Oct 14, 2022

The radiator in your Chevrolet Trailblazer, Equinox, or Silverado keeps the components cool and prevents overheating to ensure that your engine runs at ideal temperatures. When there’s something wrong with your radiator, it could cause severe damage to the engine and other important components. If your Chevrolet is overheating, leaking coolant, the fins are clogged, or your radiator is rusty, act fast and get a radiator repair from your Chevrolet dealer.

Close up shot of a radiator being repaired
Image obtained from Google

1. Your Car Is Overheating

Your car’s cooling system consists of a radiator, a water pump, and a thermostat, and when any of these parts malfunctions or breaks, your vehicle will overheat. If your car overheats when idling, there’s something wrong with the radiator fan.

When your car overheats while driving, it could be a faulty thermostat or low coolant levels. When your car overheats, pull over when it’s safe and wait for your car to cool down. Get your vehicle to your Chevrolet technician fast to prevent severe damage to the engine.

2. Your Car Is Leaking Coolant

If you have to top off the coolant more often than usual or if you see bright green, orange, pink, or yellow puddles on the ground under your car, you’ve got a coolant leak. When there’s not enough coolant to keep the engine at ideal temperatures, your vehicle will overheat.

3. The Coolant Is Dirty and Thick

When the coolant gets old, it becomes discolored and thick and turns a brown color. The coolant loses its protective qualities. Corrosion sets in and causes a build-up of scale and sludge throughout the cooling system. The sludge causes a blockage and prevents the coolant from flowing through the system. If you notice that the coolant is not a bright color but brown and of a thicker consistency, it’s contaminated and must be replaced.

4. The Radiator Fins Are Clogged

The radiator fins in front of your car carry hot coolant, and the airflow cools it down. When the fins get blocked with road dirt and debris or damaged by bugs and stones, it stops the airflow, and your car will overheat.

5. The Radiator Is Rusty

Avoid rust at all costs, as it harms your vehicle’s cooling system. When your radiator is rusty, it will contaminate the coolant. The dirty coolant can’t perform the task of keeping the temperature down, and your car will overheat. Rust will also create holes that cause leaks, resulting in low coolant levels that will also cause overheating.

If you struggle with overheating issues, don’t delay. It’s best to fix the problem as soon as possible to prevent engine damage that could lead to expensive repairs and replacements. Call Chevrolet of Ottawa today for a radiator service, and the qualified technicians will thoroughly inspect your vehicle’s radiator and ensure it’s in perfect working condition.