the hottest parts of your engine (the cylinder heads and valves), then redirecting that fluid out to the radiator, where the heat collected from the cylinder heads gets dissipated into the cooler atmosphere. Then, the flow repeats itself.

What could go wrong? A number of things could potentially happen within the cooling system but preventative maintenance  and a trusted auto repair shop you could avoid major issues and expenses. For example, the system can spring a leak. If you notice that your vehicle is running warmer than usual, park it, turn off the engine, and look underneath. Do you see a greenish-looking fluid on the ground underneath your car? If so, open the hood. Any funny noises? A leaky cooling system on the boil will make a distinctive whistling sound, like a teakettle getting ready to scream. Likewise, if the fan kicks in but the temp continues to climb, you may have a bad thermostat.

Most cooling system repairs are not going to break the bank completely, but are not good for the vehicle to be left untended. Discovering and fixing a leaking radiator, a faulty hose connection, a sticking thermostat or other cooling system component that’s on “borrowed time” can save the life of one’s engine.  Additionally, overheating can damage valve guides, scuff pistons, crask cylinder heads, and crush head gaskets. Get your vehicle in for some preventative maintenance and a cooling system inspection today before your vehicle loses it’s cool.