Does Your BMW Need a Radiator Repair?

Dec 27, 2021

Combustion and the friction generated by moving parts in the engine generate immense heat, and the radiator serves to reduce the temperature so the engine can operate effectively. The radiator works to circulate liquid coolant to absorb this heat, and the coolant is then cooled and recirculated. If the radiator fails, however, your engine temperature will rise too high and the engine can overheat. As your BMW dealer, we have listed some of the signs that you may need a radiator repair.

Damaged Radiator Hose

Your cooling system is a closed-loop and operates under pressure and at high temperatures. These conditions can cause damage to the hoses, and they may become soft, leak, or crack. A damaged hose will lead to coolant leaking out, lowering the pressure in the system and increasing the engine temperature. Without enough coolant, your car can quickly overheat.

If you look in your engine compartment, you will see two hoses connected to the radiator. The top hose carries hot coolant to the radiator to be cooled, and the bottom hose carries cooled coolant back through the system. We will examine the hoses for you and replace them if needed.

Radiator Rust

Damage to the radiator or its hoses can lead to hot coolant spraying into the engine compartment. This coolant will quickly dry in the heat of the engine, but it can start to cause rust damage to the radiator. Rust particles can fall into the coolant, and either clog the hoses or turn the coolant into sludge.

If you see signs of rust in your engine, this means that some liquid is leaking inside the engine. A rusted radiator will need to be replaced, and we will also check and repair any other damaged caused by the leak.

Exterior Radiator Damage

The radiator grille protects allows air in and protects the delicate tubes of the radiator from damage. These thin tubes carry the hot coolant from the engine, cool it, and recirculate it. The tubes are delicate, and grit thrown up from the road can damage them. If enough tubes are damaged, coolant will not flow properly, and your engine temperature will rise.

Steam From the Engine

If you are driving and steam pours out from under the hood, pull over as soon as it is safe to do so and let your engine cool. Give us a call ASAP, as this steam means that your engine temperature has risen extremely high and your engine is overheating. If you continue to drive with an overheated engine, you can cause serious damage to numerous, vital engine components.

Your BMW is an amazing piece of engineering, and we would like you to enjoy it for years to come. If you experience any of these issues or are concerned that your engine temperature is too high, call us right away at Valley Auto World BMW. Our expert technicians will examine your car and repair any damage.