Radiator Failure Symptoms and Safety Tips

The radiator is an essential part of your Land Rover's engine cooling system. This car part works by passing heated coolant through fins made of metal. The fins conduct the heat away from the coolant and release it into the air, reducing the temperature of the coolant greatly. The coolant can then be pumped into the engine block without causing any damage to the engine.

At least, that's what the radiator is supposed to do. Like any other Land Rover parts, however, radiators can occasionally fail. When they do, it is important that you know the symptoms so you can prevent your engine from become damaged by hot coolant. It is also critical that you understand basic safety guidelines when dealing with a bad radiator to prevent injuries from occurring.

Symptoms of a Bad Radiator

Think you have a bad radiator? Regardless of how you maintain your Land Rover, the radiator will eventually stop working correctly. This isn't your fault. It happens simply because of time and normal wear.

When the radiator does stop functioning properly, there are a few symptoms you will notice right away. Acknowledging these symptoms can help you prevent damage to the engine or another other car parts.

Symptom 1: Fluctuating Temperatures

Under normal conditions, the cooling system should operate at a constant temperature once your vehicle is up and running. On your dashboard, there is a temperature gauge that allows you to monitor this information easily. If you happen to notice that the temperature is fluctuating from high to low, something is wrong.

Fortunately, it isn't always the radiator that causes this problem. It could be caused by the water pump as well. Investigate both if you are mechanically minded, or hire a professional to investigate for you.

Symptom #2: Overheating

One of the biggest and most obvious potential warning signs of a radiator in trouble is overheating. When this occurs, the temperature gauge on your dashboard will climb above the normal range and stay elevated instead of fluctuating like the first symptom. When this occurs, a temperature warning light generally presents itself on the dashboard. Overheating means that the coolant isn't being cooled before it is pumped into the engine. This can cause critical damage if left untouched. The car must be shut off immediately to avoid such damage and to allow the Land Rover time to cool down.

If the Land Rover begins to overheat when you're idling, but the temperature is fine when the car is moving, the problem is likely with the fan. Many newer cars today have electric fans that help cool down coolant. These fans are designed to operate when the car isn't moving fast enough to draw in enough airflow to cool down the radiator. They stop functioning once a car is moving. If the Land Rover is only overheating when idle, this fan is probably malfunctioning.

Symptom #3: Coolant Leaks

Coolant leakage is one of the most obvious signs of cooling system problems. This is typically characterised by puddles of orange or green liquid in the passenger compartment or under the car. There could also be green or orange stains found on the engine or radiator beneath the bonnet. You may also smell the coolant when the engine is running.

If you experience these symptoms or find yourself having to replace coolant frequently, you'll need to check the radiator for corrosion or punctures. You should also evaluate the engine gasket and radiator hoses to see if they are worn down or failing. If the puddles of coolant are coming into the passenger compartment, be sure to evaluate the Land Rover's heater hoses and heater core. The leak could be cause by these deteriorated car parts.

Symptom #4: Heater Failure

When a car's heater begins to blow out cold air, many people just assume that their heater has given up on them and quit. This may not be the case. This problem can be a warning of cooling system issues. The heater core is designed just like a small version of your car's radiator, with a fan that transfers heat from the engine to the cabin of the car. If no hot air is coming through your vents, it could be that the coolant levels in the radiator are too low and not being circulated from the engine to the heater core.

Land Rover Radiator Safety

Modern vehicles have an overflow compartment that you can see when you lift the bonnet hood and look at your radiator. This compartment lets you see the amount of radiator coolant present in your car so you can avoid running low. In order to stay as safe as possible on the road, a coolant/water mixture of 50% for both should be used. The amount should land somewhere between the full and add lines on the side of the compartment.

If you do happen to run low on coolant because of a leak or find that your car is overheating because of some other problem while driving, it's important that you pull over right away. Waiting can damage your engine and put you in danger.

When you pull over onto the shoulder of the road because your Land Rover is overheating, do not attempt to fix the problem immediately. While it may be tempting to open the bonnet and begin poking around at Land Rover parts, they are extremely hot at that moment. This is especially true for the radiator. Opening the radiator cap immediately after turning off the car has led to some serious burns from the boiling hot coolant/water mixture beneath. Wait for the car to cool down completely before attempting to check the fluid or add more coolant to the radiator.

Knowing the symptoms of a failing radiator and what to do in this type of situation can help you avoid injury and prevent you from damaging your engine and other Land Rover parts. Before you get out on the road, make sure you check your radiator for leaks and low coolant so you can avoid these symptoms.