Keeping your engine cool is very important to prevent overheating. An important part of the car engine’s cooling system is the radiator. When your radiator gets damaged, it can greatly compromise your engine’s cooling system, increasing the risk of overheating or engine failure.
Being able to detect a problematic radiator before it fails is important, regardless of what model of the car you are using. In this article, you’ll learn about the symptoms of a clogged radiator and what you can do about it.
Blocked Radiator Symptoms Explained
Knowing how to tell if
1. Leaking coolant
When fluids, most especially radiator coolant, start leaking from the radiator, it is a strong sign that your radiator has a clog. While it is also possible that your radiator has a leak or rupture, it is still possible that your radiator is blocked when there are leaks. If your radiator fluid cannot flow properly, it has to flow somewhere else, which manifests as leaks. As such, when there's a coolant leak, you always got to consider a possible radiator clog.
2. Water pump damage
As part of the engine’s cooling system, the water pump is directly connected to the radiator. If the pump or the water line is starting to show leaks and other signs of damage, it might be caused by a radiator clog. This is because of blockages increasing the pressure on the fluid lines, which can cause the pump and/or the lines to leak or even break. If your water pump is damaged, make sure to check the radiator as well.
3. Increased temperature readings
A car may not show abject signs of overheating right away, but you can see the temperature build-up even at the level of the gauges. If you see your car’s temperature gauge rising way above its usual readings, there can only be 2 possible problems: the gauge may be broken or your engine is indeed overheating. And when your engine is overheating, chances are that components in your cooling system such as the radiator are failing.
4. Changes in coolant
Radiator coolants may undergo changes when it’s unable to flow properly and is exposed to erroneously high temperatures due to blockage. Make sure to check your coolant every once in a while. If your coolant is discolored or carries a different consistency, you might be dealing with a damaged radiator. When your fluid contains rust, has a sludge-like consistency, or dirty-looking, you might be dealing with a radiator clog or other more serious problems.
Also Read: oil in my coolant reservoir
5. Altered coolant levels
It’s not just the quality of the coolant that you have to look at when investigating for possible radiator damage. You also have to look at the quantity of the coolant present. If there are significant changes in the coolant levels, especially if you have just replaced the fluid, it might be a telling sign that you are dealing with a leak. If the fluid is too low or too high, you would need to check the radiator as well as the coolant lines for leaks.
How to unclog a radiator?
Once you have identified that your radiator is clogged, what can you do next? You are not entirely defenseless when your radiator gets clogged, and knowing what to do can make a difference between a fixed radiator and a blown engine. Once you’ve seen bad radiator signs, it is best to take action as soon as possible. Here are some of the steps you can do to deal with a bad radiator and get back on the road the fastest possible time.
1. Park your car properly
Your car must be parked properly before having it fixed. It is a basic rule in just about every kind of DIY car repair. Park with an even surface, letting the engine cool down first before doing anything else. A car with a damaged radiator can get extremely hot and may even spew liquid and steam, causing harm to anyone who comes close. While letting your car cool down, you can inspect for the presence of leaks or structural damage to your radiator.
2. Flush out the coolant
This is a fundamental step in maintaining your car’s cooling system. When you sense trouble, drain out the coolant present in your radiator. Changes in fluid levels and consistency is a sign of a leak or other radiation issues, so make sure to check it. Just make sure that you collect and dispose of the coolant properly as it is toxic and potentially hazardous to the environment!
3. Flush the radiator
Flushing the radiator will not just help in cleaning up the water/fluid lines of your radiator, but it will also expose the presence of possible radiator leaks. To do this, drain the fluid from the radiator. Once drained, fill it up with water. Let the engine run for a bit, and then drain the fluid once again. Repeating this sequence 3-5 times should be enough to flush out your radiator.
4. Seal possible leaks
Once leaks are detected, it is time to take action right away. There are products available on the market that allow you to temporarily cover holes in radiators. While they are by no means a permanent fix for a damaged radiator, it should provide enough coverage for you to either drive home or go to the nearest mechanic.
Conclusion
When you are dealing with a bad radiator, the best thing to do is take action right away. Not doing something about it can leave you prone to overheating, which can seriously damage your engine. If you are seeing symptoms of a clogged radiator, it is important to look for the cause of the clog and other related damage. If the problem persists or if you’re not sure what to do, finding a mechanic is the most sensible cause.
James is a certified auto technician specializing in commercial vehicles. With 30 years of experience under his belt, James has encountered almost every type of automotive issue there is! Besides his day job at the repair shop, he is also an amateur race car driver.