Overheating is one of the greatest threats to any car’s engine. The cooling system protects against this hazard by circulating coolant which draws out and then dissipates heat through the radiator. Learn 7 important signs that your Mazda needs its radiator serviced. If you ever notice any of these symptoms of radiator trouble, head to your nearest Mazda dealership for radiator service before your engine suffers significant damage.
Climbing Engine Temperature Gauge
Modern Mazda vehicles have advanced systems to monitor engine heat and let you know the current temperature through a dial on your dashboard. If you ever see the engine temperature gauge creeping upward into the red, pull over and try to figure out what’s causing the overheating; it might be a fault in the radiator.
Ticking Sounds from the Engine
When an engine becomes dangerously hot, friction builds and certain engine parts expand, causing components to struggle against each other. This often results in odd ticking or thumping sounds, which should never be ignored.
Sudden Loss of Engine Power
While overheating, your engine will also rapidly lose power. You’ll find that you can’t accelerate as quickly as usual, and you may be unable to reach sufficient speeds on the highway.
Coolant Puddling Under Your Car
Radiators can sometimes leak coolant, which will prevent the cooling system from working effectively. In the case of a leak, you might notice a brightly colored fluid puddling under your car.
Internal or External Radiator Rust
You can visually examine your radiator for signs of damage or corrosion. Radiators are sometimes susceptible to rust. It’s best to clean away any rust you find unless it’s so extensive that the radiator needs to be replaced.
It’s also possible for radiators to rust on the inside, which sometimes happens when coolant degrades and loses its anti-corrosion properties. If your radiator has internal rust, the coolant inside the transparent reservoir will gradually become rusty brown in hue.
Damaged Radiator Fins
The fins of a radiator allow the coolant to efficiently release heat. If the fins of your radiator have become clogged up with dirt, leaves, mulch, or other debris, clean it away to allow cool air to flow between the fins. However, if any of the fins have been damaged by stray stones or an impact, the whole radiator might have to go.
Your Mazda Dealer Finds a Fault
Routine servicing is important for proper radiator maintenance. You should have your cooling system periodically serviced by an experienced technician. While inspecting and pressure-testing the radiator’s various parts, the technician will find and fix any faults before they cause a more serious problem
Have your radiator inspected, repaired, or replaced today at Auffenberg Mazda of O’Fallon in Shiloh, IL. Our full-service dealership serves as a dependable one-stop shop for all your Mazda-related needs.
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