Randy Wise Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Durand

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Mar 25, 2022

Your car’s radiator has the vital function of controlling the temperature in your engine and preventing it from overheating. Without a working radiator, there is no way to reduce an engine’s temperature. Overheating can cause serious, even permanent damage to an engine and this translates into huge repair bills. To keep your engine in good condition your radiator must always work properly. When you need a radiator repair, your Chrysler dealer and Jeep dealer will repair it for you.

Blocked or Damaged Radiator Fins

When the engine temperature rises, coolant is released into the system to absorb the heat and transfer it to the radiator. Once the hot coolant enters the radiator, it is diverted into a set of thin tubes that look like fins. Air enters through the radiator grille and reduces the temperature of the coolant as it blows across the fins. For this cooling function to work effectively there must be air access to the fins and they must be undamaged.

Its not only air that enters through the radiator, dirt, and debris are also blown in they can cover the fins. A build-up of debris can block the tubes and prevent the air from cooling the hot coolant. The fins are also very delicate, and they can be easily damaged by something as small as grit from the road. If enough of the tubes are damaged, this prevents the radiator from working, and your engine temperature will rise.

Broken Thermostat

The thermostat controls the flow of coolant in your engine. When your engine temperature reaches a predetermined point, the thermostat opens and releases coolant to reduce the temperature. Like any mechanical part, the thermostat can fail and if it does it either jams open or closed. A thermostat stuck in the open position will continuously circulate coolant regardless of the engine temperature. If your engine temperature is kept too low, it won’t operate efficiently and you will use more fuel.

If the thermostat sticks in the closed position, the coolant won’t be released at all. This will cause your engine temperature to climb rapidly and it will start to overheat. Driving a car with an overheating engine will cause very serious damage to key engine components.

High Engine Temperature

Your engine is a very hot place normally due to the multitude of constantly moving parts and the heat given off by the combustion chamber. The cooling system and your radiator should regulate the temperature and keep it at the right temperature for efficient operation. The temperature gauge on your dash shows you exactly how hot your engine is. If the temperature gauge shows a constant increase, call us and our technicians will investigate.

Replacing a damaged radiator is cost-effective, as it prevents your engine from overheating and suffering major damage. If your radiator gives you trouble, call our service center right away at Randy Wise Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Durand.

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