Apart from their uniquely stylish look, MINIs are also famously nimble and quick. All that speed comes from a surprisingly powerful engine, which would rapidly overheat if not for a top-notch cooling system. The radiator is key to any car’s cooling functions. So if you ever notice one of the following six signs of radiator problems, it’s best to visit your nearest MINI dealer at once for radiator repair.
Leaking Engine Coolant
Coolant is a wonderful liquid that pumps through the engine every few seconds, drawing out the heat. As the coolant passes through the radiator, it releases that heat and is cooled down once more.
On the rare occasion when coolant leaks, the leak is usually located somewhere on the body of the radiator. It might also be found in one of the radiator hoses or at a place where a hose joins the radiator. In the case of a leak, you might see a brightly colored fluid puddling under the front of your vehicle. A coolant leak needs to be found and fixed before the engine overheats.
Overheating Engine
When the radiator falters, the engine shouldn’t be used for long. In fact, it shouldn’t be used at all until the radiator is working once more. This is because overheating can occur extremely rapidly.
Your engine’s usual temperature will be between 195 and 220 degrees while the radiator’s working. If this temperature rises above 230 degrees, the radiator’s water will begin to boil and all kinds of other problems will ensue, including catastrophic engine failure.
How to Know If Your Engine’s Overheating
You might see steam rising from your hood as the water inside the radiator boils. The hood itself will become hot to the touch. While driving, you’ll hear odd sounds such as clicking and knocking as metal engine components start struggling. The engine’s power will also drop.
Fortunately, your MINI’s dashboard will warn you at the first signs of overheating. The temperature gauge will rise into the red and a thermometer-like warning symbol will also light up, signifying excessive heat.
Rusting Radiator
Every now and then, you should take a look at your radiator to make sure all is well. Check for signs of rust or corrosion around the cap and connections. If you see any rust, you can usually clean it off with the right products. But extensive rust might have caused enough damage to warrant a new radiator.
When coolant isn’t flushed for prolonged periods of time, it loses some of its anti-rust properties. This leads to rust inside the radiator, which can eventually eat through the metal, causing a leak. If your radiator is rusting on the inside, your coolant will become a dark rusty brown in color.
How Your MINI Dealer Can Help You
The most important way your local dealership can help you is with periodical coolant flushing. You should have this done every 30,000 miles under ordinary driving conditions.
The technician will also examine your radiator and entire cooling system for signs of corrosion. They’ll run pressure tests on the fan, radiator cap, and thermostat. Any hidden leaks or potential problems will be found and fixed in no time.
Visit MINI of Madison today to have your radiator flushed and repaired. Our team has over 60 years of combined experience helping out the region’s MINI drivers.
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