Cooling & Radiator Service & Repair In Las Cruces
To keep the cooling system in good operating condition, it is important to check the level, strength and condition of the coolant on a regular basis - and to replace or recycle the coolant before the protective additives are entirely depleted.
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Check The Level
One reason for checking the coolant level regularly is to detect leaks that can lead to overheating. The level should be checked at the coolant reservoir, not the radiator, because the radiator will siphon coolant from the reservoir when it is needed.
Check The Strength
Checking the strength of the coolant to determine the concentration of antifreeze in the coolant is just as important for hot weather driving as it is for cold weather. A 50/50 mixture of ethylene glycol (EG) antifreeze and water will provide boiling protection up to about 255 degres F with a 15 psi cap, and freezing protection down to -34 degrees F. By comparison, a 50/50 mixture of propylene glycol (PG) antifreeze and water will provide boiling protection to 257 degrees F and freezing protection to -26 degrees.
Check The Condition
You cannot judge the condition of the coolant by appearances alone. It may look like new, but if the chemistry is not right the coolant can be a potential time bomb just waiting to cause problems.
Flush & Replace It.
Flushing is a must when draining and refilling the cooling system because flushing removes most of the old coolant from the engine block. It also helps dislodge accumulated deposits that can plug heater cores, radiators and interfere with proper heat transfer. Just draining the radiator can leave 30-50% of the old coolant inside the engine.
If the coolant contains sediment or there is evidence of scale buildup in the radiator or engine, a chemical cleaner should be used to remove the unwanted deposits.
Radiators
Maintaining the coolant will go a long ways toward prolonging the life of the radiator and other components in the cooling system. But if the coolant is not maintained, corrosion will eventually take over and attack the innards of the system. The most vulnerable components are the radiator and heater core, especially lead-soldered copper/brass heat exchangers in older vehicles. But aluminum radiators and heater cores are vulnerable to attack, too.
Lack of maintenance can also allow a buildup of rust and scale that can clog a radiator or heater core. Heat exchangers with extremely small passageways are especially susceptible to this kind of problem. Once clogged, heat exchangers are difficult to clean and replacement is usually necessary.