Radiator Leaking When It’s Cold
It is common for us to prepare our homes for the winter weather. However, we often forget about one important thing – our car radiators. During cold temperatures, the coolant in the radiator usually freezes and expands.
This can greatly affect the radiators and cause it to develop cracks. It is those cracks that eventually result in leaks that bring about damage to your car’s transmission. Besides that, the cracks on the radiator can also cause a ripple effect and completely stop the car from running. That’s why it is very important to take good care of your car all year round.
Causes of radiator leaks
The leading and most common cause of radiator corrosion in the radiator. Over a long period of time, radiators and hose connections gather sediments that cause rusting that later punch holes in the radiator.
Other cause of radiator leaks
• Weak coolant can also result in overheating.
• Poor maintenance of the car can also damage the radiator, for example, over-filling can lead to leaks due to increased water pressure.
• A bad heater or thermostat core can also lead to excess pressure and heat on the radiator.
Why does your radiator leak when it is cold?
One of the most affected parts of your car during cold weather is the cooling system. Since your radiator has a lot of coolant circulation around it, the effect of freezing temperatures is partial or total freezing of the coolant. Why is because the coolant is not similar to the antifreeze – that works in lowering the freezing point of the liquid circulating.
Consequently, the freezing effect can affect the radiator as well as the cooling system by expanding in order to accommodate the frozen liquid. In turn, there will be cracks on the radiator due to the extra stress placed on the system.
In addition, the cold temperatures can also cause the metal radiator to contract. The contraction is likely to loosen the hoses and hose clamps in case they are not tight enough.
How to prevent the radiator from leaking when it’s cold
The best way to prevent your radiator from leaking is to ensure that you take good care of it throughout the year.
Below are some tips that can help you:
• Whenever you visit a service station, ensure that you check the level of your radiator and strengthen the coolant.
• Ensure that you always keep an eye on your radiator when the engine is cold.
• Ask your car mechanic at the garage to check test the fluid – they will probably notice in case your radiator is leaking.
• Avoid cheap coolants.
• When replacing your radiator fluids, ensure that your system is flushed.
How do you fix a radiator leak?
The fact that your radiator is a major cause for engine overheating, it is important to ensure that the problem is fixed as soon as possible. The best simplest solution is to find a liquid sealant product that can safely fix the radiator leakage. Your car mechanic will be best placed to advise you on the right product to use.
In general, radiator leaking is common during cold weather. That’s why it is always good to take early precautionary measures to prevent your car engine from further damage. Ensure that your car is regularly maintained in order to detect such problems early.
