Tommy's Tips

Radiator Care and Repair

At Tommy's Auto Service, we regularly hear from customers that say their car smells sweet when they park it, or there's always a wet spot under the engine. These are both symptoms of a failing cooling system. In today’s vehicles, high-tech plastic is used for many components, including radiator tanks. While inherently strong, fiber reinforced plastic does have its Achilles heal – seams. Wherever parts of plastic are combined to make a component, there is a seam that can fail over time. Depending on a vehicles cooling system design, engine compartment configuration and installation techniques, some cars and trucks are more susceptible to a pattern of failure than others. The Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Chevy Suburban/GMC Yukon and Dodge Ram are the most common victims of premature radiator tank failure.

Luckily, the solution for most of these vehicles is not a complete radiator replacement. Despite what some car dealership service departments are telling customers, these cooling systems can be repaired. "Replacing the entire radiator is such a waste," says Mark Chisholm, Owner of Tommy's Auto Service. "We regularly hear from customers that were told by dealerships that replacing the entire radiator is the only option. Most of these failures happen in the tank of the radiator, which is only a small portion of the unit. The coils are made of aluminum, and usually have plenty of life in them."

"Cooling systems in today’s cars are designed to be serviced," adds Chris Dunlop, Service Manager at Tommy’s Auto Service. "As with most automotive systems, a good service technician can diagnose the problem and replace the faulty component." Some dealerships are "throwing the baby out with the bathwater," Chisholm adds. "We can replace the tanks on a radiator and save car owners hundreds of dollars. Discarding perfectly good metal because a plastic component has failed is wasteful and counterintuitive."

What to look for:

• Steam coming from the engine compartment when you park your car.
• Sweet smell coming from your engine.
• Temperature gauge reading higher than usual.
• Gurgling sound when engine turned off.
• Fluid dripping from under car.
• Discolored areas on plastic radiator tank
• Leaking seams on plastic radiator tank

Tommy’s Tip #1 – Replace the Coolant in your radiator yearly.

Tommy’s Tip #2 – Have your cooling system checked by an experienced Cooling Specialist when problems arise.

Tommy’s Tip #3 – Get a second opinion when the dealership tells you an expensive repair is your only option.