One of the most important parts of your vehicle’s cooling system is your radiator. It protects your vehicle from damage caused by overheating, which in turn, saves you money on repairs. Every time your crank your vehicle, heat is produced that can have a lasting and disastrous effect over time.
We recommend to have a cooling system inspection once every 2 years, if not sooner. If you suspect or experience any of the following radiator failure problems, please contact us at 409-842-5578 so we can get you back on the road.
Blown Tank-to-Header Seam: An indication that the radiator has been subjected to extreme pressures resulting from exhaust leaking into the cooling system.
Cracked Plastic Tanks: High stress in the radiator can cause premature plastic-tank failure.
Electrolysis – (External): Stray electrical current can cause an electrochemical reaction that will produce voids in radiator tubes.
Electrolysis – (Internal): Stray electrical current can cause excessive corrosion of metal components.
Fan Damage: A minor collision or a failed water pump can result in radiator damage.
Fin Bond Failure: A loss of solder bond between fins and tubes. Fins are loose in core causing loss of heat transfer and reducing radiator strength.
Fin Deterioration: A chemical deterioration of the radiator fins most often caused by road salt or seawater.
Internal Deposits: Rust and leak inhibitors can form solids that collect in the radiator cooling system and restrict flow.
Leaky Inlet/Outlet Fitting: Leaks in the radiator inlet/outlet area can be caused by fatigue or solder-joint corrosion.
Leaky Oil Cooler: Coolant shows traces of oil. Transmission or engine damage can result from the mixing of coolant with transmission fluid or engine
Leaky Tank-to-Header Seam: Failure of the solder joint results in coolant loss.
Loose Side Piece: Can lead to flexing of the core and radiator-tube failure.
Over Pressurization: Excessive pressure in the radiator caused by defective pressure cap or engine-exhaust leak can destroy the radiator.
Soldier Bloom: Solder corrosion caused by degradation of rust and leak inhibitors in antifreeze. Tube-to-header joints are weakened, and corrosion can restrict coolant flow.
Steam Erosion: Steam can break down the plastic tank which will produce thinning and ultimately holes in the plastic tank. Frequently, white deposits.
Tube-to-Header Leaks: Failure of the radiator solder joint on this radiator’s header and tubes, results in coolant loss.