Radiator Repairs and Coolant Flush in Tauranga
A car’s basic cooling system is made up of the radiator, radiator hoses, housings and connections, water pump, heater core, thermostat and a cooling fan. Each has a different function:
- Radiator: Coolant that is passed through the engine is then pumped through the radiator tubes, cooled off and recirculated through the system.
- Radiator hoses: Rubber hoses transfer the coolant fluid from one location to another and need to be checked regularly and replaced before they become brittle and cracked.
- Water pump: This water pump circulates the coolant through the system. The pump is usually driven by either a drive belt or sometimes by the engine’s camshaft-timing belt.
- Thermostat: The thermostat controls the coolant circulation rate to ensure your engine maintains a constant operating temperature. If the thermostat fails to operate correctly, it could cause increased engine wear, poor fuel economy or even an overheated engine – resulting in costly repairs.
- Electric cooling fan: Electric fans are used for either primary or added cooling. The fan draws air through the radiator when you aren't moving fast enough to maintain the optimum engine operating temperature. You’ll often hear the fan when parked in traffic or when the air-conditioning is switched on, as the cooling system requires constant air movement to operate efficiently.
The warning signs
Some of the signs that there are problems with your cooling system include:
- Car overheats
- Puddle of cooling fluid under the car
- Smells hotter or has a different smell than normal
Cooling system repairs
We will carefully examine and test each part of your cooling system and advise you of the required service or repair options.