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What does the radiator in your vehicle do? Your car's radiator is responsible for keeping your engine at a constant temperature so that it doesn't overheat. How do I know if my radiator needs replacing? Learn to recognize the signs that your car needs a radiator repair! How Do I Know if My Radiator is Damaged? 1. Temperature Gauge is Going Up The temperature gauge that you see on your dashboard should stay somewhere in the middle of the range between cold and hot, at least once your car warms up. However, if you notice the needle creeping toward the hot end, it's an indication that something related to your radiator isn't working properly. It could be the radiator itself or it could be the thermostat that regulates the temperature in the engine. Either way, you need to get it checked out. more 2. Puddle of Fluid Under the Car What are the signs of a radiator leak? If you see a puddle of green fluid under your car, you probably have coolant leaking. Don't let the coolant completely drain out through the leak or your engine could overheat. Have a factory-trained technician determine the source of the leak and recommend the proper course of action. If the leak isn't too big, they may be able to patch it rather than replace the radiator altogether. 3. Rust on Your Radiator If there's rust on the outside of your radiator, chances are there is rust on the inside as well. Rust is a problem because when it mixes with coolant, it creates a thick substance that interferes with the coolant's ability to cool your engine down. This substance can also cause the metal parts in your engine to corrode. If your radiator is rusted, you need to have it flushed so that all the contaminated coolant is removed from your car. 4. Air Trapped in Cooling System On occasion, air can become trapped in your radiator or radiator hose, which then prevents the coolant from flowing through the engine properly. This means it will not be able to cool your engine down as it should. Fortunately, this is a simple fix. Bring your car into a service center and the technician can remove any air bubbles that are in the cooling system without having to replace any parts. 5. Steam Appears from Under the Hood When steam billows out from under your hood, you most likely have a problem with your cooling system. Steam is an indication that your car is overheating or that your water pump has failed. The water pump is designed to move coolant and water from the radiator to the engine and back again. If it's not working properly, your car will overheat. The good news is that a water pump is usually less expensive than a full radiator replacement. Need Car Radiator Repair in Frederick, MD? Schedule with Our Service Center! A radiator failure can cause your engine to overheat, which can then lead to a seized engine. If this happens, you'll need to rebuild or replace the entire engine rather than just the radiator. By observing the signs of a failing radiator, you can limit the damage to your car. Whether you need radiator leak repair or you notice changes in your vehicle's temperature gauges, book auto repairs with DARCARS Kia of Frederick to have your radiator inspected by a trained technician today.