Is your car’s radiator leaking? Here is how you can tell.
The cooling system in a car comprises of two components, i.e., the radiator and the hoses. The coolant is the fluid that flows through these hoses, thus keeping the engine from overheating. If your radiator leaks, the likelihood of your engine overheating tends to increase, which can result in a variety of problems.
In the following paragraphs, we will take a look at some of the most common signs of a radiator leak. If you notice these warning signs, get your radiator checked by a professional.
Discolored Radiator
One of the most common signs of a leaky radiator is discoloration. All you have to do is to remove the hood and take a look. Find out whether or not there are any unsightly spots or stains on the radiator or the area surrounding the engine. In the event that there is a leakage in the radiator, the coolant will come out and land on the radiator or the areas surrounding the engine. With time, the coolant will evaporate, thus leaving behind stains and some rust.
Low Levels of Coolant
Another common sign of a radiator leak is the low level of coolant. If you want your radiator and your engine to stay in top condition, make sure you divide the maintenance schedule into two parts. First of all, make sure to check the coolant reservoir to find out whether or not it is full or the coolant level has gone below the desired level. Secondly, you must know that if the coolant has reduced since the last time you checked it, it might be escaping. If such is the case, make sure to have your mechanic check the radiator for leaks.
White Smoke
White exhaust smoke is another common sign of a leaky radiator. Sometimes, when there are low levels of coolant in the car, you may see white smoke coming out of the car. This is a sign that the coolant has started burning inside the engine and therefore, you can see white-colored smoke coming out of the tailpipe.
Liquid Coolant
Sometimes, you can see a greenish, sweet-smelling liquid in a puddle under your vehicle. Such puddles allude to a leak within the radiator of your car.
These were some of the most common signs of a radiator leak. Make sure you don’t ignore any of them and have them taken care of by a professional auto repair company in Berkeley, CA.