Your Cadillac engine is highly efficient. This efficiency, however, generates a large amount of heat from combustion. The cooling system is designed to keep the temperature under control and prevent your engine from overheating. The radiator is the centerpiece of the cooling system, but it can get damaged. When you need a radiator repair, your Cadillac dealer in Medford, OR, will fix it. These are some of the signs of a failing radiator.
Damaged Water Pump
The cooling system depends on liquid coolant. This liquid absorbs heat as it moves through your engine. The heat is transported in the coolant to the radiator, where the heat is exchanged for cooler outside air. Coolant is released when your engine temperature reaches a pre-set point, usually 185 F. Once the coolant is released into your engine, it depends on the water pump to allow it to move.
The water pump pumps coolant through the engine at high speed. The speed is important, as speed is essential to counter the heat generated by combustion. If the water pump is damaged, coolant will be released but won’t move. Your engine temperature will start to climb rapidly, and the engine can overheat. Our technicians can easily check the condition of the pump and replace it if it’s failed.
Engine Temperature Rising
It’s normal for your engine temperature to rise if you’re accelerating or driving uphill. These movements require the engine to work harder, and that generates more heat. Should your engine temperature start to rise for no apparent reason, there’s a problem with your cooling system. If this happens, we advise pulling over as soon as you can to allow your engine to cool down.
Several different factors can cause the temperature to go up. There may be a problem with the water pump, as we saw above. A coolant leak will cause the engine temperature to rise as the pressure, and the speed of the coolant are both reduced. Damaged radiator fins can also cause the temperature to rise, as they prevent heat exchange between the coolant and air flowing in through the radiator.
Broken Thermostat
The thermostat is a small valve that controls the release of coolant. When the engine temperature rises above the pre-set limit, the thermostat will open and release coolant into the engine. This valve can eventually jam open or closed.
A valve that jams open will continuously release coolant and lower your engine temperature. If the valve jams closed, it won’t release any coolant, and the engine temperature will rise.
Our technicians can repair any radiator or cooling system problem for you. Call our service department at Airport Cadillac.
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