The Symptoms of a clogged or Bad Radiator can be recognizable. also, it has to be replaced when damaged. The diagnosis must be correctly done because sometimes you may pay extra for no reason. Clogged Radiator Symptoms are as follows,
1 – High-Temperature Reading in the instrument panel ( Dashboard )
2 – Coolant Leakage anywhere from the coolant system.
3 – Changed coolant Properties viz. color and thickness.
4 – Blocked Radiator fins due to sludge in the coolant.
5 – Damaged Radiator can cause the coolant flow restriction.
6 – Water Pump Failure because there is a lack of coolant to circulate.
7 – Heater Mode Failure due to the hot coolant is not passing through the heater cores.
The main function of the radiator is to cool down the engine. The engine gets heated while it is in running condition, it needs to be cooled as there are many harms to engine parts.
Before you go into any conclusion, you should be familiar with symptoms which are easily known by your own understanding whether you are a mechanic or not? So the following reading is just about the clogged radiator and their detailed study of symptoms.
1. High-Temperature reading
Firstly you can check your car’s temperature gauge inside. If the gauge shows high reading immediately after the little running of the vehicle and if the temperature stays regularly on that high side, then you should be aware of that and show your vehicle to the nearest car service station.
A high reading is above 80 degrees and the gauge is in between red zone on the meter. Now some vehicles come with a digital meter. It displays the direct temperature.
After such knowledge, there is the possibility of a clogged radiator.
2. Coolant leakage
If you find any coolant leakage underneath your car, there may be various reasons for that. One of the reasons may be a clogged radiator because, if the coolant isn’t circulated through the radiator, it can damage hose pipes by continuously raised temperature. In such a case, either hose or radiator is leaked and coolant drops on the ground. One can easily see that drops after moving a car from parking or if the car is in running condition.
3. Changed Coolant Properties
You can also check the radiator clogging just by seeing the color or thickness of the coolant. If the proper circulation of the coolant does not occur within the system then coolant does not remain with suitable properties. This circulation is restricted by a clogged radiator. If the color or thickness of the coolant is changed, then you must change the coolant with the use of the radiator flush.
4. Blocked radiator fins
The radiator contains a matrix type structure with small fins in which coolant flows. Because of sludge or any slurry formed in a radiator, fins get either corrosion or blockage. Coolant may leak from those corrosive holes or circulation of coolant may stop.
The sludge can be formed by using dirty coolant, low-level coolant or if coolant is not changed on scheduled maintenance.
5. Damaged radiator
This is one of the main symptoms of a clogged radiator. If any accident happened to your car or external impact is occurred on the radiator, it results in damaged fins. Once fins get damaged then either circulation stops or leakage starts. In this case, there will be a condition for replacing your radiator.
6. Water Pump Failure
If the Radiator is choked up or clogged then the coolant either starts to leak or gets the flow restriction. Due to this, Water Pump does not work efficiently with a lack of coolant. after a while, Water Pump failure may occur.
7. Heater Mode Failure
You can feel the warm air inside the vehicle just by putting the heater mode on. if Heater mode is not working then it may be the chance of clogged radiator because heater requires hot coolant to set flowing the hot air. Bad Radiator also causes the flow restriction of hot coolant.
Cost for Radiator replacement
1 – Cost is varied according to the brand by brand. The general range is between 4-10K Indian rupees.
2 – It should be costly if you get it with original replacement from the dealership’s service station.
3 – A local or unbranded radiator has a relatively lower cost and works with your car’s system but it doesn’t come with the original one’s quality.
4 – Labor charges are also there and about 1-1.5 hours it takes for replacement.
You can also read- Honda Amaze gets a 4-star rating in the Global NCAP crash test.
