Radiator problems could leave your family stranded

A vehicle's radiator is like a distant relative—out of sight, seldom heard, rarely discussed until something goes wrong.

"A radiator can last the lifetime of your vehicle as long as you replace coolant at manufacturer suggested intervals," said Paul DeGuiseppi, manger of service training at the Mobile Air Conditioning Society. "Otherwise you could get corrosion and have to replace it or other components of your cooling system."

The basic principal and design of radiators have changed little since they first were introduced on the earliest automobiles. They use tanks, tubes and cooling fins. The water pump passes fluid through the tubes, where heat is dispersed through the fins. Today, most of the tanks are made of plastic and aluminum.

Coolant is the lifeblood of a radiator, DeGuiseppi said. Since every vehicle manufacturer has its own specifications, just adding water or any type of coolant may harm your vehicle performance.

"Coolant additives break down with age and coolant must be replaced as part of basic maintenance," DeGuiseppi said. "Using the wrong coolant or the wrong coolant mixture can lead to corrosion."

Particles of rust may clog or damage the water pump as well as the radiator. Eventually, rust may lead to radiator leaks and engine overheating. Fortunately, radiator problems usually are preventable through routine maintenance and inspection.

Breakdowns seem to happen at the worst times—when you're in a rush, on vacation, traveling far from home.

DeGuiseppi suggested the following steps for maintaining radiator and cooling systems in your vehicle:

• If your car has an electric engine cooling fan (most now do), turn the air conditioning on "high," wait a few seconds, and listen. If you don't hear anything, there could be a problem.

• Check fan belts for wear. Old belts can give out any time and leave you stranded with an overheated engine.

• Clean off your radiator. Bugs, grit and grime can interfere with its cooling abilities.

• Inspect coolant levels in the radiator overflow tank (never remove the cap while the engine is hot). Ask service representatives if you need to top off before your next trip and what kind of fluid to use.

• Review your vehicle maintenance guidelines for frequency of coolant change. If you're past due or at the recommended interval, take your vehicle in for service.

"Radiator fluid level should not change noticeably," DeGuiseppi said. "If it does, that means you have a leak or damage somewhere in the system. Get it looked at right away before it leads to a more serious problem."

Article by Jay Alling, editor of Sensible Driver. Write to jay@sensibledriver.com.