If you’ve ever had a leaking car radiator, you know how frustrating it can be. Water leaks can cause problems with the engine and other parts of the vehicle that can leave you stranded on the side of the road.
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Over time, heat and pressure can cause the fluid inside of your radiator to break down, resulting in leaks and the need for a radiator fix and if left untreated even an entire engine overhaul.
In this blog, we will identify the most common problems with a leaking radiator, and how you can fix it yourself using LIQUI MOLY Radiator Stop Leak.
How Does It Happen?
Your cooling system is crucial — a lack of coolant can damage your engine and leave you stranded on the side of the road in no time at all. But once you know what to look for, it’s easy to fix a leaking car radiator with LIQUI MOLY.
It all starts when the undercoat on the radiator’s aluminium tubes wears off. That allows water to get in, and over time it corrodes the tubes and causes them to leak.
A radiator is a critical component in your vehicle’s cooling system. It houses the coolant, which absorbs heat from the engine and circulates throughout the car to release the heat in the radiator.
How Can You Tell If Your Cooling System Is Failing?
Look for signs of corrosion on the radiator itself, or on other components like hoses and fittings.
The engine might overheat, which is a sign of a larger problem with your cooling system.
You can also see traces of coolant under the car, especially around the radiator.
Why Does Your Car Radiator Leak?
It’s a question a lot of drivers have. The answer isn’t always easy to come by, but it is simple: age, overheating or improper installation/maintenance.
- Aging – Some radiators may need replacement because they age, especially those made of plastic. This causes them to fail after years of use and exposure to extreme temperatures.
- Overheating – Your radiator can also leak if you have not properly maintained it. This can cause major damage to your engine.
- Improper installation – If you have just bought a new radiator for your vehicle, make sure that a professional mechanic has properly installed it or by yourself. Otherwise, you will soon find out that your radiator is already leaking.
How To Fix It?
Tiny leaks can be fixed with LIQUI MOLY Radiator Stop leak, and a few DIY fixes could save you hundreds of pounds in repair costs. Before we dive into how to fix a leaking radiator, let’s look at how to identify the reason it started leaking in the first place:
Inspect Your Radiator
First, check if there is any visible damage to the radiator or if there is a hole that is causing the leak. Debris from the road could cause a hole in the radiator, so always check for cracks and holes before driving your vehicle again.
Leaks caused by damaged or cracked hoses are often easy to spot because they’re dripping right at the source, which is usually near the engine block. If you open up your hood and find any coolant fluid coming directly from the hose, follow our instructions below to fix it.
You might notice a leak under the car if you see an accumulation of coolant on the pavement or under your vehicle. This usually shows that the radiator itself is leaking.
If you don’t see any visible damage, there could be several other reasons your car’s radiator is leaking.
Other Possible Causes
The radiator cap may not be screwed on tightly enough and might need tightening. A loose cap allows pressure in the cooling system to escape and coolant will leak out of small openings around hose fittings or between hoses and tubes, even if these areas appear fine at first glance.
If your radiator is leaking from the top where the cap sits, then there is usually nothing wrong with your radiator itself. The problem might actually be a faulty seal on your cap. The pressure of driving can cause the seal to wear out over time, so replacing it is all that is needed to stop the leak.
The water pump may not be working properly. This causes your radiator to overheat and start leaking as a result. The water pump will have to be replaced in order to fix this problem because it becomes damaged from running too long without lubrication from the motor oil.
You Can Fix Your Car Radiator Yourself
Fixing a leaking car radiator can save you from having to fork over hundreds of dollars to the auto shop.
The first thing that you need to do is to clean away rust, and then seal it with a radiator sealer.
Here are the detailed steps:
Step 1: Clean the radiator.
Before you start fixing your radiator, you need to clean it. Remove any dirt or rust in the radiator, and wipe it off with a cloth. Be careful not to damage it while cleaning.
Step 2: Seal your radiator.
Now that the radiator is clean, you can begin sealing it. Make sure that you purchase a sealer that is compatible with aluminium radiators because if you use an incompatible one, the sealer can eat through your radiator and cause more problems for you. You can purchase sealers from most auto parts stores.
Step 3: Pour liquid seal into your radiator.
When buying a liquid sealer for your radiator, get one that will work for your vehicle’s brand and engine type like LIQUI MOLY Radiator Stop Leak.
They engineered LIQUI MOLY Radiator Stop Leak to be compatible with any car radiator.
After pouring in 10 millilitres of liquid, you can run your engine like normal and the coolant will close and seal and leaks in the system.
Stop It Before Happens
The key to keeping your radiator from leaking is to prevent it from ever happening. Here are a few things you can do to protect your radiator from becoming damaged or worn out:
Use Quality Parts
Make sure you buy only top quality parts for your car, especially for the radiator.
There are online vendors who sell cheap parts that are low quality, so make sure you purchase them only from reputable sellers who can guarantee their products. This way, you don’t have to worry about your car radiators leaking soon.
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Check The Level Of Coolant Regularly
Monitor the levels of coolant regularly. If you notice they are low or they fluctuate frequently, check the hoses and belts in your system. If there is any damage to them, then it is time that you immediately replace them with new ones before they cause leaks in your radiator.
Keep Your Car Running Smoothly By Using LIQUI MOLY Products
When the radiator of your car is damaged, it can be a difficult problem to fix. The best way to fix a leaking radiator is by stopping the leak with a liquid sealant. There are many types of liquid radiator seals on the market, but LIQUI MOLY Radiator Stop Leak is one of the most popular and proven brands.
Why Do You Need To Use This Product?
When you are dealing with a radiator leak, LIQUI MOLY Radiator Stop Leak works by sealing holes in your radiator and preventing leaks. LIQUI MOLY Radiator Stop Leak fills holes in radiators caused by corrosion damage or other causes.
How Does The Solution Work?
LIQUI MOLY Radiator Stop Leak contains a special formula that allows it to be compatible with all car radiators, regardless of brand or type. It will not damage the radiator and its contents when used as directed. It is easy to use because you simply pour it into your engine’s radiator. After filling up the radiator, close off the cap and start your engine. You will see the leak stop on its own while driving or shortly after you have parked your vehicle and turned off your engine.
Conclusion
A leaking radiator can be one of the most frustrating issues you’ll have to deal with on your car. It can also be a costly issue that will leave you high and dry on the side of the road if you don’t get it fixed.
Leaking radiators are one of the most common issues that many people face with their car’s cooling system. A radiator transfers heat from inside your engine to the surrounding air, but if it is damaged or faulty, it can allow hot water and coolant into your car’s engine.
When this happens, the engine will overheat and eventually stop working altogether. The good news is that there is something you can do in order to avoid having to spend money on an additional part: LIQUI MOLY Radiator Stop Leak.