Did your car’s radiator just crack, and you don’t know why? Continue reading to find out some common reasons behind a cracked radiator.
The engine is the life and blood of any vehicle. Therefore, it should remain in perfect working condition. To keep your engine running, you should keep it from overheating, and this is where the radiator comes into play. The radiator of your car contains a mixture of coolant and water. If the radiator cracks, your car will break down. In the following paragraphs, we will talk about some common reasons because of which your car radiator can break down.
Let’s break it down.
Rust
The metal inside your radiator can fall prey to rust. As a result, the metal in your radiator starts to crack. There are two reasons why a car’s radiator rusts. First of all, it contains water, and secondly, it is made up of metal.
Thermostat
The thermostat is a crucial component of your car. The radiator in your car has a thermostat, which regulates the amount of fluid that is needed to balance the temperature of your engine. A faulty thermostat is bad for two reasons. Sometimes it results in high coolant pressure, while at other times, it causes overheating. In either of the two scenarios, it can crack your car’s radiator, thus putting you under considerable financial stress.
Low Temperatures
A decline in temperatures during the frigid winter months often results in cracked radiators. Your job is to stay on top of fluid maintenance. When the temperatures drop, the fluid can freeze and then expand. When the frozen fluid continues to expand, it can leave you with a cracked radiator, and that is the last thing you’d ever want.
Summer Heat
The scorching heat of the summer is just as bad for your radiator as the freezing winter months. The heat of the summer makes it difficult for the outside air to cool the radiator down. Even in this scenario, you should maintain the fluid well. If you fail to do so, you will end up with a cracked radiator.
Blown Gasket
A blown head gasket is very bad for your radiator. A blown gasket results in a coolant leak, which goes straight into the crankcase. The leakage affects the spark plugs as well as the engine oil. Discolored motor oil and engine misfires are some of the most common symptoms of a blown gasket. If you don’t address the issue immediately, you might have to bid farewell to your engine.
These were just some of the many reasons behind a cracked radiator. For repairs, seek help from a professional auto mechanic in Berkeley, CA.
