Radiator Replacement Visalia CA
Radiator Problems
When you encounter a problem with your radiator, it can seem to come out of nowhere. You may be driving to work, getting groceries from the store, or even going on a long distance vacation. All of the sudden, maybe your check engine light goes on, or maybe you start seeing steam come out from under your hood. This type of issue can really slow down your day or even put a halt in your plans altogether. If this happens, don’t panic. At radiator replacement Visalia CA, we are going to give you a step-by-step guide of what to do if and when this situation arises.
What To Do if your Engine Overheats
If you notice something wrong, we at radiator replacement Visalia CA recommend that you do not continue to drive the car as it could damage the engine. Pull over to the side of the road to pause and check out the situation to see what is going on.
At that point, a great option would be to call roadside assistance for a tow. It is always better to have the vehicle towed in order to be repaired rather than driving it to the repair shop. You do not want to continue to drive the vehicle because it could cause further damage and even engine damage, which is a much larger problem than a radiator problem. An engine replacement is one of the most expensive replacements on a vehicle. It is typically 10-15 times more expensive than a radiator replacement. So we recommend staying smart if you encounter a problem. Don’t try to push through and thus damage the engine further.
Only continue driving the car if absolutely necessary (again, this is not the recommended course of action). If you do drive, drive it slowly, which will help keep the engine as cool as possible. Another thing you can do is turn on the heat. As odd as that sounds, it helps in this situation because if you are using the heat in the interior of your car, it will pull heat away from the engine. At the same time you are using the heat and driving slowly, you can also open all of the windows, releasing the heat as much as possible. Even though that might be extremely uncomfortable, it may save your engine. Once you get to the repair shop, you can relax to know that you are in great hands
Safety
If your engine overheats, we at radiator replacement visalia CA recommend that you do not open the hood of your vehicle until it completely cools down, usually about 15-30 minutes. It can be dangerous to your health for several reasons. The coolant has likely become extremely hot and pressurized; it could even be up to 220 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, you could experience steam burns on your face, hands, or arms with third degree burns. Do not take the risk, and wait to check under the hood once the car cools off.
Also, don’t make sure you open the radiator cap until the vehicle has cooled for 15-30 minutes. The reason for this is because if the car is overheating, then the radiator coolant will become pressurized. It can explode like a geyser if you open the cap when hot. The best way to go about it is to wait until it totally cools down.
Tips
In order to avoid these types of radiator problems, we recommend you do regular maintenance on your vehicle or machinery. This will help to reduce the risk of radiator failure and extend the life of your radiator. We recommend that you get your vehicle serviced every six months or once a year.
In those maintenance checkups, we will commonly do things like check your coolant levels or do a coolant flush. We can check all items related to your radiator- your hose and belt inspection, thermostat and radiator cap. By doing this type of regular maintenance, it helps you save money in the long-run so that you don’t need a major repair later on down the road.
Another handy tip is to keep a bottle of antifreeze in your trunk just in case you notice that the level is low. This way, you can fill as needed at any point of your driving to and from. Making sure your coolant is full is beneficial to the engine of the vehicle to avoid overheating and other problems.
You can also check your car’s thermostat from time to time. It is located under the hood, usually between the engine and the radiator. If you know to keep an eye on that level, it can help you avoid a big repair in the future.
Lastly, another helpful thing that you could do is to make sure to not overuse the air conditioning. All of these things combined will put you in a better place to avoid radiator repair and replacement.
Common Problems
When it comes to radiator repair or radiator replacement Visalia CA, we have you covered when it comes to common problems. Common radiator problems include leaks in the hoses, low coolant, rusty surfaces, sludge, water pump failure, thermostat failure, or heater core issues. Any of these issues can cause overheating or problems of many kinds. These are the most common issues we see on a daily basis. We are able to assess the situation and offer you the best solution at a reasonable cost. We want to get you going on your way as soon as possible.
General Info
We are here to serve you! At Visalia Radiator Service, we are happy to assist you with all of your needs for radiator replacement Visalia CA. We are a family owned and operated company since 1980, and over the years we have become Central Valley’s leading radiator specialists. We are here to make sure your radiators and cooling systems are in peak condition. At radiator replacement Visalia CA, we are here for YOU! Call us today for all of your radiator needs!