How long should AC coolant last?
about 12-15 years
The short answer is that your AC compressor and refrigerant should last about 12-15 years.
When to see a mechanic about your Radiator?
As soon as you notice leaking coolant, your vehicle keeps overheating, you have low coolant, or sludge in your radiator, contact a mechanic to make repairs to your cooling system. YourMechanic makes getting repairs to your radiator easy by coming to your home or office to diagnose or fix issues.
What should the coolant look like in a bad radiator?
Sludge in the radiator The coolant in your vehicle should be yellow or green or red normally. As the radiator goes bad, contaminants discolor the fluid making it a rusty or oil color. This turns into sludge and the fluid will not be able to cool the engine efficiently because it will not drain properly and remain in the radiator.
Why is it important to have a good radiator?
Coolant absorbs this heat, then passes it through the radiator where it is cooled off. The coolant is then circulated back to the engine. The radiator is the main component of the cooling system, so it is important that it is in good working condition. If you suspect your radiator is going bad, watch for the following symptoms: 1.
What happens when a car radiator goes bad?
As the radiator goes bad, contaminants discolor the fluid making it a rusty or oil color. This turns into sludge and the fluid will not be able to cool the engine efficiently because it will not drain properly and remain in the radiator. This can be from a failing radiator for vehicles that contain a transmission cooler inside the radiator.
What happens when coolant is never in the radiator?
This will only add insult to injury! When coolant never has a chance to give up heat via the radiator, it gets hotter and hotter, especially if you’re stuck in traffic. And even on the open road, coolant never has a chance to park in the radiator long enough to give up heat energy to the atmosphere. Never operate your engine without a thermostat!
What do you need to know about aftermarket radiators?
Aftermarket radiators are popular upgrades, but you should also pay attention to your radiator cap. Your coolant is under pressure to keep the boiling point as high as possible. That’s why you you want the highest pressure cap rating suitable for your application.
Can a clogged radiator cause engine damage?
A clogged radiator can cause overheating, which could result in engine damage. You can find the recommended service schedule listed in your owner’s manual. Usually, in the manual, you’ll find a radiator flush listed as a “coolant service” or something similar. There are two ways to clean the radiator: internally and externally.
Why does a radiator need to be strong at high speed?
At high speed, the radiator slipstream should be strong enough to carry heat from the radiator. When air is moving too fast, you get into boundary layer issues where heat doesn’t get carried away because air isn’t actually touching fins and tubes. You want air to move slowly enough across fins and tubes to where it carries heat away.